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Greens welcome landmark iiNet ruling backing ISPs
The Australian Greens welcome today's Federal Court decision in favour of Internet Service Providers in the landmark iiNet case.
The case brought by the Australian film and television industry had the potential to make Australian ISPs responsible for monitoring all web traffic on their servers.
"Clearly this would have placed an intolerable onus on ISPs to take over surveillance of every packet passing over their network and assess it according to the demands of overseas media corporations," said Greens spokesperson for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Senator Scott Ludlam.
"The Federal Court has made an important determination which will have far reaching impacts at home and overseas," Senator Ludlam said.
Broadband announcement a chance to break with the mistakes of the past
The Australian Greens have welcomed the Minister's announcement regarding Telstra's relationship with the National Broadband Network.
Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens Spokesperson on Communications warned the Minister not to repeat the mistakes of privatisation.
"For years the telecommunications industry has been demanding the government regulate Telstra and bite the bullet on separation of wholesale and retail services.
"We insist that Telstra, the NBNCo or any other telco never be allowed to own public infrastructure and simultaneously compete with retail providers. This situation has stunted telco growth in Australia and it must not be allowed to happen again."
We ask that the government prioritise access for rural, regional and disabled citizens, as these people have been traditionally under-served.
Greens move to stop ads interrupting SBS viewing
The Australian Greens today will introduce a Bill to the Senate to ban advertisements on SBS television interrupting programs.
“This Bill, first introduced by the Australian Democrats in 2008, will prohibit the interruption of programs by advertisements and station promotions on SBS television,” Communications Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam said.
No Senate Blank Cheque on Broadband
The Australian Greens say they won't be giving the Government a blank cheque in the Senate for its multibillion dollar broadband plan but will carefully scrutinise the proposal as more details become available.
"It is good to see the Minister coming on board with Greens demands for public ownership, but the existence of a potential trigger for privatisation is a real concern."
"Given the magnitude of public spending, we will be looking at the details very carefully, before deciding whether or not to support it in the Senate," said the Greens Communications Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.
Financial crisis time to invest in community broadcasting
The Australian Greens say the Government should provide $14 million in its coming Federal Budget to support the nation's 436 community broadcasting stations in building social inclusion during the global economic crisis.
"The community broadcasting sector plays a vital role in keeping Australians linked into their communities. It reflects the diversity of the Australian people and it brings diversity to an industry that is otherwise dominated by a few big players," said the Greens Communications Spokesperson, Senator Scott Ludlam.
"Australians living in remote and regional Australia, migrant communities and Indigenous communities rely on community radio and TV to keep them informed. For those with a print disability, it provides unique broadcast services tailored specifically to their needs. The sector also serves as a valuable training ground for young people and nurtures emerging talent."
Regional Roll-Out Essential for Broadband Success
The Greens say the Federal Government must only award the tender for its broadband plan to a company that guarantees coverage in the regions, following the announcement of Telstra's exclusion this morning.
Show Trial: Conroy's ISP Trial Flawed
The Australian Greens have called on the Federal Government to abandon its internet filtering trial as it's flawed and doomed to failure, while Telstra and Internode announce they're boycotting it.
Greens ‘New Century’ Australia Senate Agenda
The Australian Greens today outlined their vision for Australia in the new century ahead of the opening of the Balance-of-Power Senate.
Australian Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown, said a record 1.17 million people voted Greens at the last election, and the five Greens Senators were ready to work constructively with all parties to respond to the challenges of the new century.
"Pollution, poverty, discrimination and the destruction of Australia's forests and precious environments are the legacy of the last century and decades of greed and inaction."
"The Greens' role, beginning with this new Parliament, is to begin delivering an Australia that was cleaner, fairer and saner."
