Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I thank members for their contribution to this debate. Misinformation and disinformation pose a significant threat to the safety and wellbeing of Australians, as well as to our democracy, society and economy. This bill will increase the transparency and accountability of the actions of digital platforms in relation to seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation, while balancing the freedom of expression that is at the very core of our democracy.

Again, I thank everyone who's contributed to the consultation process and to the debate on this bill, including the government amendments moved yesterday. I particularly acknowledge the strong advocacy and efforts to secure improvements to the bill by the member for Goldstein, the member for North Sydney and the member for Wentworth. The member for Goldstein advocated strongly for more to be done to support data access for researchers as a key element of transparency and accountability. The member for North Sydney emphasised the importance of the triennial review of the act being conducted as an independent review and advocated strongly for this to be made explicit in the law. The member for Wentworth has emphasised the importance of various review and reporting elements in the bill and has been testing how this will operate.

These issues have also been brought to my attention by members of the other place. I acknowledge the interest and engagement of Senator Pocock and Senator Hanson-Young in particular. The government also welcomes interest and engagement with the staff of the offices of Senator Van, Senator Tyrrell, Senator Roberts and Senator Hanson to date. Senate scrutiny of the bill continues, and I look forward to the report of the Senate inquiry and continue to work constructively with senators on these important reforms. These amendments will refine the bill and improve Australia's laws to hold digital platforms to account and keep Australians safe online, because keeping Australians safe is the first duty of all of us in this place.

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