Rudd welcomes failure of his internet censorship scheme
February 26th 2009 21:39
The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, is closeted with spin doctors this morning planning responses to media questions he will inevitably face later today about his failure to implement an internet censorship scheme.
The scheme, which has been touted for several months as a way of saving Australians from gambling, pornography and other internet evils, has effectively been scuttled by parliamentary numbers following removal of support yesterday by independent Senator Nick Xenophon.
We would like to offer some some tips for Mr Rudd's positive spin response strategy. Try this, Kev:
"The whole idea was in fact an exercise to promote debate on censorship, and this we have achieved with flying colours.
"We are delighted that, in not proceeding with a filtering plan which could have been easily bypassed, which would have blocked legitimate sites and which would doubtlessly have fallen short of capturing all of the nasty content available online, we can avoid slowing the internet for all Australians.
"We are now happy to return to citizens of the country the responsibility of making decisions for themselves. Yes, due to not proceeding with the censorship proposal, we have increased freedom for all Aussies.
"I ask them to use it wisely. If you don't, we will know, or at least we will know if I can get approval for a plan to put listening devices inside the toilet cisterns of every home in the country. Someone get me two large body guards and some private time with Nick Xenophon.
"Meanwhile, God bless you all and God bless America. Wait, I think that should say Australia."
The scheme, which has been touted for several months as a way of saving Australians from gambling, pornography and other internet evils, has effectively been scuttled by parliamentary numbers following removal of support yesterday by independent Senator Nick Xenophon.
We would like to offer some some tips for Mr Rudd's positive spin response strategy. Try this, Kev:
"The whole idea was in fact an exercise to promote debate on censorship, and this we have achieved with flying colours.
"We are delighted that, in not proceeding with a filtering plan which could have been easily bypassed, which would have blocked legitimate sites and which would doubtlessly have fallen short of capturing all of the nasty content available online, we can avoid slowing the internet for all Australians.
"We are now happy to return to citizens of the country the responsibility of making decisions for themselves. Yes, due to not proceeding with the censorship proposal, we have increased freedom for all Aussies.
"I ask them to use it wisely. If you don't, we will know, or at least we will know if I can get approval for a plan to put listening devices inside the toilet cisterns of every home in the country. Someone get me two large body guards and some private time with Nick Xenophon.
"Meanwhile, God bless you all and God bless America. Wait, I think that should say Australia."
smh.com.au
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
maybe im being harsh . . .
i didnt think the internet censorship thing was a good idea anyway
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
Apart from going to war for specious reasons, the internet censorship thing was possibly the worst idea a freely elected government has ever come up with anywehere.
Or am I being harsh?
Comment by Damo
Then again everyone in IT knew that already.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
I am not sure if it was you who ran the original story when it appeared, but I am thrilled to see this int he Orble headlines this morning!
Good news for us all, although i always supported the idea of it protecting the oung an innocent, but without the cost to us all, perhaps.
I wonder if China lost out bigtime $$ on selling the software?
Lilla
Comment by Chris Champion
Vyoos
Zoomies
Bloggercises
The Blog of Lists
Newly Old
Money Whither
As I'm sure you'd agree, Lilla, initiatives to protect the young and innocent are both necessary and expected of civil authorities, but they have to find acceptable ways of doing it. Removing fundamental human rights is not acceptable.
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
I always thought the government's "porn" excuse was nothing more than the previous government's "terrorism" excuse to take away our rights.