Communications minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, recently said his push for the filter continued because service providers had not provided any opposition to it. At the same time,he said service providers could at any time implement their own filter without the Government getting involved.

"The frustrating part about it is this: They don't need me to invite them," he said on ABC program ,Four Corners. "They could have announced it five years ago, they could have announced it 10 years ago, they could have announced it yesterday. They've got a policy opposing any form of voluntary ISP filtering of anything."

Internet Industry Association chief executive officer, Peter Coroneos, denied that ISPs had been sitting back on the filter issue.

"We've actually approached the government on several occasions to propose a solution with best practice and under jurisdiction," he said on Four Corners. "But for whatever reason, the government is intent on pursuing a legislative course."

Another issue raised - whether the range of classification can be expanded under future governments - was met with strong opposition from Conroy.