The discussion here appears to be about,
at one end of the internet content providers,
and at the other end a user accessing content.
The government or some of those who support the government are seeking to step into the middle of this arrangement. All for a worthy cause of restricting access to mature age services and content?
How does anyone with confidence know whether a particular item of content accessible through the internet meets or fails certain criteria?
How does anyone assure the identity of the physical being acting as a user of the internet?
It all seems too hard, if not also too silly to even contemplate.
Despite knocking back a 5G supplier, it appears Australia has a keen desire to learn from the same place.
As close as is possible, China has a model that for all intents and practical purposes controls what a user can access. It does this by monitoring all sites and content, actively blocking many sites, or imposing strict control over the content providers. How successfully China can trace back to any user, might be less well understood. National security might be at risk for them to reveal more!
Is Australia going to follow the same path?
With likely a similar level of government control required, the only difference might be the overt motivation or selling point from government.
Alternative
If we are going to block access, there are considered alternatives by which access to restricted mature age content might be authorised.
The government could legislate to require prospective customers to register initially in person complete with 100 point ID. In return each provider would be required to provide a unique user ID and two factor authentication for access. Yes, it puts an end to anonymous online access. Isn’t that the core issue though. Proof of age, which is identity, vs no controls.
The government does not need to know, other than facilitating, the service initial identification. Banks already do it. Perhaps they might become the service providers? Don’t trust the banks? How does anyone pay for these services or collect their winnings?
Penalties to apply to approved users who lose or do not keep their gambling or prawn habit ID’s secure? I did type prawn, what ever that is?
P.s. I fear most more items might be added, and subject to restricted access this becoming a matter for decisive political debate.