Internet Industry Association

“Unwarranted personal attacks do not advance the Australian Digital Economy,” Bruce Linn, Chairman of the Internet Industry Association (IIA), said.

Referring to the Minister for Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy’s comments at Monday’s Senate Estimates Committee hearing, Mr Linn said the Association was very disappointed when the Minister used Parliamentary Privilege to launch sustained attacks against officers of leading Internet companies.

“How does this advance Australia in the Digital Economy? What message does it send to Internet users?” Mr Linn asked. 

The IIA would have preferred the Minister to address the range of important questions raised about the Government’s proposals for mandatory Internet filtering, proposals that will affect every Internet user and Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Australia.

 “The IIA welcomes a reasoned debate on privacy and cybersecurity on the Internet, as fundamental enablers of the Digital Economy. The Minister’s comments did not advance that debate in any positive sense.”

About the IIA

The Internet Industry Association is Australia's national Internet industry organisation. Members include telecommunications carriers; content creators and publishers; web developers; ecommerce traders and solutions providers; hardware vendors; systems integrators; insurance underwriters; Internet law firms, ISPs; educational and training institutions; Internet research analysts; and a range of other businesses providing professional and technical support services. 

On behalf of its members, the IIA provides policy input to government and advocacy on a range of business and regulatory issues, to promote laws and initiatives which enhance access, equity, reliability and growth of the medium within Australia.