Quote:
Originally Posted by woj
Can someone from AU clue us all in? Is all this filter thing a real issue or just some politician that wants to pass some law that really has maybe 2% of going through?
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Filter thing is the real issue. Our Government has always been a bit draconian for a "liberal democracy". The last Government was the Conservative party and they dropped plans to implement an "opt-in" filter due to complaints from ISP's, etc as to it's actual feasibility. The ruling Government (which ironically is meant to be our "liberal", left-leaning party) seems set on it though. They've faced a lot of flak, and the communications minister in charge of overseeing it has been humiliated more than once on the issue but they keep pushing. ISP's are up in arms and some even fighting, as are a lot of people (which is a rare thing to happen in Australia).
So the score at the moment? The Government seems set on it. However, there are two houses in parliament, the lower house (where the Government has a strong majority) and the upper-house where they don't. Here everyone votes along party lines, rarely are they given a choice. So it will pass the lower house, and it will be a very close call in the upper-house. It comes down to a few independents, the "Greens" aka communists and Family First "Christian party" who are ironically it seems now opposing the filter - for political and feasibility reasons.
They are currently running ISP trials on the filter, I am not sure when they intend to push the legislation through. I think as it comes close it will become a big issue and there is a good chance it will get knocked down in the upper house, but there is also a very good chance (judging by how set they are on it) that they will rally support and implement it. I hope not, but I would not be surprised. This shit is just crazy, blacklists, banning linking to certain sites, outlawing vpn access, etc (which I do not doubt for 1 second they will do). Fucked up!