Conroy delays internet filter because of election back lash

Controversial policy to filter the internet have been shelved by the Gillard government for at least two years.
As the government clears the decks for the coming federal election and dealing with a fierce backlash against the policy, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy yesterday planned a year-long review into subject matter that has been refused classification. He said laws for the filter would not be released until the review was completed.

And a spokesman for Senator Conroy said the filter -- that  was a 2007 Labor election promise -- would not be carried out until 12 months following the legislation was approved. While Senator Conroy insisted the government's resolve toward introduce a compulsory internet filter had not changed, the opposition said the postponement was a "humiliating backdown". The deferral comes after a fierce anti-filter campaign from activist organisation Get-Up! and condemnation from internet companies such as Google, and the US government. They have warned that the filter will not be of use, would slow the internet and would set a precarious precedent for web censorship.

Greens senator Scott Ludlam said it was clear the government did not have the stomach to discuss the filter in the course of the election campaign. "I think what it is doing is giving the government time plus a bit of a get-out clause to have an evidence-based policy," he said. Senator Ludlam said the filter, which has been strongly supported by church groups, would not eliminate child pornography from the internet, most of which was traded on peer-to-peer networks rather than on live websites. "It will not take a solitary picture off the web, won't point to a single prosecution and it will not lead to any of this information being taken down," he said.

Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Karim Temsamani said he was happy the government had taken account of "genuine concerns" regarding refused-classification content.
"While our standing on the government's future filter has not changed, we approve of the recommendation to conduct a review of the RC classification," Mr Temsamani said. "Our main concern has always been that the scope of the planned filter is far too broad. It goes way further than child sexual abuse information and would block access to important online information for all Australians."

The review was introduced as three of Australia's largest internet service providers -- Telstra, Optus and Primus -- agreed to block a list of child abuse websites compiled by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Senator Conroy said the government's promise to force ISPs to filter content from the internet had not wavered.