Canberra’s idea of an internet filter that has proved unpopular with its citizens. Quentin McDermott reports
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Stephen Conroy has come under fire for not revealing information about his recent discussions with the US State Department over Australia’s controversial mandatory ISP filtering plan.
US Ambassador to Australia, Jeff Bleich recently criticised Conroy’s plans on an Australian news programme, stating that “the internet needs to be free”. In a letter to Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Liberal senator Sue Boyce criticises Conroy’s refusal to publicise any information, claiming that “[i]t is a deplorable situation when Australians have to rely upon the frankness of a foreign diplomat to provide information about bilateral discussions on a very important matter because relevant Australian ministers either dissemble or just refuse to say anything.”
The Australian internet company, auDA that runs the .com.au domain registry has been accused of censoring a website satirising Australian communications minister Stephen Conroy’s proposed internet censorship laws. On Friday, Sapia Pty Ltd, the company behind the website, was told by auDA that they had three hours to explain its use of the domain or it would be withdrawn. The firm said on its new site Stephenconroy.com.au was subsequently taken down a few hours later. Read more here