Issue No 21: 10 September 2019
| Events |  |
|
Like us on Facebook Industry Welcomes Blocking of Terror-Related Websites
The Internet Industry has welcomed the Government's direction to continue to block eight websites that continue to provide access to content related to the March 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Australia’s major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) moved independently in the days immediately after the Christchurch attacks, to block more than 40 websites that, at that time, were hosting video of the attacks or the manifesto of the alleged perpetrator.
The ISPs and industry association Communications Alliance – who were members of the task force subsequently set up by the Australian Prime Minister - pressed the Government to provide some direction, given that the ISPs did not have a clear legal footing for the action they had taken.
Communications Alliance CEO, John Stanton, welcomed the finalisation of an operational agreement between industry and Government which paved the way for the blocking order issued today by the eSafety Commissioner.
“Australia’s major ISPs stepped up quickly after the Christchurch attacks and, of their own accord, blocked access to websites that were hosting the terror-related material,
“Industry recognised that this was the right thing to do, without explicit Government direction, and we are pleased to see the framework that is now in place as a result of constructive collaboration between industry, Government and its agencies.”
The agreement with Government also provides a pathway to unblocking websites once they have removed the offending content.
Industry players will continue to work with Government on other elements of the taskforce-recommended package of measures, including mechanisms to achieve better and more agile coordination of all stakeholders in the event that this is needed in future.
Communications Alliance/AMTA Submission on Regional Connectivity Program
Communications Alliance and the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) have lent their support to a new Federal Government initiative to improve the digital connectivity of Australians in regional and remote areas.
Under the planned Regional Connectivity Program, up to $60 million in grant funding would be directed toward bespoke, place-based solutions designed to overcome connectivity issues through a range of mobile and/or broadband services.
The project grew out of the recommendations of the Government’s 2018 Regional Telecommunications Review.
In a submission to the Department of Communications and the Arts, Comms Alliance and AMTA offered a rang of advice on how to successfully implement the program. It is expected that most of the bids for funding under the program will be led by telecommunications carriers, working with local entities and taking account of local priorities in small towns when designing the solution.
Sites for implementing connectivity solutions could include high value agricultural and tourism locations, as well as for the resources sector. The investment could also address health, social, public safety and educational priorities.
IoT Impact 2019
FOR MORE INFO AND REGISTRATION/TICKETS: https://www.iotimpact.com.au/
Buy your ticket now and get a 10% discount by quoting this code: CA2019EC
But hurry, discount offer ends 13 September 2019!
| Date: | 15-16 October 2019 |
| Where | Hyatt Regency Sydney |
| Register: |  |
Feedback | Contact Tel: (61) 2 9959 9111 |