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     the net

This page considers the status of the internet and online activity under Australian national and state/territory law.

It is currently under development.

Overall, national government responsibility regarding the internet in Australia derives from its telecommunications power under s51(v) the 1901 Constitution, discussed in the preceding page of this profile.

That power provides the basis for such matters as -

• operation, at an arm's length, of auDA as the national domain name administrator for dot-au
• the Australian spam legislation
• the Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman (TIO) scheme
• requirements that ISPs offer content filters to consumers

In practice the national government can also call on the corporations power and even its national security power.

Use of the net may involve offences under national and state/territory legislation, for example regarding stalking, consumer fraud and child pornography.

   next page  (crimes)