International Law

Dad no fan of Stephen?s filter. As the prime minister vows to support Stephen Conroy?s internet filter, ALP insiders in the ACT have been having a chuckle over Stephen?s dad?s views on the matter. Bill Conroy has reportedly been a strong net filer dissenter inside the North Canberra sub-branch of the party, suggesting the communications minister will face more than the occasional blue over the dinner table as the Orwellian proposal begins to be rolled out.

?still, he?s no Twit. Stephen Conroy is the government?s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. On telecommunications he is outstanding, having not merely achieved more in three years than his predecessors over the past 20 but actually reversed a lot of the damage they did. When it comes to new media, however, he transforms into a snarling, confused beast, hell-bent on beating up anyone and anything online that won?t co-operate with his plans to impose censorship and prevent it from competing with traditional media.

According to departmental sources, the minister?s unhappiness with all things online extends to Twitter. At a departmental function Conroy was overheard sounding off about Twitter and his dislike of it. ?Who cares what someone had for breakfast?? he demanded of some hapless functionary. Evidently Conroy won?t be following his prime minister into the social media space any time soon.

?but somebody forgot to tell Tony. A tweet from the sustainable population minister this morning?

via www.crikey.com.au