Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to draw the attention of colleagues to the fact that today is Safer Internet Day, which is a global event across 130 countries. This year's theme is 'Create, connect and share respect: a better internet starts with you'. I think the collective message of all colleagues today is that we want to see online a culture of respect. We want to see online the principle that you do unto others as you would have others do unto you and to see that the ordinary rules of human engagement which apply in our face-to-face dealings should also apply online. All colleagues would be well aware that technology has made us more productive. It's made us more connective and it's even, arguably at times, made us more entertained. But when we have new opportunities, such as this, it also means that there are new challenges. The message that I think is important for us collectively to put is that Australia is well placed when it comes to enhancing online safety.

The government, when elected, established the Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner. Over time, that role has expanded to particularly focus on women and domestic violence and the community more broadly, which is why we changed the name and the focus of the organisation to the Office of the eSafety Commissioner. We also have in place a world first: a legislated anti-cyberbullying regime aimed at young people. What this does is give the eSafety Commissioner the legislative power to direct social media organisations to take down offending material.