CHRISTIAN HERITAGE PARTY

9 September 1999

Question 1: Access to the Internet

What policies do you have to ensure an open, competitive environment for the provision of Internet services?

We support a vibrant free-enterprise economy encouraged by moral responsibility. We therefore support the Reserve Bank Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Unlike the present Government however, we wish to ensure public debt is reduced to 0% of GDP before any tax cuts are given.

Question 2: Government use of the Internet

What policies do you have to ensure that both central and local government agencies move towards the effective use of the Internet to communicate with the public?

CHP believes that the Internet does provide a cost effective and efficient means of providing information to the public. Use of the Internet by local governments is not a matter for central government but can be encouraged through legislation requiring all rules and regulations to be provided in easily accessible form to members of the public. If one expects people to obey the Laws of the Land, then those laws must be readily accessible and free of access charges. The Internet may provide both local and central government with a cost effective and useful means of achieving this

Question 3: Access to legislation over the Internet

What steps will you take to ensure that New Zealand legislation and relevant case law can be accessed on the Internet?

Access to legislation generally needs to be improved. We believe that legislation and regulations should be published on the Internet.

Question 4: Information "rich" and "poor"

What strategies do you favour to ensure that New Zealand society does not become divided into the 'information rich' and 'information poor'?

Watchdogs need to be kept in place to ensure benefits of competition are real and not illusory as many are at present.

Question 5: Schools access to the Internet

What strategies do you favour to ensure that schools can readily access the Internet for learning and other needs?

Partnerships with local industry and community groups should be encouraged so that schools can benefit from community resources and expertise as well as some central government funding.

Question 6: Professional development for teachers

How do you plan to ensure that teachers have the technical skills and knowledge to utilise Internet services, once they're connected? (For example, provision of professional development for teachers, development of curriculum content, etc.)

Teachers need to be able to make effective use of information technology in the classroom. This is a high priority. The Ministry of Education must make this a priority for in-service teacher training on an on-going basis.

Question 7: Maintenance of a stable secure Internet in New Zealand

What policies do you have relevant to the maintenance of a stable, secure and adequately serviced Internet in New Zealand?

The Internet is subject to standard commercial legislation and regulation. As previously mentioned, a watchdog however needs to be in place.

Question 8: Need for legal underpinning for electronic commerce

Do you see a need to provide a legal underpinning for electronic commerce in New Zealand? If so, what areas require legislative attention?

CHP recognises that minimum legal frameworks for E-Commerce need to exist to protect all parties concerned.

Question 9: Computer crime

Do you support legislation under which crackers/hackers can be prosecuted for computer related crime?

Yes.

Question 10: Use of strong encryption

Do you support the unrestricted use of "strong" encryption by e-commerce to provide secure Internet trading?

Yes.

Question 11: Development of a public key infrastructure

Do you see a need for Government involvement in the development of a New Zealand Public Key Infrastructure?

No.

Question 12: Taxation

Do you see any need to introduce changes to present tax laws so as to take into account Internet transactions and electronic commerce?

Taxation in relation to E-Commerce should be guided by the same taxation principles that guide governments in relation to conventional commerce.

Question 13: "Porn" on the Internet

Do you support self regulation [of porn and free speech] by the Internet Industry or do you propose government intervention through legislation?

Prohibition of objectionable material is a difficult area to obtain proper enforcement. Attempts must be made by the international community to police cross border traffic in pornographic or other objectionable material. CHP would support a regime of tougher sentencing for anyone caught in New Zealand either possessing or dealing in such material. We would also support a publicity campaign urging parents to take more responsibility for what material their children are gaining access to through the internet. We would also seek to use new technology and software to assist filtering out violence and pornography, and bad language.

G.Capill
Party Leader

© 1999 The Internet Society of New Zealand
Last updated 9 September 1999