An interesting article was posted in The Australian this morning in regards to an apparent “retreat” by Prime Minister Rudd and Senator Stephen Conroy in regards to the legislation that would be required to enact their proposed mandatory internet filter.
| Rudd Retreats On Passing Web Filter Legislation |
Some will see this as a massive victory for the cause against the filter – but do not celebrate just yet, if at all. This so-called “retreat” is nothing more than a political ploy.
Given the current balance of power in the federal senate, the government is nervous that it simply won’t get the numbers to see the legislation pass through the upper house. It would pass the lower house without any problem at all, but the senate is a whole different ball game.
By postponing the legislation until after the coming election, Rudd and Conroy are hoping that the balance in the senate will change dramatically, and that that will allow them to easily pass the legislation through both houses of parliament, thereby introducing mandatory filtering in Australia with a minimum of fuss.
This is a small victory – it certainly demonstrates that the government is worried that the legislation is not as widely supported as it thinks it is, or would like it to be. However, the only way to defeat this legislation permanently is a two-fold process.
Make sure that Senator Conroy does not retain his senate seat after the election – as a Victorian senator, the people of Victoria need to make sure that their federal senate vote directs the tally completely away from the Labor Party. That will take Conroy’s scalp – he will be the poster child against any future attempt by any government to try again. He would be the scapegoat. This is a good thing.
Then with the House of Representatives – as many Australians as possible need to vote away from Labor, and any preference deals they may put together, to see the government fall completely. Remember, only 43.31% of the national popular vote went to the Labor party at the last federal election. Less than half of all Australian voters ultimately wanted this government as a first preference vote.
Let us make sure that we show them just how many Australians don’t want them now! The homes of hard working Australians burning down as a result of the insulation debacle. The penalising of pensioners who spent money installing solar electricity systems. Internet filtering that will not work, and most people don’t want.
Seriously, how could anyone vote for these people at all?