The Government will introduce a national filter scheme to protect Australian families from Internet pornography, ICT Minister Senator Helen Coonan, announced today.

The scheme will provide every Australian family with a free Internet filter as part of a $100 million comprehensive package of measures to “Crack down” on Internet porn.

Internet safety agency, NetAlert, is being co-located with regulator, The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and will receive $5 million in additional funding over three years to improve the effectiveness of its Website and educational activities. National community education campaigns will be conducted to ensure that all Australians know about the benefits of filtering illegal and inappropriate material on the Internet.

Libraries will also be required to use filters on their public access Internet terminals in order to create child-friendly zones.

A community information campaign will provide information promoting the free filter initiative and detailed information advising parents how they can access free filters and Internet safety information.