Parliament Committee Appointment

12 May 2010

The Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, was this week elected as the Deputy Chair of the Federal Parliament’s new Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety.

The terms of reference cover a broad spectrum of issues, including methods and approaches to combating online threats.

“The online environment has provided a tremendous means of communication and an unprecedented exchange of information and ideas,” Mr Hawke said.

“There are also well-known threats, and how we protect ourselves and our children from illegal and inappropriate content is one of the great challenges we face in coming years.”

Mr Hawke thanked the many local residents who have passed their opinions regarding cyber-safety issues to him. In particular there has been a growing concern about the Government’s plans to filter the internet.

“There is a clear and deeply held concern in the community about how we protect ourselves and our children in the online environment,” Mr Hawke said.

“However this concern is matched by fears that in protecting ourselves, we might enact draconian methods which might not work as intended, would censor the internet, and prevent access to legal and inoffensive content.

“I look forward to working as Deputy Chair if the Cyber-Safety Committee, and will bring the views and concerns of residents throughout the Hills community to my work in this role,” Mr Hawke said.

More information regarding the Cyber-Safety Committee, including the terms of reference are available at:  http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jscc/tor.htm

The Committee consists of twelve Members of Parliament and Senators. Convention has that a Government Member or Senator is appointed as Committee Chair and an Opposition Member or Senator as Deputy Chair.