The Department of Internal Affairs have responded to my questions about the $611,000 allocated for Censorship Enforcement Activity in the 2009/2010 budget.
Firstly, they confirm that the money is provided for each of the next four years.
Secondly, they talk about the increased cost of tracking down and prosecuting people for the possession and distribution of child sex abuse images.
Thirdly, and of most interest to me, there is a one-off capital contribution of $150,000 to the purchase of the software used in the internet filtering they intend to introduce this year.
The relevant section from the letter:
As you are aware, the Department’s compliance activity for 2009/2010 includes the implementation of a website filtering system for New Zealand. To date the development and operation of the trial system has been met from within the existing budget. Budget 2009 provides for a one-off capital contribution of $150,000 for the purchase of the software on which the filtering system is based.
Links to (not very good) scans of page 1 and page 2 of the letter.
