Rudd, Abbott spar over internet filter during on-air ambush

Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott were unexpectedly thrown head-to-head on Friday's morning’s Kyle & Jackie O Show on Sydney’s 2DayFM after the network ambushed the pair, and put them both on air together, Mumbrella reports.

Both men are faster on their feet than you might expect from the limited reports we've had on this side of the Tasman (and Abbott is certainly better than this stunned effort).

Three minutes into the audio clip below, there's a testy exchange over what Mr Rudd calls the coalition's "crazy internet filter" - a reference to a policy that was spotted buried in the opposition's manifesto. It called for software to be installed on every household's internet connection, and every phone connection, unless they opted out - a similar policy to that recently adopted by David Cameron's government in the UK.

The internet filtering policy was withdrawn within 24 hours following an outcry. Mr Abbott says its inclusion was a mistake - but he also says parents should have the option of a filter. And he points out the Rudd-Gillard government tried to introduced a filter (the effort stalled amid practical problems and political opposition).

The topic of mandatory internet filters is an interesting debate, and one that's inevitably going to reach NZ.

Currently, Internal Affairs has an internet filter that blocks access to child exploitation sites, but it is voluntary for ISPs to participate. 

At the time the filter debate was first raised across the Tasman, in 2009, then-ICT Minister Steven Joyce told NBR that universal filtering was not on the agenda in NZ.

"The technology for internet filtering causes delays for all internet users. And unfortunately those who are determined to get around any filter will find a way to do so. Our view is that educating kids and parents about being safe on the internet is the best way of tackling the problem," Mr Joyce told NBR.

Proponents say it's important to block access to child exploitation sites.

Opponents such as Tech Liberty's Thomas Beagle worry that filters only block web pages. Illegal images can still be swapped chat rooms and peer-to-peer networks and other digital means (Internal Affairs has a team of officers that monitors those darker corners of the internet, incidentally).

Mr Beagle is also concerned about mission creep. Once the technology is iin place, future governments could use it for broader censorship, or for political ends.

ckeall@nbr.co.nz

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