Opening comments to the Senate Select Committee on Information Technologies hearing on the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Bill 1999

Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Bill 1999

The Association thanks the committee for this opportunity to provide evidence.

As identified in our brief submission in this case the Association is speaking on behalf of our members as providers of access to the internet, not as an ISP.

The Association of course supports policy designed to restrict access to illegal material on the Internet. Our concerns are how effectively this legislation may deal with such issues as:

• the inability of the proposed regime to guarantee such information is removed from the Internet, given the ability of content providers to relocate or disguise their content; and the ability of those seeking out such material to get around blocking devices;
• and, that in applying blocking and filtering systems access to appropriate material may also be made inaccessible, thereby restricting the rights of users to access appropriate information.

Libraries around Australia are very active providers of access to the internet. In doing so they take a responsible approach towards the provision of access and the education of users. For example, libraries incorporate internet use principles and guidelines into overall policies on access to library resources. They consult with community in the development of these policies. They require acceptable use agreements from users. They require permission from parent or guardian for use by a child. They educate users on how to use the internet effectively. They evaluate resources and provide advice on these for users.

The library and information sector appreciates the value of the internet as an information resource. As our Interim statement on the use of online information in libraries states 'The Association recognises that there are many regulatory issues which arise in relation to the use of online information. Regulatory challenges should not, however, prevent libraries from protecting the freedom to read in the online environment and in doing so producing the best internet experience for all users.'

3 May 1999

Jennefer Nicholson
Acting executive director