Argus

You ask two questions: Q1 What do you think the benefits to Australia of the digital economy are? Q2 How do you think we can ensure that those benefits are enjoyed by all Australians? In response I offer 2 answers. A1) the benefits are real and measurable to all Australian citizens and businesses. The rapid and free access to data for information, decision making and trade will translate into real GDP benefits... but before appluading yourselves note answer 2 below. A2) To ensure these benefits you need to have affordable, transparent and fast internet connections. This relates directly to the NBN and Internet Filtering policies of the current government. The NBN must provide an impartial utility style access that provides fast and affordable connection capacity. Please ensure you learn from past telecommunication fiascos such as Australia's cable roll out. We need a public utility for public benefit. Corporate Australia (or anyone) can benefit from this but they should not run it. the desire for profit will take over public benefit if they do. Secondly to maintain transparency you must abandon this ill conceived mandatory filter policy. The technical issues demonstrate that it will slow our speeds. Technology to escape filtering via VPN is already well established and will defeat any filtering effort. New technologies and practices will emerge to circumvent any mandatory filter. The ethical issues of mandatory filtering and having a "secret list" of banned sites are staggering. The absence of a Bill of Rights in Australia is something that I am pleased the government is reviewing but the mandatory filtering policy is at odds with it.