Julia Gillard confirms support for internet filter

Prime Minister Julia Confirmed yesterday confirmed the Government will continue to support plans for a mandatory internet filter, disappointing thousands of protestors who had hoped a change in leadership would see the policy dropped.

The filter has been on the Government’s agenda for years, and is set to be introduced within the next 12 months. It would block content refused classification, as well as inappropriate material including child pornography and other illegal content.

Gillard told ABC Radio in Darwin that illegal material, such as child pornography, is part of the “dark side” of the internet and needs to be controlled.

”Images of child abuse, child pornography – they are not legal in our cinemas,” she said. ”Why should you be able to see them on the internet? I think that’s the kind of moral, ethical question at the heart of this.”

However, Gillard also said there could be scope to change some of the technical specifications of the filter and said Communications Minister Stephen Conroy may still introduce some changes.

”I understand that there’s a set of … technical concerns about internet speed, and also concerns that somehow this accidentally doesn’t move into taking away legitimate use of the internet,” she said.

Lobby groups and businesses are concerned the filter could accidentally block legitimate material, after a test of a blacklist last year accidentally included the website of a Queensland dentist.

Additionally, analysts and telco industry experts say the filter could potentially slow internet speeds, with many suggesting households and businesses use optional filters provided by third-parties.