Robert Andrews

I sincerely doubt this will be posted, but here goes: I have just emailed this to Senator Conroy. I'll be intrigued as to whether I get a response... Dear Mr Conroy I write to express my heartfelt concern and deep horror at your unprecedented attack on the free speech and rights of the Australian people. Your hell-bent, passionate course of exercising state control over the internet is something I would never have expected any freely-elected Member of Parliament of Australia to introduce. It is the most un-Australian piece of proposed policy I have ever seen. The fact it will make our nation the subject of international ridicule is irrelevant next to the destructive impact this ill-considered, unwarranted act will have on business and individuals in Australia. I own a business that provides income for the families for 12 people in Australia. Our entire business is based on internet communication, the dissemination of news and views on business topics via the internet, and e-commerce. Your incomprehensible desire to implement state control over our primary form of communication will, by the assessment of independent, apolitical experts on the internet and technology, slow the nation's online traffic, place strain on the internet infrastructure, and mask or block numerous sites which are legitimate and legal. I have this morning checked online the definition of the term 'fascism'. Never would I have ever believed that I would have cause to use the term in describing an elected member of the Australian Parliament, a member of a political party holding power. But Wikipedia provides the following definition: "Fascism is an authoritarian or totalitarian nationalist ideology." I cannot think of a better description for your personal political stance on this issue. In the face of enormous opposition from the very people who put you into office, you are over-riding their concerns and arguments in a personal crusade hell-bent on enforcing state control on the internet surfing and e-commerce activities of every Australian. I have never previously supported organisations like Get Up!, which I previously considered extremist and marginal. But this week I found myself joing a growing list - in excess of 85,000 the last time I checked - who have publicly stated their opposition to your fascist crusade. And for the first time in my life I am now contemplating joining a street protest. I will march on the streets arm in arm with ordinary Australians and do everything it takes to fight your fascist ideology, Mr Conroy. It is a truth that very few people in this nation have tolerance or acceptance of child pornography. I am certainly opposed to it and never want to view it. But there are far better ways of addressing this than censoring the rights of ordinary Australians to utilise the most revolutionary communications medium in history. Just talk to people who actually understand the internet and information technology. Clearly you know nothing about it personally. Please, for the sake of law-abiding Australians once protected by the right to freedom of speech, do not allow your fascist agenda, to ruin our rights and taint your democratically-elected government's standing. This draconian, deplorable policy will have no positive benefits in reducing the circulation of child pornography - if you truly believe that you have no qualification to hold the role of communications minister because you clearly have no understanding of technology or the internet. The very people you are trying to block this obscene content from will be able to access it by other online means, off-web. The rest of us will be forced to endure slower internet connectivity, the blocking of innocent sites, and the very real prospect that this and future governments will start to expand the use of the 'technology' to block other views and content contrary to its own agenda. For the sake of the freedom and prosperity of Australia, drop this ill-conceived nonsensical policy as soon as possible. Or forever hold your head in shame in the knowledge you have personally ruined the sacred right to freedom of speech, commerce and expression that you, of all people, as an Australian should hold dear. Robert (Surname withheld) Ordinary Australian resident.