Demands by GetUp for Conroys internet filter to be dropped

Following a recent decision by a second internet service provider to drop out of the planned trial the lobbying group GetUp have told the Federal Government that it should abandon it plans for internet filtering.

iiNet, the third largest internet provider in Australia cited “corporate social responsibility” concerns when it informed the government on Monday that it would no longer be taking part in the trial.

Also, preferring to test its own technology, the largest telco in the country, Telstra, is out as well, whilst negotiations over its participation are underway between the government and Optus.

GetUp, the online advocacy group said recently that it was now time that the trial had the plug pulled on it. Simon Sheikh, the national director said “It’s high time the Federal Government faces facts and dumps its plans to censor the web.”

Demonstrating that the internet filter plan was both a waste of taxpayers’ money and fundamentally flawed was the only reason that iiNet said it would be participating in the trail.

Michael Malone, the managing director said “It became increasingly clear that the trial was not simply about restricting child pornography or other such illegal material.”

Without any kind of explanation of what was to be included the government instead said that it was about a far wider range of issues included what is described simply as “unwanted material”. The filter would not pick up most illegal material as it could still be distributed using peer-to-peer networks said Malone. An evidence-approach to policy is currently being taken according to the government.

In a recent statement Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said that without the trial is would be too hard to determine exactly what unwanted material could essentially be blocked by the internet filter.

The launch of a national television advertising campaign against the trial of the internet filter is planned by GetUp with next month expected to be to air date.