Shadow Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull says the Coalition has never supported mandatory internet filtering, after a policy released today said his party would adopt a filter for mobile phones and ISPs which would stop the transmission of objectionable material unless a user opted out. He said the policy issued today was "poorly worded and incorrectly indicated that the Coalition supported an 'opt out' system of internet filtering for both mobile and fixed line services". "That is not our policy and never has been," he added. The policy issued this afternoon said Internet service providers would apply the filters to all home Wi-Fi and under-18s’ smartphones, with people having to opt out if they did not want them.

But Turnbull says that was simply wrong.

"The correct position is that the Coalition will encourage mobile phone and internet service providers to make available software which parents can choose to install on their own devices to protect their children from inappropriate material.



"The policy posted online today is being replaced with the correct version".

Here is how the earlier policy read:

"We will work with mobile phone companies (such as Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and their resellers) to develop online safety standards for smartphones and other devices with mobile network connectivity such as tablets, applicable to their use by children in two age groups: Children up to the age of 12 years and teenagers," the policy stated.

"As has recently been achieved in the UK, we expect these standards will involve mobile phone operators installing adult content filters on phones which will be switched on as the default unless the customer proves he or she is at least 18 years of age.

"The Coalition will work with internet service providers (which provide fixed-line broadband services to the home) to develop online safety standards for those services, recognising that they are very often accessed by children.

"As has recently been achieved in the UK, we expect these standards will involve the major internet service providers providing home network filters for all new home broadband services, which will be switched on as the default unless the customer specifies otherwise."

The Greens had slammed the plan.

“Tony Abbott has actually proposed that anyone who wants to access uncensored online content will have to put themselves on a watch list by opting out of the filter,” said Greens Senator Scott Ludlam.