The Australian Greens say Google's bold decision to stop censoring search and news results in China has shown the way for other companies and governments around the world.

"Google has made the first move in acknowledgement of the long-term futility of internet censorship. We commend Google's initiative, which is quite a contrast to the Rudd government's meek approach to China," said Greens telecommunications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam.

"Australia's growing dependence on China as a customer for mineral resources should not silence us about the ongoing human rights abuses in that country, or its active support for human rights violators like Burma.

"This is an opportunity for us to develop a more mature relationship with China, not one where every interaction is seen through the lens of economic self-interest.

"Google's move in China has been followed by a highly critical submission on the Australian Government's own plan to censor the internet, saying parents around Australia have the strong view that ‘the government's proposal goes too far and would take away their freedom of choice around what information they and their children can access.'

"Abandoning this ridiculous censorship proposal might also give our arguments more weight when trying to redefine our relationship with China," Senator Ludlam concluded.

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