Data Retention Scheme - Logging out of Internet Privacy

The federal government has recently proposed a data retention scheme whereby ISP providers would be required to log our precise browsing history and possibly even emails for 5 to 10 years.

Presently companies don't hold this kind of information unless they are given court order approved by a judge.

As information would be able retrieved without a warrant the policy disregards our rights and treats everyone as criminals. It also forces the ISP providers to act as substitute law enforcement officers as they collect the information.

We also have no idea for what this information will be used. While we are assured presently that it will be used only to deter criminal behaviour, we do not know whether in the future it may be used to monitor people's general internet use (for shopping behaviour, use of wikileaks, electoral behaviour).

As we come towards the election I am wondering why so few know about this scheme? and Why is it not an election issue?

Further info and Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Australian-Governments-Data-Retention-Scheme/105734222814079?

http://blog.igloo.com.au/?p=2102

http://www.i-policy.org/2010/06/au-.html

http://www.webspy.com.au/blogs/index.php/government-sanctioned-isp-filtering-and-monitoring/