A SPLIT has emerged in Labor ranks over Communications Minister Stephen Conroy's filter plan to limit internet porn after a backbencher confirmed she would seek to amend the legislation.

 

Labor Senator Kate Lundy plans to propose a filter “opt out” when the legislation goes before caucus.

“I think there's a lot of interest in my proposal,” she told The Australian.

“The feedback I'm getting back from colleagues is that there are concerns around freedom of speech and lack of parental empowerment.”

Senator Lundy said the Conroy filter took control away from parents.

“It doesn't empower parents with the control over what their children are getting,” she said. “Senator Conroy's policy just puts in place a blanket filter.”

Senator Lundy's proposal will allow web surfers to set the filter at a level they consider appropriate for their household.

Under her proposal, the Refused Classification-based filter would apply if an internet user had not made their own choice.

Senator Lundy's views on the filter are well known within the caucus and she is confident there is “a lot of interest” in her opt-out mechanism, known as the “mandatory option”.

Senator Lundy explained her proposal in more depth on her blog.

“The approach I am taking takes the opportunity to educate subscribers about better internet safety that empowers them to make an informed choice and addresses the fundamental objections,” she writes

Senator Lundy has not supported plans by the Safer Internet Group to restrict the scope of internet filtering to cover child pornography, saying her opt-out alternative would cover off this option.

Senator Conroy's bill is expected to be introduced into the parliament in autumn and will need caucus approval.