4 ms·

That was not even a week between Apple announcing local content scanning, to the Australian government taking a bill from under the table announcing "here's one

That was not even a week between Apple announcing local content scanning, to the Australian government taking a bill from under the table announcing "here's one we prepared earlier". > As such, the government has prepared a consultation paper [PDF] and is accepting submissions until 15 October 2021. Lol. There were thousands of submissions for the AABill and only a handful were read let alone published. This "community consultation" is nothing but a farcical checkbox. The Australian Government have ruined any prospect of a brightful Australian digital future.

stephen_g 5y ago
Yes, the "public consultation" was much the same on this bill as the AAbill. Almost universally negative from the public, the "opposition" party came out again and said "This is hugely flawed. We're going to vote it though but we don't like it". It's farcical and absurd.
- mrslave 5y ago
  Yes, the illusion of choice by the opposition party. Even during an election they barely differentiate. It descends from policy into brand marketing that makes me wonder if I only now get the joke behind the Duff Bowl in that old Simpsons episode.
  - werwqweqwe 5y ago
    Have people here read "Game of Mates" by Cameron Murray and Paul Frijters? I found it hugely illuminating and I really felt like it described mechanisms, and identified dynamics, which I had been aware of but only vaguely able to articulate. Of course the obvious question, is what can concerned citizens do?
    - alfiedotwtf 5y ago
      To be honest, there's nothing we can do. Clearly, the opposition isn't, and the smaller parties like the Greens and Reason don't hold any leverage. I've given up trying to convince people of the government encroachments. In the end, nobody will care anyway as long as they can drink their Victory Gin.
    - bigiain 5y ago
      > what can concerned citizens do? What can they do that's effective? Nothing. Build guillotines, maybe?

stephen_g 5y ago

Yes, the "public consultation" was much the same on this bill as the AAbill. Almost universally negative from the public, the "opposition" party came out again and said "This is hugely flawed. We're going to vote it though but we don't like it". It's farcical and absurd.

mrslave 5y ago
Yes, the illusion of choice by the opposition party. Even during an election they barely differentiate. It descends from policy into brand marketing that makes me wonder if I only now get the joke behind the Duff Bowl in that old Simpsons episode.
- werwqweqwe 5y ago
  Have people here read "Game of Mates" by Cameron Murray and Paul Frijters? I found it hugely illuminating and I really felt like it described mechanisms, and identified dynamics, which I had been aware of but only vaguely able to articulate. Of course the obvious question, is what can concerned citizens do?
  - alfiedotwtf 5y ago
    To be honest, there's nothing we can do. Clearly, the opposition isn't, and the smaller parties like the Greens and Reason don't hold any leverage. I've given up trying to convince people of the government encroachments. In the end, nobody will care anyway as long as they can drink their Victory Gin.
  - bigiain 5y ago
    > what can concerned citizens do? What can they do that's effective? Nothing. Build guillotines, maybe?