James Riley
Sunday, 02 May 2010 22:04
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Government is considering another round of public consultation on its controversial internet filter plans, this time to fine tune the transparency and accountability measures attached the complaints-based blacklist scheme.
The legislation was already unlikely to get introduced to the parliament before the June sitting, and even a short public consultation would almost certainly push its introduction back further.
Which means this legislation probably won't get looked at until the after the Federal election.
This is a difficult issue for both sides of politics, and as much as Government might be gaming the drafting of the legislation to keep it out of the way of an election campaign, the Opposition is likely to just as pleased not to have to come to grips with a firm position.
The mandatory internet filter policy is not, as some might suggest, electoral poison. But it's not exactly a ray of sunshine either. It is about as polarising an issue as you will find anywhere in contemporary Australia. The internet filter generates enormous heat – genuine anger and angst – among those who are strongly opposed to it. But equally, its goals find a quieter form of support among many in mainstream Australia.
It's just difficult. In its most simplified form: Nobody wants kids unnecessarily exposed to materials that would be Refused Classification by the classifications board. And equally, nobody wants to see censorship of the internet.
But just because it's difficult doesn't mean the Rudd Government isn't committed to seeing its filter plans passed into law. It is committed to scheme, and a delay until after the election has the added advantage of giving it – should Labor retain power – a somewhat more airtight mandate to move ahead with the policy.
Of course anything can happen in an election year. And in an immediate post-election environment. But if Kevin Rudd remains PM, you can be sure the filter will remain on the agenda.
The politics are as cloudy as ever.
