National Party votes ‘no’ to ISP filtering
- 21 June, 2010 18:14
- Comments 4
The National Party of Australia has used its Federal conference to vote against the Government’s plan for a mandatory filter.
According to the motion, “The Federal Conference of the Nationals opposes any mandatory ISP-level Internet censorship.”
A spokesperson for Nationals’ leader, Warren Truss, said the motion was passed by a strong majority after “spirited” debate throughout the caucus.
“It did split a few different ways with some older people saying we need a filter while younger people also saying we need a filter,” the spokesperson said. “It was not something you could easily pigeonhole people on.
“There’s been a huge amount of traffic from members of the public all around Australia, both country and city, opposing the filter… it hasn’t been as big as the ETS or the mining tax, but it’s been in the second level of big issues over the last three years.”
While sources in the Nationals claimed the motion’s passing would have a significant impact on the party’s policy direction, it does not bind its politicians to vote against the filter.
Liberal Party member and deputy chair of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety, Alex Hawke, was “very pleased” with the result and hoped it would help him sway his party against the filter.
“I think the basic instinct of the Coalition parties is against a mandatory filter,” he said. “The Government’s heavy-handed approach on the Internet is becoming a problem.
“A lot of people who would not normally contact politicians are very responsive on this. Concern is growing [in my party] as the Government reveals more of its intentions in relation to the Net, such as OzLog.
“I’ve always argued that if put to the Liberal party room it would be a strong result as well.”
Government Senator, Kate Lundy, said she had heard of the Nationals’ vote and it showed many spectrums of politics were against a filter.
“I think it’s an indication that the concerns about it are more about a general principal about openness, transparency and freedom of speech, rather than anything else,” she said.
A spokesperson for Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, said they were aware of the vote and that it would not shift the Government’s resolve to bring on the mandatory filter.
“The Rudd Government is committed to its Cyber Safety policy, which includes education, law enforcement, research and ISP level filtering,” they said. “The Government does not support Refused Classification content.”
ARN contacted the office of Shadow Communications Minister, Tony Smith, but did not receive a comment in time for conversation.
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Comments
Ted
Great, the Nationals can join the 10 protesters in Melb and the 12 protesters in Sydney who marhed en-masse against the filter back in March?
Just about reflects their popularity levels.
A bonza quote from Ry Crozier's article on the real level of public feeling about the filter and it's relevance to Australia in general:
"The lone police officer was reported to have jokingly told the protesters they “should be ashamed” because they managed less numbers than an earlier rally against the cancellation of this year’s high school Rock Eisteddfod Challenge. "
That puts the real numbers of those against the filter at about place 397 on the relevance scale.
Go Nationals!
Jordan
Do Australians protest on any issues? Aussies are a lazy bunch and would rather have a whine to each other than protest. That is more a uni student thing. If Aussies cant do it from their couch , they won't do it at all. This is a large obstacle when it comes to standing up to the man, but it is one we must overcome. So just cause no one shows up for a protest, doesn't mean no one is against it
Bruce
Alex Hawke: I’ve always argued that if put to the Liberal party room it would be a strong result as well.
Anytime now would be good. We are waiting.
against filter
Ted- I guessing you have not been keeping up to date with the amount of people against the filter, the EFF was able to get 19,000 signatures, mine one of them. why don't you get your facts right before you make yourself look silly.
National this is a smart move by your party and I hope it shows in the polls.
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