Rob Mitchell (McEwen, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Communications. Why is it so important that the Albanese Labor government's proposal to establish a minimum age for social media passes the parliament this week?

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

I thank the member for his question. The Albanese government takes seriously its obligation to online safety and the reduction of harms facing Australians. We know that parents are rightly concerned about these harms, as they impact upon their children, and we've taken a decision to support them. We also want young people to imagine a world where social media does not have to constantly fuel their thoughts, drive their anxieties or determine their sense of fitting in. There are enough pressures already in the teenage years, and the Albanese government is taking a stand to say that access to social media does not have to define connection in this country.

I say to Australia's young people that your voices are important and that we have been listening. One of the key features of our legislation is its implementation time frame. We are committed to using this time to engage with young people and the organisations that represent them, and I thank the many young people who have engaged already for outlining their concerns. I say to them that we will work with you over the next 12 months and beyond to ensure that wraparound supports for young people remain accessible.

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't know why the member for Fisher feels the need to continually interject with his rolling commentary with every answer, but it's completely unacceptable, and he more than anyone in the parliament should know that. He is warned. If anyone wants to get a fair go here, you've got to treat everyone fairly as well. The Minister for Communications has the call.

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

I will turn to the importance of this bill. The legislation allows for rules to be made for definitional carve-outs for messaging and gaming. We want young people to remain connected to their family and friends and to be able to participate in digital environments that are age appropriate. The rules will also allow for educational and health apps that function in a similar way to social media to remain available for connection to young people. The aim here is to drive innovation and digital connections in spaces that are designed for the needs of children, because their education, health and wellbeing are paramount for this government.

This work is not constrained to the communications portfolio. We are working collaboratively across government, and I acknowledge the contributions of many colleagues, including the Attorney-General, the ministers for education, health, youth and social services, and the Assistant Minister for Mental Health. They have worked hard to consider policies that complement our bill and build support for young people where and when they need it. Collectively, we are continuing to ensure the views and perspectives of parents, young people and communities remain central to the policies we take forward to support them through the implementation phase and beyond.

Allowing this time for the law to come into effect will strengthen how it operates in practical terms and enable us to continue working with young people and the sectors that represent them.