AN INTERNET service provider has rejected a claim that it supports the federal government's controversial plan for an internet filter.

The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, told The Sun-Herald four of the five big internet service providers, including Telstra, Optus, iPrimus and iiNet had welcomed the controversial filtering policy. But iiNet, the country's third-largest internet service provider, denied Senator Conroy's claim, and iPrimus said it was finalising its position.

''We do not and never have supported such a system," said the chief executive of iiNet, Michael Malone.

''The proposed filter is fundamentally flawed, will not achieve its stated purpose and simply will not work. It is fundamentally bad policy."

Most internet users also strongly oppose the filter. An online poll by smh.com.au attracted more than 88,000 votes, and 99 per cent disagreed that the government should filter extremely pornographic, violent and illegal content.