The Australian Democrats today proposed an internet immunisation plan that would put South Australia at the forefront of the international battle against computer viruses.

In the wake of a four day virtual shutdown of the parliamentary computer network due to a Melissa type virus, the Australian Democrats leader, Mike Elliott, labelled the current situation an "epidemic waiting to happen."

"Conservative estimates of the potential cost from a particularly virulent virus to South Australian small businesses and households are in the many tens of millions of dollars," said Mr Elliott.

"With the number of South Australian households using the internet growing from 74,000 to 115,000 (or 20% of all households) between 1998 and 1999, the potential cost is set to soar.

"Experts say that the Melissa virus which was released in March 1999 cost Australians $135m, and most recent estimates of the cost to businesses world-wide of the ILOVEYOU virus are more than A$17billion.

"Our plan would provide the latest virus immunisation at low cost to every household and small business in the state, which will be of particular benefit to regional South Australians.

"We call on the state government to subsidise a website for South Australian individuals and small businesses to regularly download immunisation software.

"While we propose a nominal fee ($10) to subscribers, the advertising potential of the site could soon see it provided at no cost to subscriber or state government.

"Currently, a virus fix up costs around $100 per time plus lost productivity. Alternatively commercial virus protection software costs up to $100 plus about $50 a year to maintain.

"The reality is that many households and small businesses are taking a huge risk.

Without real protection SA faces a far greater risk than the year 2000 bug."