The Australians having recently kicked out a conservative government are now facing the realities of a Labour one:
Australia is planning tough new rules to protect children from online pornography and violence.
The new Labor government wants internet service providers to filter content to ensure households and schools do not receive “inappropriate” material.
Of course, like control freaks all over the world, it’s all about the chiiiillldreeen!!! Like parents are incapable of looking after their interests properly. Oh, no, the state must decide what is or is not appropriate.
Civil libertarians have condemned the plan as unnecessary, and say it will erode the freedom of the internet.
Yes, well, it’s a bit late for that. You’ve got a Labour government – welcome to the world of the new fascists.
But telecommunications minister Stephen Conroy said more needed to be done to protect children.
And Stephen Conroy knows better than parents what is best for the little critters.
The government is set to compile a list of unsuitable sites, although at this stage it is unclear what will be deemed unsuitable.
Here we go… Doesn’t the Chinese government do something similar?
Critics of the proposals have insisted they have no place in a liberal democracy, and have accused Canberra of being oppressive.
But Australia just joined Britain in ceasing to be a liberal democracy.
But Mr Conroy has been unmoved by their arguments.
The minister stressed that if people equated freedom of speech with watching child pornography then he would always disagree with them.
Um… Child pornography is already illegal. Adult pornography is not child pornography and it is pornography and violence that the government is proposing to filter. Child pornography is merely an excuse, and Mr Conroy is constructing a strawman of epic proportions.
So, this is about freedom of speech and Australia’s new government is planning to restrict it, because they have decided what people can and cannot watch in their own homes. The opt out solution is no solution. Anyone applying to their ISP to opt out will be immediately drawing attention to themselves. Highly unwelcome attention at that. They will avoid doing so in their droves and as a consequence, Australia will achieve the same type of net censorship currently enjoyed by the Chinese.
This is what happens when you vote Labour.