Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you to Senator Polley for her question. I think it is fair to say that it is a very difficult issue and I thank the senator for raising it in the chamber today, particularly because it is a day when question time is broadcast around Australia and we are able to reach many parents and carers. It is a very important issue. I know that everyone in this chamber supports me and supports our government when I say that child pornography is an unmitigated evil, and I would hope that there would be absolutely no argument about that. This is an issue that I would hope is above politics, and I put on record the support of my colleagues from all sides in working to stop the sexual trade and trafficking of children.

The scheme announced by this government to create the National Filter Scheme at a cost of $93.3 million over three years to provide free PC-based filters or a subsidised filtered internet service for Australian families and funding to allow every public library in Australia to set up child-safe internet terminals will be operational this year. It certainly is a priority within my portfolio. A comprehensive national community education campaign will be undertaken to raise awareness of the National Filter Scheme and provide detailed information for parents about how they can access free filters and general internet safety information.