WILLIAMS: During the passage of the Digital Agenda Act (DAA), amendments in 2000 the Government undertook to review the amendments in light of their policy objectives. This review is currently being undertaken by the Government.
One part of this review was independent research and analysis on the DAA amendments by Phillips Fox. Phillips Fox produced a number of issues papers for public consideration and also held a number of public fora to discuss the effect of the DAA amendments.
Phillips Fox reported the results of their research and analysis to the Attorney-General's Department in February 2004. The report contained a number of recommendations for the Government to consider as part of its broader review of the reforms. The Government is considering releasing this report to the public.
The review of the DAA amendments has not yet been completed. Some areas covered by the review are affected by the AUSFTA such as ISP liability and technological protection measures.
The Government is using the submissions to Phillips Fox and its subsequent recommendations, in addition to other stakeholder consultations, to inform the form of legislation to implement the AUSFTA.
WILLIAMS: Given the Labor Party is seeking to abolish Invest Australia, how will Labor progress the ICT Investment Attraction Strategy under the Technology Australia brand?
LUNDY: Labor has yet to announce our policies. The general view of the private sector, from the findings of the impressive Australian Computer Society's Pearcey Foundation Colloquiums to the Government's own weak Framework for the Future, is that Australia does not have an international "brand" for our impressive tech capability. It is one of our problems. The Howard Government has been in power for eight years. Invest Australia didn't do its job.
LUNDY: Is it true that the government is contemplating "head-end" filtering of Internet content, ie mandating that ISPs filter content and only provide opt-out for users?
WILLIAMS: It has never been Government policy to mandate "head end" or server-level filtering. In fact, at the last election, the Government's election platform included the commitment to not impose blocking, filtering devices or monitoring requirements on Internet service providers (ISPs).
However, section 95 of Schedule 5 of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) required the Government to undertake a review of the operation of the schedule, including the general development of Internet content filtering technologies and their use to prevent end-users from accessing R-rated information hosted outside Australia and not subject to a restricted access system.
As part of the review, DCITA commissioned work (by Ovum) on the technical capabilities of commercially available PC and server level filters. The Government is currently finalising the report of the review and anticipates releasing it in the near future.
WILLIAMS: Are you still updating your Web site personally?
LUNDY: Yes -- whenever I have the time. I certainly don't want to try and compete with DoCITA's AU$4.8 million Vignette-powered monstrosity. Speaking of which, it would be great if my Web site could be included in the (very expensive) search engine on DoCITA's Web site. That way citizens looking up the Minister's press releases and issues would also get mine! In the meantime, see www.katelundy.com.au (never miss an opportunity!).
LUNDY: You're known to play the piano at parties. What's your signature song?
WILLIAMS: I have found over the years that people like to sing at parties but most only know the words to well-known songs like Waltzing Matilda and Wild Colonial Boy. I try to play songs that people can sing.
This concludes our two-part presentatiton of the question-and-answer session between Senator Kate Lundy and Minister Daryl Williams. And, by the way, Daryl Williams' Web site can be found at This concludes our two-part presentatiton of the question-and-answer session between Senator Kate Lundy and Minister Daryl Williams. And, by the way, Daryl Williams' Web site can be found at www.darylwilliams.dcita.gov.au.
This article was first published in Technology & Business magazine.
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