Two follow ups
For those interested in the Aus government's attempt to censor the Internet: you can watch the video and/or read the transcript of Minister 'for' Communications Steven Conroy's appearance on Q&A here.
'More than 2000 questions came in via email, SMS and from audience members, and virtually every one of them was opposed to the filtering proposal. A question from Stephen Davies on this topic kicked off a 30-minute discussion in which Stephen Conroy was challenged repeatedly to justify the filter plan.' Unfortunately they didn't get round to discussing why funding for other programs which are more likely to actually stop online child abuse/pornography has been cut to fund the magical filter...
For Melbournians who care about censorship, privacy, freedom of association, habeas corpus, worker's rights, women's rights, indigenous rights, rights for those with disabilities, humane treatment of refugees, or any other human rights we've had since the 13th century until the Howard government attacked them in the name of security... you may be interested to know that on Tuesday there will be a public consultation on human rights and the possibility of a human rights charter of some sort. According to GetUp, 'You don't need any special knowledge before you go along. These meetings are designed so that ordinary Australians can learn a bit about the issues and have their say.' If no-one shows up, the government won't worry about putting legal protections for these rights into place. If lots of concerned folks show up, they might think again. Details:
When: Tuesday 14 April, 10am-12pm, 2-4pm or 6-8pm
Where: The Windsor Hotel, The Grand Ballroom, 111 Spring St, Melbourne
Details for consultations in other places around Aus are linked here.
'More than 2000 questions came in via email, SMS and from audience members, and virtually every one of them was opposed to the filtering proposal. A question from Stephen Davies on this topic kicked off a 30-minute discussion in which Stephen Conroy was challenged repeatedly to justify the filter plan.' Unfortunately they didn't get round to discussing why funding for other programs which are more likely to actually stop online child abuse/pornography has been cut to fund the magical filter...
For Melbournians who care about censorship, privacy, freedom of association, habeas corpus, worker's rights, women's rights, indigenous rights, rights for those with disabilities, humane treatment of refugees, or any other human rights we've had since the 13th century until the Howard government attacked them in the name of security... you may be interested to know that on Tuesday there will be a public consultation on human rights and the possibility of a human rights charter of some sort. According to GetUp, 'You don't need any special knowledge before you go along. These meetings are designed so that ordinary Australians can learn a bit about the issues and have their say.' If no-one shows up, the government won't worry about putting legal protections for these rights into place. If lots of concerned folks show up, they might think again. Details:
When: Tuesday 14 April, 10am-12pm, 2-4pm or 6-8pm
Where: The Windsor Hotel, The Grand Ballroom, 111 Spring St, Melbourne
Details for consultations in other places around Aus are linked here.