🚀 go-pugleaf

rene@pobox.com (Irene Graham) wrote:

>If that's the case, it's unclear what material Recommendation 6 refers
>to - MA15 to only be accessible by PIN perhaps?

 I have no idea what they mean.  One of the Sunday papers says
this means that local ISP's will require PIN access to access "X"
or "R" rated material, although the report is apparently very
vague on this.  I presume this means access to locally sourced
"X" or "R" rated material.  "X" rated material however, although
permitted under "Australian Cultural Standards" defined in
Canberra, is not permitted in states such as New South Wales,
where legislation makes it an offence to sell it, advertise it or
show it to minors.
 
 One of my objections to the whole thrust of the inquiry,
including some of the submissions,  is that portions of the
Global Internet are viewed as some form of local entity.  I note
they have singled out representations by the West Australian
Internet Association as suggesting that censorship is permissible
under some circumstances.
 
 The fact of the matter is the Internet is global in scope.  I
already have a couple of PIN numbers.  I access news servers
overseas where I have been asked for proof of age before
permission was granted.
 
 There are  Internet accessible Bulletin Boards which can be
logged onto via Telnet overseas ( and a few locally ) which
require proof of age before permitting access.  With such BBS's
one can zip up a QWK packet of conferences ( a method of delivery
known to those familiar with Bulletin Boards ]  some packets
which could well contain binary data, some of which may possibly
contain illegal material (sight unseen until unzipped and
delivered )
 
 The global scope of this medium is being ignored and we are
stuck with euphemisms such as "Australian Cultural Standards" in
an environment where access is itself global in scope.
 
 The findings of the committee and the submissions of some of the
contributors are highly parochial ( in my view ).  We live on a
single planet.  I do not wish to be governed by the cultural
standards and/or laws of Western Australia, Kuwait, nor even the
local laws of New South Wales where they conflict ( as they do )
with Federal law.
 
 I admire the concept of democracy; ie the right to have a
differing opinion, point of view, set of values to the person up
the street or 10,000 kilometers away.  I do not wish to be
governed by vagueness.
 
 Until the values of the western world can be codified I would
suggest that the recommendations of this Senate committee be put
on hold and not rushed into legislation.  I would also suggest
that regional bodies such as the "Western Australian Internet
Association" be disbanded.  We need regional bodies like a hole
in the head when discussing a global medium, unless of course we
are to have a plethora of Internet associations - eg "The
Solihull Ladies Auxiliary anti-censorship Internet Association".
 
   ( sorry Kimberley ] :-)
 
                                             Bob

--
Bob Bain, Sydney, Australia   
bobb@acslink.aone.net.au