internet

Why the Internet filter is not the solution we wish it was

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:00:48 -0700

Yesterday's announcement by Senator Stephen Conroy that the federal government will introduce "mandatory ISP-level filtering of Refused Classification (RC) -rated content" is a backward step that if adopted will be a triumph of fear and false promise over what works and good sense.

I add my voice to the many that understand that the Federal Government's proposals to filter the Internet are:

a waste of time
a waste of money
a false promise to parents that will not stop kids being exposed to undesirable content online
a move towards censorship that a democratic and free nation like Australia should reject

The proposed Internet filter creates a diversion from tackling broader issues of how the online environment (which also includes mobile phones and games) is rapidly changing social norms, expectations and behaviour.

There are urgent issues that need to be addressed: protecting children from inappropriate material, protecting privacy, cyberstalking and bullying, how to protect citizens from identity theft to name just a few.

The solution to these issues is not a mandatory filter. The solutions include the far more difficult, time consuming and gradual process of:

education for all citizens, especially parents and kids,
greater policing and investigation
greater resourcing to support families and communities, and
continuous law reform in the areas of privacy and communications.

With the roll out of the national broadband network and laptop computers, Australia has a once in a generation opportunity to roll out mandatory education on how to use IT -grasping the opportunity to enthuse and skill our citizens, at the same time having the one to one conversations about cybersafety and privacy that will have the greatest impact.

As a

parent of young children who is engaged daily on issues of internet use
MP who takes an active interest in child protection laws, policies & practice, and,
legislator who is sometimes asked to consider proposals driven by a desire for short term silver bullets rather than cautious consideration of the evidence and the need to give due consideration to democratic rights and freedoms,

I urge the federal government to consider other options rather than this proposal.

Forums for the Public in Parliament

Penny Sharpe — Sun, 03 May 2009 18:27:51 -0600

One of the great things about being an MP is you get asked to host events on behalf of community groups so they can come and meet and hold forums in the parliament. These are usually open to other MP's and the public. It is a great democratic instituion and something that I try to do as much as possible.

This week I am hosting 2 events that you might be interested in:

- New Matilda is holding a series of events about internet regulation. As the intersection between politics, technology and the media continues to grow online, we're facing some hard questions. How do we regulate the world wide web?
Tuesday 5 May from 6pm in the Parliamnet House Theatrette. you need to rsvp to this.

- I support the need for Australia to have a Charter of Human Rights. The Evatt Foundation is having a forum on Thursday 7 May from 6pm in the Jubilee Room with Professor George Williams and the Hon Ron Dyer to talk about why they support a charter of rights. Come and tell us your thoughts as Evatt develops our submission for the Brennan Consultation.

Red Leather is back

Penny Sharpe — Thu, 17 May 2007 23:19:43 -0600

Red Leather is back. After a spam attack and a rebuild of the site I am back in the land of blogging.
I am interested in your views about the site and invite you to start a conversation about state issues and my work in parliament. For a wrap up of the last fortnight, check out my ebrief.

Morris' Website

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 01:00:00 -0700

Check out Morris Iemma's Website

Websites that are making a difference

Penny Sharpe — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Congratulations to GetUp for being judged as one of the top ten websites that are changing the world. Politicsonline asked it’s subscribers to vote for the best 10. Over 18,000 people participated from around the world to award the prize to Factcheck.org – an excellent site that gives the facts behind the political spin of all parties in the US – something that would be an excellent addition to the Australian media landscape.

GetUp has been behind successful campaigns on RU486, children in detention and looks like they have again made a difference with the Prime Minister’s belated and somewhat cynical announcement about climate change today.

With the latest OECD figures on broadband connectivity showing that use of the internet is continuing to rise. The rise of the internet to provide more accountability, transparency, engagement and old fashioned debate is still only in it’s infancy in Australia. But the tide is changing.

Political campaigning and the internet

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0600

PoliticsOnline is an American website. From their e-newsletter this week:

Survey Says... Internet Best for Learning About Candidates
More voters (26.8 percent) pick the Internet as the best place to learn about a candidate's position on election issues or to research general election issues, than any other information source including television (20.5 percent), newspapers (17.8 percent), radio (6.6 percent), pamphlets/ brochures/ direct mail (5.4 percent), and in last place, magazines (2.8 percent ).
More Information

Where do you get information about your candidates from?

Pennys' Website Launch Cartoon

Penny Sharpe — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Download my website launch cartoon for yourself below.
The file is in .mov format, viewable through Quicktime which is available for download here.

e-brief launched

Penny Sharpe — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

My fortnightly e-brief aims to give you an overview of legislation, committee inquiries, government announcements and other happenings in Macquarie St.

The focus is on seeking input and feedback as well as letting you know where you can have your voice heard in the decisions that are being made.

The e-brief will evolve over time. If you have any feedback or suggestions please let me know.

Political Blogging and Women

Penny Sharpe — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Check out this article in the Guardian about women and political blogging.

Viagra Strikes Again

Penny Sharpe — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Apologies from this end if you have not seen your post to the blog. I have been attacked by the people from viagra who keep jamming my posts with advertising. Hopefully it is now fixed.