The Australian Greens has released its own cyber-safety policy to rival that of the two major parties, with the central planks being an obligation for ISPs to offer PC- or modem-based filtering technology to customers, stronger cybercrime law enforcement and better research and education in the field.

Maverick Nationals Senator, Barnaby Joyce, has revealed his strong support for the filter and dissatisfaction over rural and regional broadband.

The Federal Government’s proposed ISP-level filtering may have “unintended consequences” on Australia’s national security, local software player, Ey3, claims.

The Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA) chairman has branded Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, ‘cowardly’ for his attacks on the Internet rights advocacy group.

Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, has supported the American Foreign Secretary, Senator Hilary Clinton’s criticism of China and other countries that censor the Internet.

Senator Scott Ludlam represents the Australian Greens on Communications and technology issues. He spoke with ARN about his potential support for a changed ISP filter and the need to use locals and not increased numbers of migrants to fix the looming IT worker shortage.