102/05
4 September 2005
Labor turns up late to the Internet Safety Debate
After six years of opposing the Government’s strong stand against Internet pornography and trying to thwart the operation of the Online Content Scheme, Labor has suddenly realised it is out of step with the Government and the broader community on how best to protect children online, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan said today.
Opposition leader Kim Beazley’s announcement today is a huge turnaround from Labor’s claims that any action to protect consumers online was “sensation and hyperbole”.
“After many years of burying their head in the sand about offensive online content, Labor’s hypocrisy on this issue is extraordinary,” Senator Coonan said.
“Despite opposition from Labor, we have developed a workable online content regime that has required Internet Service Providers to provide affordable content filters to consumers since 2000.”
The Howard Government’s Online Content scheme bans X and RC-rated material from being hosted in Australia and requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to offer content filters to consumers at or below cost price.
Compliance can be enforced by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and fines of up to $27,500 per day can be issued if an ISP is found not to comply with the code.
These codes were recently updated and strengthened and now require ISPs to prominently display a link to internet safety information on their home pages and to provide regular updates on filtering options every four months.
“ISPs are already required to offer affordable content filter products to consumers and I encourage all ISPs to continue to work cooperatively with groups like NetAlert to inform parents of their options,” Senator Coonan said.
The Government also committed to a $30 million Child Protection Initiative, including the National Cybersafe Program, during last year’s election campaign. This initiative provided significant new resources to the Australian Federal Police to clamp down on online child pornography and paedophile activity and to continue a series of education and prevention programs aimed at parents, teachers and relevant community groups.
“Education is essential and $2 million has been provided to NetAlert to commence a national Expo aimed at informing parents, teachers and community groups about Internet safety,” Senator Coonan said.
“The NetAlert Expo will visit every State and Territory in Australia over the next two years, and has already conducted seminars with schools, community organisations and libraries throughout Victoria during August.
“Since 1999 the Howard Government has provided more than $9 million to NetAlert to educate and inform Australian families about how to enjoy a safer Internet experience.”