Geoffrey - Melbourne

A good case can be made that the Enlightenment in Europe created the environment for the rapid development of the West. Central to the Enlightenment was rational consideration of ideas and free speech. One alternative model of government, the awful and failed experiment of communism that required abolition of free speech was parodied by George Orwell in 1984: the stunted and limited language of Newspeak was an essential feature. To refer to internet filtering as “enabling” the digital economy is an excellent example of Newspeak. Another important element is a legitimate legal system, in which the presumption of innocence is an important principle. I’m simply astonished that the current government can consider Internet Filtering. It ignores the facts of history. It will be a technical nightmare. It will preclude Australia from becoming a centre of excellence in the world. Those who want to avoid the controls can do so easily. It makes us look archaic, not part of the modern world. It puts us on a par with China, surely a linkage very few would want. The principle of presumption of innocence is compromised. It makes me very concerned about the decision making process in Canberra. How is it that a number of presumably intelligent people can put their heads together and create ideas like this, and then attempt to force it onto the people, most of whom do not want it?