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`Dob-in' law to snare Internet criminals
By Political Reporter SUSIE O'BRIEN
09nov2000 the Advertiser

PEOPLE who put offensive material such as child pornography on the Internet
in South Australia may be prosecuted under new laws introduced in State
Parliament yesterday.

Offensive matter will include photos, games and videos classified as X or RC
(refused classification) and material instructing or encouraging criminal
activity.
Under the bill, moved by Attorney-General Trevor Griffin, a person who has
entered the material will be prosecuted and not the Internet service
provider.

This is the first time the law has targeted those in SA who upload - or
enter - rather than download Internet material, Mr Griffin said.

"While this bill cannot be a complete solution to the problem of offensive
Internet content - much of which originates overseas - it is important that
SA does what it can to address content that originates from here," he said.
There would be no electronic monitoring of the Internet and police would
rely on routine investigations and "dobbing in" by members of the public to
detect offenders.

The proposed maximum penalty is $10,000.

The bill also tightens the copying and distribution of offensive videos.
They reduce from 10 to three the number of identical videos a person can
have before he or she is deemed to be intending to sell or exhibit the
items.

In addition, the legislation would strengthen the classification of films,
publications and computer games.

Elements of the bill include:

PROSECUTION of offensive unclassified material may proceed without an
expensive classification process;

REMOVAL of other items taken from premises when more than 10 prohibited
items are removed; and

ON-THE-SPOT fines of about $315 for minor breaches of classification laws -
such as failure to display a classification notice - will be issued.

A further clause in the legislation requires that a parent or guardian who
takes a minor to see a MA15+ film must be present throughout the film. They
may only be absent to use facilities provided on the cinema premises. The
Opposition has indicated it broadly supports the intent of the legislation.
"While we still have to see the detail of the bill, Labor welcomes moves to
tighten up on offensive material on the Internet, while we recognise just
how tough the task is, given the global nature of the Internet," Opposition
justice spokesman Michael Atkinson said.