SAFETYONLINE: Labor’s Plan to make the Internet Safer

The internet is a great resource for communication and learning. It has become a fundamental part of our learning environment. Through the internet, communities and individuals are better connected than ever before. But like all new technologies, these benefits must be carefully balanced against the risks that the new technology can pose. A balanced approach ensures both community support for the new technology and the best conditions under which the technology can thrive.

That’s why Labor believes that measures are needed to make the internet safer for parents and children.

Labor recognises that the strength of the internet is its role as an accessible information and communication resource for citizens, businesses, governments and community organisations. However, Labor also recognises that it is in the public interest that government takes an active role in improving the safety and security of the internet for citizens and consumers.

Labor understands that many people, particularly parents, are understandably concerned and uncertain about the internet and the risks that are involved. That’s why Labor is committed to helping internet users manage their internet content, particularly parents who are concerned about their children’s use of the internet.

Regulating a global technology such as the internet requires careful management. Often what at first appear to be attractive solutions can have downstream consequences, with adverse costs to the community.

For this reason, Labor’s plan for the internet is to combine effective regulation with a strong and effective Industry Code along with assistance for parents, students, teachers and the community to protect them from unwanted content.

Under our plan, a Federal Labor Government will:

	Extend funding until 2007-08 for a restructured and revamped NetAlert service. Renamed SafetyOnline, Labor’s new body will be equipped with the resources and capacity to provide practical and effective support for concerned internet users.
	Provide $1 million to SafetyOnline in 2005-06 to mount a high profile campaign to support and promote the availability of internet safety products made available by internet service providers (ISPs) under the Industry Code of Practice on Internet Content. SafetyOnline’s campaign will focus on internet user education and improved industry technical support that protects against online risks such as viruses, spam, unwanted content, illegal content, spyware and e-commerce risks such as phishing (online identity fraud).
	Improve the Industry Code of Practice process by working with the industry and the Australian Broadcasting Authority to enhance enforcement and ensure greater compliance. Labor will also enhance the Code by broadening the range of online safety services and products as technology improves.
	Join up with other government agencies and departments, such as the Departments of Family and Community Services and Education, for the distribution of SafetyOnline material and information.
	Join up Labor’s SafetyOnline with the Australian Bankers’ Association’s fraud taskforce to improve online banking security, particularly in relation to authentication, protection from malicious spyware and support for online customers.
	Support the introduction of a Spam Code, to provide users with spam filters at the desktop, and will assess the merits of amending the Privacy Act to further strengthen the laws against unsolicited email (spam).