24/07
Wednesday 21 March

Child exploitation - Labor walking on both sides of the street

Labor’s proposed legislation to create new criminal offences for sending child pornography and child abuse material through the post is nothing more than political grandstanding, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan said today.

“The Private Member’s Bill put up by Senator Joe Ludwig is only replicating what the Australian Government is already doing,” Senator Coonan said.

“The Australian Government has a consistent and strong track record on this issue and it is patently false for the Labor Party to suggest that there are no provisions under current law to deal with child pornography and child abuse material carriage through the mail.

 “There are five criminal codes that deal with the distribution of child pornography and child abuse material as well as a prohibition on the importation of child pornography and child abuse material in the Customs Act 1901.

 “Over seven years ago, the Howard Government established the Online Content Scheme, which requires Internet Service Providers and hosts to take down offensive and criminal material from their systems and provides significant penalties including criminal penalties for any failure to do so.

“In addition, ISPs are legally required to refer material to the Australian Federal Police for investigation if it involves child pornography. I remind Australian families that the Labor party voted against this legislation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate,” Senator Coonan said.

“The Howard Government has long recognised the importance of protecting families and children from exploitation and illegal content, both in print and electronic forms. In fact, with the new $116 million Protecting Australian Families Online program where every family will be entitled to a free internet filter for their home computer, Australia is a world leader. ”

“And while I am prepared to consider all and any sensible proposals to further enhance the Government’s comprehensive measures already in place, simply replicating what we are already doing is an empty gesture by the Labor Party designed to try and deal themselves back into this debate after being missing in action for nearly a decade.

“Labor is now walking on both sides of the street. As Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs for the past three years, Senator Ludwig has never once raised this topic with me and his manufactured concern since his appointment to Shadow Attorney General a fortnight ago smacks of political catch-up.”

“This issue is every parent’s nightmare and must be above politics. I encourage Senator Ludwig and Labor to put aside the game-playing and start supporting existing Government measures to protect young people and bring to justice those criminals that trade in the exploitation of children,” Senator Coonan said.