Month: September 2013

Pirate Party Statement on Liberal Internet Censorship Policy

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The Liberal Party has announced a broad Internet censorship policy less than 48 hours from the 2013 Federal Election, in order to shield the policy from detailed scrutiny[1].

“The Liberals’ decision to release a draconian Internet censorship policy this close to an election is utterly disgraceful,” said Brendan Molloy, lead NSW Senate candidate for the Pirate Party.

“The policy seems significantly broader than the defeated Labor policy, and is simply a waste of money. The mandatory installation of censorship software on devices seems to be very similar to a policy that China has previously implemented, a state renowned for its Internet censorship regime, and even they dumped it[2].”

“Opt-out filtering treats everyone like a child by default, and puts those who choose to opt-out from the Government-chosen list of acceptable websites on a list of deemed “undesirables” that can be later abused. This is a reprehensible policy and we will fight it to the death.”

“It’s simple: the Liberal policy will make censorship malware mandatory on your devices. That’s not okay,” he concluded.

The Pirate Party has released a pledge detailing the 16 policy areas they will focus on upon election to Parliament[3]. The third pledge focuses specifically around standing against any mandatory censorship regime.

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‘Get A Warrant’ — Pirate Party makes election pledge

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Pirate Party Australia is proud to launch ‘Get A Warrant‘ — a website dedicated to the Party’s pledge to wind back the ever-increasing surveillance powers of Government agencies, while outlining positive policies to take Australia forward.

While both major parties whip up hysteria to paint the other as untrustworthy and economically incompetent, their similarities run deep. An issue they have both artfully avoided is the bipartisan support for attacking civil liberties in Australia through growing warrantless surveillance regimes.

“We are pledging to ensure that all Australians have the right to privacy,” said Brendan Molloy, lead Senate candidate for NSW. “We are calling for an end to treating citizens as suspects, and Get A Warrant outlines our promise to the Australian people. If we are elected, we will push as hard as we can to promote a society free from the fear that the Government is always looking over our shoulders.”

“We will fight for a society free of unreasonable censorship regimes, and for a transparent government. A vote for the Pirate Party is a vote to pressure the Government to respect our right to privacy, and recognise their obligation to being transparent.”

‘Get A Warrant’ was launched against the backdrop of continued revelations of secret surveillance programs operated by the United States and its allies, including Australia. Pirate Party Australia has set out in plain terms what it will do to protect Australians’ privacy and roll back clandestine spy operations, while offering positive change to take Australia forward, such as legislative protection for human rights and civil liberties.

“Privacy is a fundamental right, one that is necessary for a free and democratic society to function. The assault on privacy supported by both major parties is a threat to our freedom we are providing a positive alternative,” Mr Molloy continued. “Get A Warrant highlights our pledge to defend and extend civil liberties, where Labor and the Liberals both utterly fail.”

A vote for Pirate Party Australia is a vote for privacy, a vote for liberty, and a vote for transparency. Visit http://getawarrant.org.au for more info!