Malcolm Turnbull may not be the silver bullet that kills censorship in Australia, but he does provide a better shot at it than Keven Rudd and the ALP.
At his first media conference as leader of the opposition, Turnbull commented on something that lies at the heart of what makes the current Government and censorship such compatible partners: Labor believes government knows best, the Liberal’s aren’t so vain. That’s probably more of a half-truth than anything, but it’s the first part that counts. The ALP’s Internet censorship policy is evidence.
Kevin Rudd and Stephen Conroy think they know what’s best for you and your family when it comes to what’s flowing between you and your ISP. I’m not sure Turnbull shares the same view. During the Olympics he urged Rudd to send a strong message to China that Internet censorship is unacceptable:
‘The thing he has got to be doing is getting his message across (that) we, as Australians, believe in freedom of expression.’
Freedom of expression? Isn’t that the thing Senator Conroy equated with viewing child pornography?
Turnbull didn’t find out about the web last week either. He was chair of Ozemail between 1994 and 1999 and has a website that rivals a US presidential candidate. His dog even blogs.
Malcolm with his blogger dog. Looks vicious.
When Kevin Rudd was running around the country like a headless chook screaming how revoloting Bill Henson’s photographs were, Turnbull was condemning the police for raiding art galleries:
“I think we have a culture of great artistic freedom in this country.”
He also owns two Henson works, albeit non-nudes.
And when it comes to therapeutic cloning and RU486, Turnbull doesn’t let his Catholic faith get in the way of his support.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not backing the man. It’s too early and he’s got a lot to proove. The Lib’s have a long way to come as Colin Jacobs points out here with respect to their recent push for an all out Aboriginal Pay TV porn ban. A long, long way.
However, if I had to choose on the spot who I think gives Australia the best chance of a less restrictive censorship system, I’d name Turnbull. Rudd and many of his ministers have already shown they have no respect for our rights.
6 comments
Adam says:
Sep 18, 2008
A politician that doesn’t let religion get in the way of real issues?
A light at the end of the tunnel? Or at least a light in the tunnel
Nice post
Mike says:
Sep 18, 2008
Like I said, I’m still not certain on Turnbull, but at least he looks promising. That’s a lot better than nothing at the moment
Stevian says:
Sep 19, 2008
As far a Turnbull is concerned, I think the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train.
Colin says:
Sep 19, 2008
I’m a little more skeptical than you, Mike. When speaking hypothetically Conservatives usually talk a great line about individual rights and government interference, especially when in opposition. In practice, however, the social conservatism always triumphs this libertarian streak. Sooner or later some campaign against sexual license or terrorism instruction manuals will crop up, and you could count on the Liberal party to support a ban, even with Turnbull at the helm.
The current flap of panic and censorship is not that atypical in Australia. The Government’s push to censor the Internet isn’t all that surprising. That it’s being pursued with such zeal by a Labor government is, indeed, a bit unusual. But it’s much to early to draw any conclusion that the ALP is now the censorship party and the Libs the champions of free speech.
Mike says:
Sep 19, 2008
Definitely to early. This whole Bernardi bill is living proof. He’s a one man banning machine. Add in the Lib’s terrorism response and NT intervention and it’s enough to scare anyone off for the next 12 years.
But the ALP isn’t exactly setting a good example either. Rudd’s been in power for 12 months and he still manages to appear oblivious to the concerns we have about filtering. Allowing some room for a top down policy change maybe, but I think it’s more to do with letting Conroy take the pressure while he handles the safe stuff.
Colin says:
Sep 22, 2008
My personal theory is that the Great Eye of Rudd is focused elsewhere – how often would net filtering come up in Cabinet? I’m presuming that Conroy offers assurances everything is going along smoothly and Kev can get on with other business. We have to hope that things will come to a head once legislation is required, when light will be shone on the major technical and political problems, and some wiser heads will prevail.