Members of Senator Conroy’s own political party have called on him to change his policy, Ban This URL has learned.

“We want an opt-in system,” Janai Tabbernor, president of NSW Young Labor, told Ban This URL.

The junior political party unanimously passed a motion at last weekend’s conference, calling on Senator Conroy to switch to an opt-in system instead of a clean feed, and to redirect the funds to the national broadband network.

The motion read:

Motion 42 - The Internet is a free medium for the open communication of ideas and opinions without hindrance, and thus, should not be censored.

NSW Young Labor supports individual discretion and choice with respect to the internet, rather than censoring the world wide web and its content.

The conference came to an unanimous decision about the filters for three reasons, said Tabbernor.

“We support an opt-in system because of the research into speed and reliability, the fact that it may not cover emails and VoIP where some undesirable content will pass through, and the cost incurred because of the sheer size of the internet.”

Tabbernor said that the funds should be redirected to the National Broadband Network.

“We’re particularly concerned about the impact on rural and/or regional areas, which often have problems accessing the internet. I myself come from Orange, and I know that people in rural areas feel passionately about good access to the internet.”

The motion will be addressed by NSW Young Labor’s committee for environment, communications, recreations and the arts, which has the power to contact the Senator directly.

It could also be taken to the senior branch of the NSW Labor Party. However, the senior branch won’t meet again until March, months after the live trials are due to begin.