Internet Industry Association

For Immediate Release

IIA Questions ALP Policy Position on Internet Filtering

The Internet Industry Association has questioned the rationale for the fundamental change to Australia's internet content regulatory scheme proposed by the ALP today.

"We are not convinced that Australian families will benefit from fundamentally changing a scheme which is internationally recognised as the most advanced of its kind in the world", said IIA chief executive Peter Coroneos.

Mr Coroneos added: "Under the government-backed Internet Content Code scheme which applies in Australia, ISPs are already required to provide their customers with access to a filter or filtered feed. Furthermore, these filters must pass rigorous independent testing to ensure they not only catch the kind of content referred to the in the Opposition's proposal, but also thousands of other sites which are likely to cause offence to adults and potential disturbance to children. On top of all this, the scheme prohibits ISPs from profiting from the provision of these filters - they must be offered on a cost recovery basis, and some ISPs even offer them for free."

Under Australia's Broadcasting Services Act, industry Codes of Practice are developed and enforced. The Codes apply to all ISPs in Australia who are required to adhere to the scheme, and substantial penalties exist for non-compliance. These penalties are enforceable in the Federal Court.

Mr Coroneos added: "It is important to recognise that the UK 'Cleanfeed' scheme (upon which the Labor proposals are modelled) was a market-drivien initiative which arose because the UK lacked the strong legislative protection available to Australians. We can't understand why we'd adopt measures that will impose significant extra costs on users, degrade network performance and deliver no real upside for Australian families beyond that currently available."

"For families and those concerned with child safety the message is simple," Mr Coroneos concluded. "Follow the advice given by your ISP and take advantage of the tools and services they provide to shield your children from unsuitable sites."

Ends

More information about the IIA Codes and family friendly filters is available at www.iia.net.au/guideuser.html.  For details of Australia's co-regulatory scheme see www.acma.gov.au.  For general information about protecting children online, see www.netalert.net.au.


For further information please contact:
Peter Coroneos
Chief Executive
Internet Industry Association
www.iia.net.au
phone (02) 6232 6900