Colin

How can so many people be in opposition to a policy designed to filter content intended for a particular demographic? If you are not in that seedy demographic you would want the filter. Ratings work successfully across our television programming and I am thankful for it. As a parent and reasonably well educated Australian I applaud where this innovative Australian government is going with respect to internet filtering. Of course I am pleased with it. At a time when the world needs to focus on the environment, a fuel crisis, financial crisis and security issues, who would want the internet to provide access to issues that potentially corrupt our lifestyles? Internet filters sustain our egalitarian lifestyles and clear the way for us to achieve our dreams. In terms of the democratic use of blogs, of course governments can use them successfully. They do this all over the globe. Three levels of Australian government currently consult communities. There are always people willing to skew the debate. Feedback provides qualitative data also however. This means that the government learns about a range of concepts that supplement findings from other randomly based, statistically relevant and highly accurate survey and consultation processes. Regarding the quality of the blog interface, well I think you need to strike a balance between formality and accessibility. Who would want a blog that does not emphasise that what you write here counts for something? This is a nationally significant forum, not a face-book backwater. This is a place where people need to say what they mean, and mean what they say - where opinions lead others. Over personalisation of the interface could also reduce one’s ability to be candid. So the right balance is necessary. Good on you AGIMO, Kevin and Minister Conroy. You are keeping pace with the best of global leadership and giving confidence to those who want a stronger more effective democracy.