Young Nationals oppose internet filter, Rose
Author: Michael Rose
Published on: 01-July-2010
Western Australian Young Nationals have voiced their opposition to the Federal Government’s plans to filter the internet at The National’s Federal Conference, recently held in Canberra.
The WA Young Nationals said they were concerned that the filter would limit freedom of speech and freedom of information, as well as slowing internet speeds across the country.
Despite some opposition from senior members of the party, the Young Nationals held their ground and a motion to oppose the internet filter was successfully passed by the conference.
Michael Rose, Young Nationals State President and Federal Senate Candidate, said it was important that the Federal Government understood the concerns of young Australians.
“Regional Australians already have to put up with slow internet speeds, and even on the surface level, the internet filter has proved too easy to circumvent,” Mr Rose said.
“In addition, a leaked internet filter blacklist from 2009 proves how easily mistakes could be made, with the website of a Queensland dentist being one of the many websites to be accidentally blocked by the filter.
“We believe the best policy is for parents to self censor by monitoring their children’s internet usage, and choosing to install filtering software.”
Mr Rose said The WA Young Nationals would continue to fight to preserve freedom of speech and freedom of information.
