Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. In my state of South Australia, parents often tell me how concerned they are over social media and the risk of harm that it's presenting to their children. South Australia has, of course, introduced landmark new laws to protect children and to support parents. Can the minister explain what the Albanese government is doing alongside the South Australian government to keep children safe online?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Just a moment, Senator Wong. Senator McKenzie, you need to cover that shirt or remove it.

Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You want me to take it off?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator McKenzie, it's a prop. Cover it or remove yourself from the chamber.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Senator McKenzie, your shirt is still visible. You need to turn it inside out or leave the chamber.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Order! Senator McKenzie and all the senators who think this is funny: props are not allowed in this chamber, nor are T-shirts or other paraphernalia that have words which are clearly visible. Senator McKenzie, I've given you a choice.

No, it's not okay. Senator McKenzie, unless you intend, for the whole of question time, to sit there and hold the blazer, that is not appropriate. I've given you an option.

No, I've given you an option. Minister Wong.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm very happy to answer a question about the safety of our children. Thank you, Senator Smith, for asking this question. I think all of us know the extent to which this is an issue that parents are really concerned about, and parents are looking for leadership, for guidance and for help in how all of us manage what is a pretty tricky thing to negotiate or to put boundaries around with our children. I'm sure you have found that this is something parents and grandparents raise with you.

We know that social media can cause social harm and is taking kids away from real friends and experiences. More importantly, we know that early access to social media can be very detrimental for young people's mental health and physical health. People want real solutions, and we as a government believe that working for the safety of our children is paramount. That's why, today, the Prime Minister has announced we will introduce legislation to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms. That legislation will be informed by engagement with states and territories.

I acknowledge the role of Peter Malinauskas, the Premier of South Australia, who has been engaging with not only his community but also the Prime Minister on this issue. I'm very pleased that that has resulted in the announcement the Prime Minister has made. As Premier Malinauskas has said, the work South Australia has done is important but we need a nationwide solution. It is a Commonwealth—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm surprised you are laughing about this. Most parents actually care about this issue. The community cares about this issue, and those opposite are laughing about it. It's quite extraordinary. A Commonwealth led approach will ensure all Australian children are better protected from online harms.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Marielle Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It certainly is a huge issue and an issue of concern for all Australian parents. Can the minister outline how the Albanese government's approach, including the age assurance trial, will ensure effective social media age limits?

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, a Commonwealth led approach will ensure that all children are better protected from online harms and ensure parents and carers are better supported. We also want to hold big tech to account, because platforms and online services have a responsibility for the safety of their users—and I hope this is something on which we can get agreement across this chamber.

As I said, we will work with the states and territories to get this right. We are also going to consider the results of the various measures Minister Rowland has put in place—the age-assurance trial and the Online Safety Act review. These measures have been welcomed by the eSafety Commissioner, and the trial in particular is testing different implementation approaches to help inform policy design. We want to work with experts, young people, advocates and parents through the trial because we want these laws to be effective, and we want to make sure that big tech plays its part in protecting users.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Marielle Smith, second supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister, for outlining our government's approach. Can you explain why the Albanese government is taking action on this important issue now?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I hear what those opposite are saying. They're asking us: 'Why hasn't this been done before? Why hasn't there been more action?' I wonder what could have happened over nearly a decade of government. If only they'd been in power for nearly a decade when the explosion in the online world really occurred. If only someone in power then thought that this might be an issue. Occasionally, in politics, it is a good thing to say, 'Yes, this is a good idea.' Occasionally, in this chamber, it is a good thing to say, 'That is a good idea, and we're going to back it,' but they can't help themselves, can they? They can't help themselves. They have to—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order, Senator Birmingham and Senator Cash!

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

They're doing it again! Look at this. Here we are. Both sides of politics might actually do something about the safety of children, but those opposite just want to get angry about it. We on this side want to make sure that protection of our children is paramount. That is what we will do, and that is what we will legislate.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cash, once again, I called you to order, and you didn't come to order. I would ask you to not wilfully continue on when I've called you to order.