Greenleaf, Graham --- "Net-nannies #2" [1996] PrivLawPRpr 11; (1996) 2(10) Privacy Law & Policy Reporter 195

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Net nannies #2

Senate Select Committee on Community Standards Relevant to the Supply of Services Utilising Electronic Technologies Report on Regulation of Computer Online Services (Part 1), September 1995, Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia

Development of policies for online censorship will not be left to government and agencies such as the ABA, if this Senate Committee has its way. This report details the evidence of witnesses at a public seminar held by the committee on 4 April 1995 (held because of dissatisfaction at government initiatives at that time).

The Committee concludes its report by foreshadowing that, despite the ABA's enquiry, the Committee 'will conduct a program of hearings ... on the adequacy and technical feasibility of the Government's proposals'. They also note that they favour the development of software 'blocking' devices, and that the Australian Government should take 'a leading role in brokering an international agreement to a code of conduct for computer online services'.

With continuing parliamentary involvement, and SCAG's request to the NSW government to develop a draft uniform bill, the net censorship issue is likely to remain at least a three-ring circus for Australian audiences.

Graham Greenleaf