And this is why a censorship policy should influence people's vote. Anywhere but the ALP, and I voted for them last election.

Comment 1 of 28

Is there life apart from the internet? dang I am in trouble hehe

Comment 2 of 28

It is an addiction that leads to distorted views of regulation and community standards, social practices and the treatment of others. Respect and consideration fly out the door, the *me* aspect has become a behemoth, anonymity is misued to generate huge amounts of insult, baseless claims, assumptions, assertions and fantasy clothed as *analysis*. Suddenly, we have groups demanding unbrideled internet access as a *human right* and the base of humankind. A huge tour to avoid accountability and daily reality...

Comment 3 of 28

Oh, how expected. I wonder, more people moving away from the "idiot box" and using the internet, maybe we will end up with the next generation being more informed and not making the same rotten mistakes as the baby boomers or the drug mistakes of generation "why". We can only hope.

Comment 4 of 28

This is one more reason why we need to keep the Government's hands off OUR Internet.

Comment 5 of 28

When I used to work the internet was a viable asset of our working system. Without it we could do virtually nothing...work stopped for the office personnel. It amazes me how we have come to rely on the use of this commodity.

Comment 6 of 28

"Melbourne is home to the nation's most "connected" households" and you will be able to vote Conroy out! Voting below the line will send a clear message.

Comment 7 of 28

No, but it's at least as important as the telephone.

Comment 8 of 28

HOw true. And I would be dumping the internet if it wasn't for the programs at school the the children use that are to use for practice here at home. Crap is gonna hit the fan next year when there's three of 'em wanting to do mathletics and two to do Lexia.

Comment 9 of 28

Conroy is watching. So people will switch from computers to TV, heating, play sports and watch DVDs. I will feel sorry for the ISP company will go for bankruptcy.

Comment 10 of 28

I've just spend a couple of weeks without the internet while my computer was being fixed. It's tough to live without. All of our banking, bill-paying and important services are done easily over the net. I don't think I'd have it before food but it's certainly the 'fourth utility' as was said.

Comment 11 of 28

"...with almost a third of all homes using more than four internet-connected devices simultaneously and older Australians report owning the most number of PCs, edging out even technology-savvy 18 to 24-year-olds." Of course they do. I don't know any 18 year olds with children old enough to be let loose on the internet. What a pointless stat! Thanks Captain Obvious!

Comment 12 of 28

I would live in a tent and crap behind a tree as long as I had the internet for my research, because, despite what the mainstream meadia would have us believe, the internet provides access to all the scholarly and scientific journals. No more using outdated information - this stuff is up to the minute latest research and findings.

Comment 13 of 28

Its more important because its like wining the lottery... You maybe lucky get the first prize, but more than often you will get anything from nothing to 4th devision.

Comment 14 of 28

Quote: "The survey also found that more than 60 per cent of Victorian homes admit to busting their monthly internet limit and nearly 15 per cent of the state's households fight over hogging the computer and using too much bandwidth" - if the survey was with Bigpond users, then the reason is clear - unrealistic plans, prices, and capping limits. Bring on the high speed NBN, as long as the limits and prices are competitive.

Comment 15 of 28

bah who needs gas and water!, just electricity and internet!

Comment 16 of 28

I actually took part in this study, I found the questions skewed towards the result that was wanted, now as I know who the customer is I understand why, the one most concerning was the question about bandwidth limits, and as we all know telstra charge the most for the least, I never break my bandwidth limits simply because after being capped EVERY MONTH IN THE FIRST WEEK I woke up to the fact I was being ripped off. I have taken my business else where, where I get a better deal, which is anywhere really, I now have a completely unlimited account, with NO SHAPING AT ALL, suck as much as I want as long as I want and the funny part is telstra suck are the wholesalers, and I saved $19 dollars a month as well, now work that one out Mr Thodey, get off you backside and come and speak to us the lowly minions that pay your over the top wages and start giving us a fair deal, telstra for internet NEVER AGAIN !!!

Comment 17 of 28

INTERNET for the win!

Comment 18 of 28

Lock them in a room with just the internet and no food or drink for 5 days, then we will see what is more important. People of my generation survived without this crap. What a bunch of babies the people of today are.

Comment 19 of 28

Just had a friend stay for a week and did nothing but get on the internet and stick her phone to her ear ALL DAY, ended up going bowling/bushwalking/swimming with other fiends as she was too busy waiting to see what everyone was posting on facebook....what a sad puppy..who could not have a break for a holiday.....very sad and antisocial...I worry for our future kids with all this technology.

Comment 20 of 28

It will be for me : 1.Food 2.Electricity 3. Blackberry 4.Internet. Dont really need TV that much or Landline, I can bear a little while with the Internet not connected to our home, but It would be very hard living withouth my Blackberry,its my Best Friend other than myself LOL

Comment 21 of 28

'internet is increasingly being viewed as a "fourth utility", ranked equally in importance with gas, power and water'. I'd like to see you use the internet without electricity. There's only so long a battery will last.

Comment 22 of 28

@Peter Simpson of Willetton, WA: Just remember your Phoney Tony will destroy the future of high speed Internet but canning the NBN and bring us back to the dark ages of dial-up. I would prefer super fast fibre broadband with a bit of censorship over super slow dial-up without any day.

Comment 23 of 28

Which is why society is moving in opposite directions. We have the government whose role seems to be to obscure information through an opaque decision-making process and the internet whose role is to make info online immediately in real time to everyone. BTW why don't we vote online? Why line up at the local pollie? Very archaeic.

Comment 24 of 28

Oldy your comment makes no sense. They are just saying older Australians are using more devices than the techy 12-24yr old group. Nothing was mentioned about kids?

Comment 25 of 28

I do NOT support the filter as a viable and cost effective way of policing the internet. That said, I also cannot vote for the Liberal's version of the broadband in the future either. Given the lesser of two evils, I would hate myself for voting for Conroy but cannot vote against NBN. Mike Quigley for communications minister dammit, at least he has a vision going forward and a proven track record!

Comment 26 of 28

Going without food instead of your internet connection? Are people really that idiotic? Give me a decent meal and a good book any day.

Comment 27 of 28

I find the internet and online gaming so much more entertaining than tv these days. I watch maybe a hours worth of tv in a week now.

Comment 28 of 28