Media Release

Howard Government report into ISP filtering

The Howard Government, at the instigation of the Internet Industry Association (IIA), commissioned a report to be conducted by Mr Peter Coroneos, IIA's CEO. The previous government provided funding for the research and it was based on terms of reference agreed to by the IIA and the previous government. The report was to inform the previous government of the IIA's and other stakeholders' views, and international experience.

The report methodology was a literature review of existing studies as well as interviews and surveys. It involved no empirical testing of filtering technology.

The report highlighted a number of concerns the industry had previously raised with the current and previous governments, such as the potential for dynamic filtering to result in network performance impact and over-blocking and under-blocking content. It was not an analysis of the ALP's policy.

"The Government is aware of technical concerns raised in the report, and that is why we are conducting a pilot to put these claims to the test," Senator Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, said today.

"On 10 November I released an Expression of Interest seeking participation of ISPs and mobile telephone providers in a live pilot. A number of applications have been received from ISPs expressing interest in participating in the field pilot of ISP content filtering."

The live pilot trial will provide evidence on the real world impacts of ISP content filtering, including for providers and internet users. It will provide an invaluable opportunity for ISPs to inform the Government's approach.

The pilot trial will not begin until mid-January and an announcement regarding participants will be made at that time.

The Howard Government Report is on the Department website at www.dbcde.gov.au

23 December 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall, 0408 258 457