The Australian Democrats are pleased the Internet Industry is taking the initiative to control the irritating phenomenon that is SPAM and urges the government to speed up new anti-spamming legislation and Internet user education.
Democrats Information Technology spokesperson, Senator Brian Greig, says the Anti Spam Drive by Yahoo! Australia & NZ should help to drive home the message the Democrats have been sending to the government for months, but the Government must ensure Internet users know their rights.
"Spam is intrusive, expensive and mostly unwanted, but anti-spam legislation will be more efficient if people know how to use blocking devices and other options which may become available in the future, " Senator Greig said.
"In addition to better legislation, agencies such as NetAlert, established to educate the public on the safe use of the Internet, need sufficient funding to provide education for parents and children."
Senator Greig says Australian Internet users are not only the recipients of an enormous amount of spam, Australia is fast gaining a reputation as the originator of worldwide spam.
"It is costing business more than $19 billion every year through wasted employee time and downloading costs and Australia needs to work with the international community to eradicate the barrage of unwanted electronic mail sent every day," Senator Greig said.
The Australian Democrats congratulate Yahoo! on their initiatives and offer full support to the Government to deal with the proposed legislation promptly.
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