Senator Conroy not dropping internet filter despite being 'unlikely to get anywhere'

STEPHEN Conroy says he is still pushing for the controversial internet filter, despite lack of support in Parliament.

Stephen Conroy

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Stephen Conroy last night remained stalwart in his support for Labor's controversial mandatory internet filtering scheme in a heated debate on ABC TV.

 On the Q&A program last night, viewer William Rollo from South Australia asked Senator Conroy whether Labor's support for the filter was pointless, given that it may not have the numbers to get through Parliament.

"The Coalition aren’t backing it... and the Greens aren't too keen on it either. Under the new paradigm it's realistically unlikely to get anywhere.

"Do you therefore think it's fair for voters to see your insistence on this policy as a time and money waster?"

However Senator Conroy said a review of the Refused Classification category of content still had to be undertaken before legislation was introduced to Parliament.

"You don't, simply because you've got a lot of criticism, say 'well I'm going to run away from that policy'," he said.

Independent Rob Oakeshott said he was in favour of personal responsibility in terms of internet use, but he would wait to see the legislation.

Shadow Innovation Minister Sophie Mirabella told the audience that the Coalition wouldn't support the policy because it wouldn't work — particularly as it was unable to block peer-to-peer traffic.

"The filter is not an attempt to deal with peer-to-peer," Senator Conroy said.

He said other mechanisms would tackle the distribution of Refused Classification material through that channel — such as additional policing resources and education.

Australian Sex Party president Fiona Patton warned filter critics not to take the Coalition's opposition to the scheme for granted."(Shadow Treasurer) Joe Hockey may have said he won't support the filter as it stands, but certainly Tony Abbott out at Rooty Hill, of course, said that he would do whatever he could to stop people looking at filth," she said.

Senator Conroy said all Australians would get a chance to have their say about the Refused Classification category of content during the upcoming review.

"The legislation will ultimately reflect the outcome of that review... for people to say it definitely won't be passed — the legislation hasn't been drafted, and that review hasn't taken place yet," he said.