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Australian Net Censorship Laws Draw Fire
downundarob writes: "According to this story, it appears that at least one part of the Australian Government may finally be starting to understand what the Internet is all about. The NSW Government's Standing Committee on Social Issues have recommended that the internet censorship laws passed by the NSW government should be repealed." This sounds great; getting laws repealed is a difficult process in any country, though.
for the Federal govt also to understand what the internet is about ... and as a result take back control of the infrastructure and make the privately-owned portion of Telstra services only.
... and competition.
Then maybe we will start to see some real advances
My friend here informs me that I am incorrect, there is limited ownership of guns, but many types are highly restricted. Mostly they are only allowed to own shotguns and level action rifles.
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
NSW - Labour Government
Australia - Liberal Government
(Remember, in Australia these are the opposite of what they mean in the US)
This is not to say that the NSW government was stupid introducing the legislation in the first place, but at least they'll listen to the committee's response, unlike Mr Head-in-the-sand-Howard
The NSW Government has this nice habit at the moment of rejecting Federal programs - Feds' say no Injecting rooms, NSW opens one. Fed's outlaw stem cell research, and Bob Carr says he will pass laws voiding the federal law
At the moment in Australia, all the states are Labour, and only the Federal government is Liberal. This is something like every state government in the US being Republican, and only the Federal government being Democrat
It seems to be the ideal situation for Australian voters is to make sure that you keep the federal and state governments fighting each other so they are too busy to pass legislation, and that way they interfere with you as little as possible
It's not about one person. If a million, or 10 or 100 million armed people are ready to fight for their rights, then the government will stand up and listen, they will have to.
I hope it never comes to that, but the story has played out in history thousands of times. Do you really think it's different this time around?
I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
The "law" in question was passed by parliament, and received the royal assent, but has not yet been proclaimed, and is therefore not yet law, and not enforceable.
Electronic Frontiers Australia's information page about this legislation can be found here and the report reccomending the repeal of the legislation can be found here (PDF file).