Bloody Alston

[den]

Senator Richard Alston is the minister responsible for the Internet content regulations that came into force in 2000, which made it illegal to publish on the 'net what it is perfectly legal to buy over the counter. The public inquiry recieved 200+ well reasoned submissions into why this wouldn't work; submissions written by ISPs, technicians, and EFA representives. All of this was ignored so that the Government could be seen to be Protecting The Children. During the inquiry one of the politians waved a sheaf of pages he'd printed out, all full of PORN of the "most disgusting kind!" It must be taken off the Internet! It was also all from websites in the .dk and .se domains. The people making the regulations had no idea how the internet worked.

The regulations meant it was up to the ISP to take action if a complaint was made about a site, and the ISP would have to pay fines if they didn't.

Read about the law. Read why everyone not named Richard Alston said it wouldn't work. The law they enacted drove the erotica industry and online gambling indusrty off-shore, where they are still available from international sites where the Government has absolutly zero influence.

Protecting The Children from Bad Weather (a parody)

And now the Bick Dick will be in charge of Telstra. He doesn't understand the Internet, now he's in charge of the local backbone.


...

And in other news, ursulav has the wombat tarot for sale on furbid.

Comments

[bobbain.livejournal.com]

From Dr. Roger Clarke (EFA Board Member)

http://mailman.anu.edu.au/pipermail/link/1999-March/037555.html

==================================

"The Government's regime will provide that the ABA, rather than a
service provider, is the first point of contact for complaints about
internet content. This decision recognises the limited resources of
many service providers, and the need to provide a speedy response to
complaints".

Possibly already the law anyway (and a position that I have
considerable personal/philosophical sympathy with), and it seems
practical enough.

====================================

3. "The regime will define proscribed online content as:
- any material that has been, or would be, Refused Classification or
classified X under the National Classification Code, and
- material that is, or may be, R-rated and that lacks adult
- verification mechanisms, such as PIN codes, to prevent access by
minors".

Again, I can't, personally, get terribly upset about the basic
proposition. At least, not until Irene points out some aspect I've
missed (:-)}

----------------------------------

In summary, within the constraints of pressures from Harradine, and more
directly from the PM's and Treasurer's Offices (which will be frantic
during the remaining 3.5 months before the change in the composition of the
Senate, in order to get through, above all, the GST nonsense, and maybe
also the next Telstra tranche), my first reaction is that this isn't such a
bad job.

Ask not what your country can do for you.
Ask only what you can do for your country.