Prompted by this bit of news, I have decided to examine the track record of the anti-internet, anti-speech, anti-file sharing, pro-corporate, Orwellian-named "Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement" (ACTA).
Rightly lambasted for giving too much power to the film & studio mafia, as well as infringing on the civil rights of software users, the ACTA has been a right-wing dream come true. But it's running into trouble: following its ignominious rejection by the European Parliament (39-478 is one hell of a margin, even with the 165 abstentions taken into account), the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties in the Australian Parliament has recommended that the ACTA not be ratified - at least, not until further study is done.
(more below the fold)
To make it clear how earthshaking this is, it should be noted that JSCOT almost always recommends that the Parliament ratify treaties. Indeed, by the time that a treaty gets to JSCOT, it has already been negotiated, publicised, analysed and signed by the Prime/Foreign Minister, on behalf of Australia. A quick look at JSCOT's part of the Australian Parliament's website - specifically, their archive of reports - will reveal that virtually 100% of the treaties brought before JSCOT are approved for immediate ratification. This is true no matter who the Government is, no matter who's on the Committee, or what the treaty is. They even approved the lopsidedly anti-Australian AUSFTA in 2004 - but ACTA is apparently a bridge too far for them.
This is very, very good news. Given the situation in Europe, and given the situation in America's closest allies (Australia etc.), and given that ACTA needs 6 ratifications to enter into force even in those states ratifying it, it's pretty clear that ACTA is in trouble. This is a good thing - but it's absolutely no reason to be complacent. ACTA may be dead in Europe, but it's still on life support in Australia, and hasn't come to a vote yet in Canada or the US Senate.
Keep the pressure up - Americans, urge President Obama not to use executive agreement to implement ACTA. Urge your Democratic Senators, if you have them, not to vote to ratify ACTA if it should come to a vote in the Senate. And if a Democrat's running for office in your area, ask them what their opinion on ACTA is - make it clear that it will make a difference in your level of support for them.
Australians, contact Prime Minister Gillard's office and urge her to bring ACTA to a vote while the ALP and Greens still control the Senate, so it can go down in flames once and for all. The (conservative) Coalition's opposing ACTA for now, but they'll change their tune when they win the next election - act while you can!
Canadians, contact your state's NDP/Liberal/BQ Party and urge them to maintain a united front in opposing ACTA - make Harper go out on a limb if he wants to support it. He's got the numbers, but punish him at the polls by making it clear that he's on his own.
Europeans, find your local MEP and congratulate them for voting anti-ACTA - assure them of your support in such endeavours.