iss Australian Government Department of Broadband, ‘Communications and the Digital Economy Me Elias Bizannes Level § 201 Sussex Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 20JUN m8 Dear Mr Bizannes Internet filtering “Thank you for your email dated 3 January 2008 to the Minister for Broadband, ‘Communications and the Digital Economy concerning Intemet Service Provider (ISP) filtering. The Minister appreciates your concerns relating to this important issue and has ‘asked the Department to review your email and respond on his behal- I apologise for he delay in replying. | am aware that the proposal for ISP filtering has altracted some criticism from those ike ‘yourself, who are concerned that it wil lead to censorship ofthe intemet. However, the ‘Australian Goverment has no plans to stop aduls from viewing material that is currently legal, if they wish to view such material “The Government regards freedom of speech as very important and the Government's cybersalety policy isin no way designed to curtail this ‘The imerne san essential tool forall Australian children through which they ean ‘exchange information, be entertained, socialise and do research. The ability to use online tools effectively provides both a skill For life and the means to aequire new skills. However, while the internet has reated substantial benefits fo children it has also ‘exposed them to a number of dangers, including exposure to offensive content. As such, parents rightly expeet the Goverment to play is part in the protection of children onl ne. ‘The Government has committed $125.8 milion over the next four years to 8 ‘comprehensive range of eyber-safery measure, including law enforcement, filtering and ‘education, Measures include: ‘© Australian Federal Police (AFP) Child Protection Operations Team - funding 10 detect ‘and investigate online child sex exploitation; {5P0 Bon2184 Canbare ACT 2601 Auta tephane G2 6271 1000 = acinta 026274 G01 ‘ens eprnert nattgaca iva wabate Ripnw de ove‘© Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions - funding to help deal with the increased activity resulting from the work ofthe AFP to ensure that prosecutions re handled quickly: ‘+ ISP level filtering - funding to develop and implement ISP fiterng, including undertaking a real world live" pilot, ‘+ Education activities - finding tothe Austalian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to implement a comprehensive range of education activities; + Websites / Online helpline - funding to ACMA to improve eurent Government yer-safety website resources and to make them easier for parents to use and 10 provide up to date information. ACMA will also develop a children's eyber-sufety ‘website to provide information specifically for children, andl improve the online helpline to provide a quick and easy way for children o report online incidents that ‘ease them concern; Consultative Working Group - funding for an expanded Consultative Working Group. ‘The Group will consider the broad range of eybersafety issues and advise the Government, to ensure properly developed and targeted policy initiatives; ‘© Youth Advisory Group - funding fora Youth Advisory Group which will provide advice to the Consultative Working Group on eyber-safeiy issues from a young person's perspective and ‘© Research - funding for ongoing research into the changing digital environment to identi issues and target future poliey and funding ‘These initiatives will tackle the issue of eyber-saety from a number of directions to help clean up the online environment and protect Ansttalian children from the dangers athe internet now and ino the future. Tis approach recognises that there s no single solution to ensure children can access the intemet safely, ‘A-key part of the Government's plan to make the internet a safer place for chiléren is the introdvetion of ISP level filtering. Filtering would cover illegal and prohibited contentusing ‘an expanded ACMA blacklist of prohibited sites, which includes images of the sexual abuse ‘of childeen. ‘Consideration is being given to more sophisticated filtering techniques for those families who wish to exclude other online content. “The Government's ISP filtering policy is being developed through an informed and considered approach, ineluding an ACMA laboratory trial, extensive industry consultation, and close examination of overseas models to assess teir suitability for Australia. Areal ‘world live’ pilot involving ISPs and their customers wll follow the laboratory tial, ‘The Government is commited to working closely with the industry to address any concems, including costs and internet speeds. These concerns wil be carefully considered {during the pilot and will inform the Governments eyber-satery poly.‘Thank you fr bringing this matter tothe Minister's atenton, I hope ths information will be of use Yours sincerely Plime [Lachlann Paterson (Aig) Assistant Secretary ‘Content Programs Branch Broadcasting and Content Division