Did anyone notice? "Gillard should halt ISP filtering plan: Greens" - The Australian

THE Greens have urged Prime Minister Julia Gillard to put the controversial ISP filtering plan on hold or risk affecting Labor's election chances.

Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said the friendless net filter proposal is one policy that Labor will probably regret taking into the 2010 election.

It hopes Ms Gillard will invest time in an evidence-based approach before jumping the gun on the mandatory internet filtering scheme, approved by her predecessor Kevin Rudd.

"Prime Minister, put the net filter on hold and take the time to review the evidence that it simply won't work," Senator Ludlam said.

 

 

Last week Senator 'censorship' Conroy announced the shelving of the Internet censorship/filter program until 2011. Apparently, so that there can be more consultation with industry and a review of RC (refused classification) content rules across the states.

Firstly. Take note people. This is just another shelving of a program of work of this Government. It falls into the 'pending' tray, along with a number of other major policy directions.

Secondly, the backdown by Conroy can only be politically motivated. This is the man that stood firm, saying he would not be influenced by those that 'support paedophiles' on the internet. This is the man that made it his primary mission. But it failed to get the so-called 'runs on the board'. Unlike the NBN project which still has electorate appeal - for now! Wait on that one, wait for the announcements of cost-blowouts and poor spending! Its there already but being outfocussed by the fact people are having orgasmic-reactions to 'fast internet'.

Thirdly, there is a new Prime Minister, and an election coming very soon. Indeed it would be a bad move to push ahead with a policy that could easily turn sour if it was to push ahead too far before the election.

Lastly, the current Labor Government NEED the support of the Greens. They need this to be re-elected. They know this. Behind the scenes there will be ongoing negotiations on topics like the internet filter, ETS and border protection, to try and gain the preference-vote support of the Greens.

Don't be fooled folks. Its not about doing it right. Its not about getting the best outcome in the end. It is ALWAYS about politics!

Sylvestor