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I am writing to express my extreme displeasure at Labor & Senator Conray's attempt to introduce a mandatory Internet censorship filter. By nature the Internet works through the free flow of decentralised information. These ineffective filters will inadvertently censor webpages making Australians third-world information recipients. Attempts to hinder the Internet through filtering will not only reduce access speeds significantly as shown in clinical trials and statements by ISPs but will dampen any attempt to broaden our future digital economy. Senator Conroy's inability to understand these basic concept illustrates his unworthiness as Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. His attempts to bully the ISP industry and label his vocal opponents negatively again reflect poorly upon himself and have been noted by voters. Incredulously the world is watching on whether we will join restrictive Internet states such as China, Iran and North Korea. Senator Conroy's ineptitude recalls the bungling rein of Liberal's former Minister for this portfolio Richard Alston. Labor's desire for Senator Steve Fielding's approval also recalls the position held by former Tasmanian Senator Brian Harradine. Secular Australia and the basic human right of unrestricted information cannot be dictated by a vocal, uninformed minority. PM Kevin Rudd still has my respect but needs to appoint a qualified person for the portfolio of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and reformulate its Internet policy. The government should pursue a policy of education, policing and the provision of optional home-based software filtering. Labor have no doubt this is primary electoral issue for technologists such as myself and I will be voting at all future elections based on the outcome of this ridiculous Internet filtering legislation.
