Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Minister Wong. Families in Western Australia have welcomed news that the Albanese government will create a new minimum age for access to social media as many parents are increasingly worried about the potential harm social media can cause to children's mental health and wellbeing. Can the minister share the Albanese government's approach to keeping Australians, and particularly children, safe?

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

My thanks to Senator Ghosh for the question. I know those of us on this side, Senator Ghosh amongst them, have an ongoing interest in this area. We know it's important to the people of Western Australia, it's important to people across this country and it's important to people throughout our communities. I hope all of us in this place can agree that the safety and mental health of our children is paramount.

We all know that parents are looking for real solutions to their concerns about harmful online environments and addictive behaviour on social media. We all know that from our experience, and from the conversations that we have in our communities, with parents and grandparents and young people alike. That is why the Prime Minister has announced that the Albanese government will be creating a new minimum age for access to social media. We will bring legislation forward before the end of the year, and I look forward to those opposite supporting it.

Of course, this is not the only thing we are doing or that we have done. We have quadrupled funding for the eSafety Commissioner. We have fast-tracked the review of the Online Safety Act, which will report next month. We have funded digital literacy programs for every school with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation. We have supported the eSafety Commissioner to develop new mandatory industry codes to protect children from online pornography.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That's such a small amount of money.

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

You may scoff at this. You may scoff at this, Senator Henderson, but I think ensuring we have legislation to protect children from online pornography is a good thing.

We have passed legislation to ban the creation and distribution of deepfake pornography. And we are holding big tech to account because platforms and online services have a responsibility for the safety of their users. We have amended the government's basic online safety expectations to reflect the expectations the community has of these platforms.

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

Senator Ghosh, first supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. South Australia has released a report by the former Chief Justice of Australia the Hon. Robert French AC outlining a legislative vehicle to ban children under the age of 14 from accessing social media. Why is it important that we work with the states and territories to build on South Australia's approach with national laws on a minimum age to access social media?

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

Senator Ghosh, given his professional history, understands the importance of getting the law right in this area. He also understands this is a challenging area to regulate. That is why governments across the Commonwealth have come together on this important issue of protecting children—and it is important that we all work together.

We do support appropriate age limits for social media. We have said we will legislate to enforce this, and that legislation will be informed by the report to which Senator Ghosh referred by the former Chief Justice Robert French, as well as by engagement with the National Cabinet and engagement with the eSafety Commissioner. We thank South Australia, including Premier Malinauskas, for its work and we acknowledge the contribution of Premier Minns, too, but ultimately the issue needs national leadership, because otherwise we will see Australia with different laws in each state and territory. That will not keep children online safe and we want to ensure we have an effective solution. (Time expired)

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

Senator Ghosh, second supplementary?

Varun Ghosh (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese government clearly takes this important issue seriously. Can the minister please explain how these laws are focused on protecting children from harm?

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

Senator Ghosh, you're right: the focus of this is how we protect children from harm. These are serious matters. They demand serious reforms, and the reforms the Prime Minister has announced are groundbreaking. We are proceeding down this path because we want to help parents protect their children. We want to help parents protect their children from threats in the online environment. For too long Australians have had to navigate these complex and concerning issues alone.

I would make the point that for nine long years those opposite failed to keep up with the technological changes in the digital world with regulation and protection in this parliament and by government. Now they've decided it's urgent. What I would say to them is: why don't you, instead of your relentless negativity—which is on display yet again as we speak—actually work with us to ensure the parliament can act— (Time expired)