NetAlert, the internet education body, has had its funding cut by two-thirds in yesterday’s budget.
NetAlert was set up to educate and empower parents so that they can protect their families from unwanted adult content on the web.
NetAlert has been hamstrung by the Coalition since its inception, receiving only $1.5 million per year to educate the rapidly growing internet using community in Australia. Now it will receive just one-third of this amount.
In March, NetAlert’s executive director, Alan Tayt, requested that the Minister fund NetAlert adequately. Mr Tayt estimated that NetAlert required between $7 to $10 million over the next three years, but in this Budget, the Minister has only responded with a token sum – even less than what was previously received.
The pittance given to NetAlert leaves it under-funded, and makes a mockery of the Howard Government’s own emphasis on the importance of educating and empowering parents and families using the internet.
14 May 2003. Media contact: Adina Cirson – (02) 6277 3334 or the Electorate Office – 0418 488 295.
