Senator Ludlam asked:
1. I just want to find out about the trials that are currently underway and are you expanding with other ISPs?

2. How much are you anticipating will be expended in this trial and how much does that leave?

Answer:
1. As at 23 March 2009 seven ISPs have signed Deeds of Agreement and are participating in the ISP filtering pilot. These ISPs are:
• Highway 1 Pty Ltd
• Nelson Bay Online
• Netforce Pty Ltd
• OMNIconnect Pty Ltd
• Primus Telecommunications Pty Ltd
• TECH 2U Pty Ltd
• Webshield
Negotiations are continuing with a number of other ISPs.
2. Funding of $44.2 million (Administered and Departmental) was committed over four years in the 2008-09 budget for PC and ISP filtering. Of this $5.4 million is available for ISP and PC filtering in 2008-09, including funding for the running of the ISP filtering live pilot.
ISPs participating in the live pilot are eligible to receive financial assistance provided they applied to partipate in the trial by 9 December 2008. Funding may be used for the procurement of a filtering solution, the installation and configuration of that solution, and any necessary modifications to their network infrastructure. ISPs currently participating in the live pilot are receiving the following financial assistance (GST exclusive):
• Highway 1 Pty Ltd - $87,023
• Nelson Bay Online - $10,250
• Netforce Pty Ltd - $37,000
• OMNIconnect Pty Ltd - $23,450
• Primus Telecommunications Pty Ltd - $64,000
• TECH 2U Pty Ltd - $29,040
• Webshield - $10,500
Total funds allocated to ISPs participating in the live pilot will not be known until negotiations with the remaining ISPs have been finalised.