Stephen Conroy appears on the ABC programme Q&A to discuss his controversial internet filtering plan. More than 2000 questions are received via email, SMS and from audience members, and virtually every one of them is opposed to the filtering proposal.
Conroy: I’m glad that’s over. Get me a UDL will you? Anything with vodka in it.
What a bunch of lightweights. Did you see Hunt? Out of his depth. Didn’t wear a tie thinking that would make him look cool. Just made him look like he had borrowed his dad’s suit.
What’s this about the list still having harmless sites on it?? I told those ACMA idiots to clean it up.
Minister Conroy’s media advisor (who Crikey.com is reliably informed is a nice guy who deserves better): They did. Here I can show you.
I don’t want to see it.
Why not?
Well, I’m sick of looking at it. To be honest, it’s starting to affect me. I can’t imagine what the actual sites are like.
Do you want to see them?
No, of course not. Are you kidding me?
It might help you speak with more authority.
What’s wrong with my authority? Are you questioning my authority?
No, not at all. I’m just saying that when people ask you what the sites are like you could say something like “They are appalling, I was appalled. Any right thinking person would be appalled.” Words to that effect.
That’s why we have the censorship board. It’s their job to sit in a dark room being appalled for a living. That’s why we pay them.
But you’re the politician. It means more coming from you. Plus you can wedge the libertarians. Hunt won’t be able to touch you. He can hardly say that he has checked out the sites – this is refused classification material. He’d look like a sicko.
I can hardly say that looking at the sites is harmful if I then have to admit that I’ve looked at them.
It’s only harmful to the young and the vulnerable.
Define “vulnerable”.
Anyone who might be harmed by looking at it.
And who might that be?
Well, the young.
And?
Anyone with a sensitivity to this sort of material.
Such as?
I don’t know, I’m not a psychiatrist.
So, someone with a psychiatric problem?
Or a sensitivity. To this sort of material.
The weak-minded?
I suppose.
Self-abusers, that sort of thing?
I’m being serious.
So am I. We are trying to protect people from themselves.
We are just protecting the people from illegal, dangerous material. I can’t believe we are having this discussion again. You can’t back out now.
The technical guys reckon it will slow internet speeds by 20%. So much for Kevin’s broadband revolution.
We’ll blame Telstra. No-one will know the difference.
Good point. Get me another UDL will you?
