The Wire

If you’re a parent and you’re worried about your children surfing dangerous websites on the internet, ensuring their activity is safe can be challenging to say the least. The solution, according to Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley this week, is to introduce mandatory laws requiring internet service providers to block everyone from visiting prohibited sites. Labor’s stance is a backflip from last year, when they recommended the money would be better spent on internet filtering software for parents. The internet blocking policy is also not a new one, with the Family First Party launching a similar idea in 2004. Although it represents a Labor crackdown on dangerous websites, concerns have been raised about the policy’s costly program and it’s limitations on free speech. After contacting both the Australian Labor party and Family First party offices, The Wire was told each spokesman was unavailable for comment. However, independent consultancy group Electronic Frontiers Australia has been closely assessing all of the policies thrown about in parliament. Andrew Green asked the EFA Executive Director, Irene Graham how Kim Beazley’s proposal is different from the Coalition’s existing legislation. She says an independent internet consultant found the plan would foot a bill of $45 million to kick-start and a further $33 million annually to operate.