Daily Telegraph editorial: Exposing evil of dark web
EDITORIAL: LIKE an onion, the internet is composed of layers. On the surface are sites that everyone can see and access.
Opinion
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Like an onion, the internet is composed of layers. On the surface are sites that everyone can see and access. But there are deeper layers, concealed by encryption, where wicked and criminal acts are presented for the gratification of child abusers and others who thrill to the destruction of young lives. One of the primary roles of the Turnbull government’s new Home Affairs super-ministry will be to expose and smash apart criminal gangs who operate under the concealment of encryption. Among the atrocities presented by these gangs is pay-per-view live child porn, beamed from Thailand and the Philippines to depraved paedophiles worldwide who pay to watch live-stream footage of children being abused.
“We can save the lives of children here and overseas. We can have a much bigger impact than we are at the moment in crushing these syndicates, both their cyber-footprint as well as their physical presence,” Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton, who will be in charge of the new security agency, told The Daily Telegraph. “It’s trying to destroy the syndicates and international players who are involved, not just here, but in other countries as well where they’re grooming victims, where they’re putting together material to post online.
“It is looking at different ways in which the agencies can collaborate more effectively in the new portfolio.” Additionally, Australia’s top spies will be permitted to use secret coercive powers in order to target and bring to justice sex predators.
“We need to use that technology against these individuals, we need to expose them,” Dutton explained.
“The use of technology now is crucial in this space. It means the ACIC resources with their compulsory hearings could be a way in which we could leverage the AFP (federal police) and it would mean that the cyber-expertise within the ASD could be used to destroy some of these criminal networks online.”
In dealing with these people, the Turnbull government is absolutely justified in deploying any and all resources required. The issue here is not solely child sex predators overseas who operate online. The issue is also the market for their depravity, which, regrettably, exists in Australia and throughout the world.
Shut down the market and we will be some way towards shutting down these evil, ruinous acts.
Time for us to pay attention
T elevision and radio host Zoe Marshall has it all — a glittering career, loving husband Benji, and a baby due in three months. But, like far too many women, Marshall was previously at risk of losing everything due to horrific abuse. A former boyfriend tormented Marshall so completely that at one point she considered ending her life. Now, in a bid to encourage other women to stand up for their rights and their lives, Marshall is speaking out. It is far from easy to hear such a terrifying account, yet Australia really should pay attention. Only by doing so can the full and damaging extent of violence against women be exposed.
Parliamentary Island
Who needs reality TV? Parliament House in Canberra is currently running one of the craziest shows ever presented in Australia. It’s kind of a cross between Big Brother and Survivor, where every day another participant faces the prospect of being thrown out.
It’s compelling viewing — with the only major downside being that our taxes are paying for all of these Canberra shenanigans.
In yesterday’s thrilling episode, former Clive Palmer senator turned independent Jacqui Lambie revealed she might become a former politician due to her possible dual citizenship. Additionally, the Turnbull government moved closer to referring three Labor MPs to the High Court to determine their own citizenship status.
Tasmanian MP Justine Keay, Queenslander Susan Lamb and West Australian Josh Wilson could all be voted off Parliament Island if they are referred and the High Court rules against them.
This is all happening as the government reached a deal with Labor forcing senators to fully disclose by December 1 their citizenship status at the time of election and the citizenship of their parents and grandparents. The abbreviated timetable for senatorial citizenship revelations will give the Senate one week to refer any uncertain senators to the court before Christmas.
Will that be the end of this daily drama? Stay tuned.