Communications Minister given oversight on copyright and anti-piracy initiatives

September 23, 2015 11:47

New Communications Minister Mitch Fifield is taking on the overview of the controversial anti-piracy program that would see ISPs sending letters to copyright infringers asking them to stop downloading pirate content.

The program was meant to begin on September 1 but has been stalled, amid industry disagreements over who should pay for it.

In his first media interview since being named in the role Fifield confirmed he was taking on overview of the copyright issue from Senator George Brandis, but was reluctant to be drawn on further details arguing he needed more time to get across the portfolio issues.

“Copyright and classification responsibility has transferred from the Attorney General’s office to the Communications Minister’s” Fifield told RN Drive’s Patricia Karvelas. “Part of the rationale has been that you have the communications portfolio looking at issues of content, particularly with the broad issues of intellectual property.

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Nic Christensen

Nic Christensen worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2016, in roles including deputy editor and media & technology editor. He is former media writer for The Australian and has also worked as a reporter for The Daily Telegraph and senior producer for Radio 2GB.

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