In last year’s budget, the federal government introduced a $9.8 million program to assist ISPs in offering voluntary filtering measures. In last night’s budget announcement, that program was scrapped. Turns out, nobody actually wants internet filtering…
According to the Government’s Budget site:
The Government will not proceed with the Voluntary Internet Filtering Grants Program. This will provide savings of $9.6 million over three years.
The Government provided $9.8 million in the 2010‑11 Budget to establish the Voluntary Internet Filtering Grants Program to assist internet service providers (ISPs) to offer customers internet filtering options on a commercial basis. However, consultation with industry has identified limited interest in the grants due to the increasing range of filtering technologies readily available to online users, including browser and search engine filters, and the decision of the three largest ISPs, which account for over 70 per cent of Australian internet users, to voluntarily filter child abuse sites using a list compiled and maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Savings from this measure will be redirected to support other Government priorities.
This isn’t an indication that the Government has decided to can its own mandatory internet filter though – ultimately, we’re still waiting for the review of the classifications system to happen before we hear any more on that front. But at least now we know that a heap of money won’t be wasted on something nobody wants or needs.
Outdoor guy
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 5:59 PMIt’s not that we don’t need them. It’s just that we don’t realize it is being filtered.
Molokov
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 6:27 PM“Turns out, nobody actually wants internet filtering…”
Well that’s not true. I thought according to the polls done over the last few years, that perhaps 2% of the population wanted filtering.
You know, the people who don’t use the internet.
And of course, if 2% of the population want something, EVERYONE MUST have it, according to the Government.
Bob
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 7:43 PM$9.6 million over three years. I hope they realise that the mandatory filter would cost hundreds of millions in those 3 years to maintain without being remotely successful.
Brendan
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 8:12 PM$9.8 – $9.6 = $0.2mil spent calling ISPs only for them to say piss off?
LumpyJoe
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 9:15 PM“and the decision of the three largest ISPs, which account for over 70 per cent of Australian internet users, to voluntarily filter child abuse sites using a list compiled and maintained by the Australian Communications and Media Authority.”
so, there is a list that is being filtered without requiring end users to voluntarily request it?
RobbyM
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 12:09 PMGiven that the federal budget increased the Chaplins in Schools program from $300 odd million to over $500 million, I’d say the Australian Christian Lobby still hold their position of power and their Mandatory Internet Filter is still on the agenda.
A big question is whether anyone wanting to use the NBN will have to Opt-in on the Mandatory Internet Filter is yet to be answered.
Devz
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 5:15 PMYour NBN will be filtered. Have a nice day.
Sicarius123
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 10:14 PMA voluntary filter would be great, I’m sure plenty both want and need this.
A mandatory filter is a god awful idea pushed by Conroy.