🚀 go-pugleaf

On Monday night I attended the WA Labor Party State Executive Meeting
and on Wednesday Night I attended a function at the office of Michelle
Roberts (MLA for Glendalough). At both of these functions I approached
a number of our Representatives and asked them about the forthcoming
legislation of the Internet. Here's what they had to say:

Jim McGinty (MLA for Fremantle, Leader of the Opposition) wasn't sure
when the WA Censorship Bill of 1995 would be enacted in WA Parliament
but didn't forsee it occuring until about March next year. He had no
comment on the Senate Report as he said he hadn't had a chance to read
it yet.

Ted Cunningham (MLA for Marangaroo)stated that the Bill wasn't on the
agenda for the rest of the year and that he didn't forsee it being
enacted until about April. However, there was always the chance that
someone would push it through and that it could come in as early as
February. When I informed him of a couple of points of the Senate
Report he "Hmmm...'d" and said it sounded "a bit harsh". "How are they
ever expecting to police it?". My reply was, "Who knows?".

Michelle Roberts (MLA) was also of the opinion that the Assembly
wouldn't see the Bill until about April. When I pressed her any
further on it she directed me to Tony Roberts (ALP legal adviser). She
was also very ill with conjunctivitis so it's no wonder she didn't
want to discuss it with me.

Tony Roberts and I discussed both matters (including the Victorian
Legislation) at length. He is of the opinion that any State
Legislation that comes out with regards to _anything_ to do with
telecommunications is doomed to fail the first time it hits the
courts. He even went so far as to say that both the WA Censorship Bill
and the Victorian Bill were in direct contravention to the
Constitution (where it deals with online communications). [Sounds like
someone to use to the EFA/WAIA's advantage here, folks.]

Lastly, both Michelle and Tony informed me that Diane Warnock (MLA for
Perth) will be hosting a "special night" with regards to the Bill and
that I could attend if I wished. It will be open to the public but
bookings need to be made. If you wish to attend let me know and I'll
call her Electorate Officer, Jane, and ensure that a seat is booked
for you. Make sure that you let me know by 3.00pm next Monday (18th
December) so that I can phone all the bookings through at one time.
Reply to this post, e-mail me, or call me direct on (09) 459 8822.

TTFN,
Paul McCutcheon
President
Western Australian Internet Society (Inc.)