The future of the Internet filter legislation

David Heath
Monday, 01 March 2010 15:32

IT Policy - Government Tech Policy

Sometimes, a government's legislation program is controlled by elements out of its control.  So it seems to be with the Internet filter debate.

Although the government was not represented, those present received a good update on overall progress from the perspective of industry players and The Greens' Scott Ludlam who represents the party in the IT and communications space.

The "big ticket" items were all considered and the expected lines of dissent were seen.  For instance, the National Broadband Network (NBN) was regraded by one as the greatest evil ever perpetrated upon the country (I paraphrase, of course!) and by others as a great enabler.  For instance Sen. Ludlum noted that, as an analogy, "We're right at the end of the gas light era.  We don't (yet) know what to do with this new electricity."

A laugh was raised in the room when Sen. Ludlum observed that the current Senate was 'constipated.'  Noting that they don't seem to be able to pass anything.

However, Sen. Ludlum's most intriguing observation was this: "The network filter legislation will not be tabled in the Senate before the next election."

Perhaps this is simply because of the log-jam of legislation in the Senate or alternately a growing fear that firstly it will fail in the Senate and secondly that, if passed, the growing public opposition will assist in the Government's defeat at the next election.

This may give solace to those of us opposed to the filter - that perhaps the filter will die of apathy, rather than actual opposition.

The author attended the event as a guest of MediaConnect.