16 May 2004
63/04
AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS NZ ANTI-SPAM LAWS
Australia's world leading Spam Act 2003 has provided a useful model for New Zealand as our trans-Tasman neighbour considers developing its own legislation to combat the global menace of unsolicited electronic mail.
I welcome New Zealand's efforts to stamp out spam and look forward to our two countries continuing to work together to identify cooperative ways of addressing this growing international problem.
In a meeting with my New Zealand counterpart, Mr Paul Swain, in Wellington today, we discussed Australia's support for the development of anti-spam legislation in New Zealand.
And we discussed the possibility of further cooperation between the two countries in tackling this complex problem.
Australia and New Zealand have both chosen a consultative approach with industry and the wider community in developing their strategies and policies on spam. I understand the New Zealand government will shortly release a discussion paper on its possible approach.
Close, effective and ongoing consultation was fundamental to creating the Australian spam legislation, which targets spammers without having an adverse impact on legitimate businesses.
Our legislation, which took effect in April this year, prohibits the sending of unsolicited commercial electronic messages that have an Australian link. Those who persist in sending spam are subject to penalties up to $1.1 million for a single day of infringements.
Spam now accounts for half of all worldwide email and is expected to continue to grow. It is a real and costly threat to the communications infrastructure that we increasingly rely on socially, in government and at work.
The Australian Government's approach to combating spam includes combining domestic legislation with international cooperation, public education, the development of industry codes of practice and of technical counter-measures.
Tackling spam in New Zealand will assist in reducing the spam that clogs up our inboxes in Australia.
Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480/ 0439 425 373
