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Coalition to introduce opt-out internet filters to block adult content Coalition to introduce opt-out internet filters to block adult content
(35 minutes later)
Internet filters will be installed across Australia if the Coalition wins government, the opposition has announced in a policy released at the 11th hour of the election campaign.Internet filters will be installed across Australia if the Coalition wins government, the opposition has announced in a policy released at the 11th hour of the election campaign.
Internet service providers would apply the filters to all home Wi-Fi and under-18s’ smartphones, with people having to opt out if they did not want them.Internet service providers would apply the filters to all home Wi-Fi and under-18s’ smartphones, with people having to opt out if they did not want them.
The Coalition said “adult content” would be filtered out, though it did not define such content. The policy document referenced the UK filter – in the process of being introduced – which is focused on blocking porn websites as well as illegal images.The Coalition said “adult content” would be filtered out, though it did not define such content. The policy document referenced the UK filter – in the process of being introduced – which is focused on blocking porn websites as well as illegal images.
“The Coalition believes that keeping children safe online is ultimately the responsibility of parents and others charged with the welfare of children – but they need better support from government and industry,” the policy says.“The Coalition believes that keeping children safe online is ultimately the responsibility of parents and others charged with the welfare of children – but they need better support from government and industry,” the policy says.
The party plans to work with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and their resellers to develop the online safety standards. A default adult content filter would be installed in smartphones. It could be switched off when the buyer proves they are older than 18.The party plans to work with Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and their resellers to develop the online safety standards. A default adult content filter would be installed in smartphones. It could be switched off when the buyer proves they are older than 18.
There would be filters for two different age groups: children up to 12 years old and teenagers.There would be filters for two different age groups: children up to 12 years old and teenagers.
For home Wi-Fi, the Coalition said an internet filter would be the default setting and people would have to ask for it to be turned off .For home Wi-Fi, the Coalition said an internet filter would be the default setting and people would have to ask for it to be turned off .
The Coalition’s costings did not provide a breakdown for its internet policy but the section “The Coalition's Policy to Enhance Online Safety for Children”, which includes the filter, was listed as costing $10m.The Coalition’s costings did not provide a breakdown for its internet policy but the section “The Coalition's Policy to Enhance Online Safety for Children”, which includes the filter, was listed as costing $10m.
“This is a very different approach to the discredited compulsory filter proposal championed by the Rudd-Gillard government, which was abandoned as unworkable,” the policy says.“This is a very different approach to the discredited compulsory filter proposal championed by the Rudd-Gillard government, which was abandoned as unworkable,” the policy says.
“The Coalition’s approach aims to empower parents – by giving them the choice of whether or not to operate a filter at home, but by establishing the default setting as one which provides maximum protection.”“The Coalition’s approach aims to empower parents – by giving them the choice of whether or not to operate a filter at home, but by establishing the default setting as one which provides maximum protection.”
The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has criticised the British government’s internet filter as “ridiculous”. Wales said the money would be better spent on policing internet crime.The founder of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales, has criticised the British government’s internet filter as “ridiculous”. Wales said the money would be better spent on policing internet crime.
It is not known if the major telecommunications companies have agreed to co-operate with the Coalition on the policy.It is not known if the major telecommunications companies have agreed to co-operate with the Coalition on the policy.
Labor attempted to introduce a mandatory internet filter but abandoned the plans last year. While the Coalition initially supported the policy it dumped it in the lead-up to the 2010 election and instead encouraged parents to monitor their children’s internet usage.Labor attempted to introduce a mandatory internet filter but abandoned the plans last year. While the Coalition initially supported the policy it dumped it in the lead-up to the 2010 election and instead encouraged parents to monitor their children’s internet usage.
The Greens senator Scott Ludlam condemned the policy and the manner in which it was revealed. Ludlam said: “Tony Abbott has actually proposed that anyone who wants to access uncensored online content will have to put themselves on a watch list by opting out of the filter.
"This idea is co-mingled with a large volume of unpopular policy garbage that the presumptive prime minister is offloading in the 40-odd hours before the election. It is indicative of the kind of government we can expect to be subjected to on September 8.
“The Greens worked with the online community to defeat the Rudd filter – now Abbott has given us a taste of the contempt with which he intends to treat the entire adult population of Australia."
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