Ms Nicola Roxon
Attorney-General
Minister for Emergency Management

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity

Government backs the Stop the Trolls Campaign

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, and the Attorney-General Nicola Roxon today voiced their support for the Daily Telegraph’s ‘Stop the Trolls’ campaign.

“Abusive and harassing behaviour on social networking sites, like Twitter, can have devastating consequences,” Senator Conroy said.

“I congratulate the Daily Telegraph for this worthwhile initiative.”

The Gillard Government has provided $125 million in funding for cybersafety initiatives over the past 5 years, increasing funding for cybersafety education, awareness-raising activities and law enforcement.

This includes the Easyguide to Socialising Online, which provides information on the safety features of 27 social networking sites, search engines and online games. The Government has also funded a free downloadable Cybersafety Help Button, which provides easy online access to the cybersafety information and assistance available in Australia.

Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said that cyber bullying is reprehensible and has no place in our society.

“It is against the law to use social media in a harassing way,” Ms Roxon said.

“What we need is strong cooperation– from governments, law enforcement and the community. But we also need the assistance of US based social networks like Twitter.

“I have already discussed this issue with the NSW Government and want to work cooperatively with all my state counterparts.”

The resources available to help people stay safe online include:

• The Easyguide to Socialising Online - www.dbcde.gov.au/easyguide. 
• The Cybersafety Help Button - http://www.dbcde.gov.au/online_safety_and_security/cybersafetyhelpbutton_download
• Cybersmart online - http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

Date: 12 September 2012
Contacts: Adam Sims (Senator Conroy’s Office) – 0408 258 457
Carla De Campo (Ms Roxon’s Office) – 0408 567 720