Topics: Online Safety Act, Gambling
Senator Henderson: Well good afternoon, everyone. Today, in our Senate inquiry into amendments to the Online Safety Act we heard disturbing evidence about the need for tougher laws. This government is failing Australians because our laws in relation to online safety are not good enough.
We heard compelling evidence about the need to deliver Australian parents’ safety tools, which are embedded in operating systems run by the likes of Apple, Google and Microsoft. We heard compelling evidence about the need for Australians to better control the algorithm, which is driving so much harm on social media platforms. And we also heard evidence from the likes of the Free Speech Union of Australia which has called for much greater transparency on the algorithm, on the source code, and other information which is being used by the social media platforms, which they are arguing is required in order to demonstrate and enforce the current social media ban.
So, some of the politicking that we have seen from the government and the minister in particular is most regrettable, because we have a fundamental responsibility as members of parliament to ensure that our parliament is delivering the very best on behalf of all Australians. This government needs to do much more in relation to online safety, and that’s why the Coalition will be taking forward further amendments to improve the online safety of Australians. Happy to take any questions.
Journalist: Are you open to what the advocates have put forward this morning about increasing the penalties? One of them suggested that $50 million is *inaudible*. 100 million is too *inaudible*. It needs to be much greater, you know, to ensure that the tech companies get the message.
Senator Henderson: Well, my concern principally is the enforceability of the law. I don’t think there is enough before the parliament at the moment to ensure that the social media ban is being enforced. There’s no point having very high penalties unless we have tougher laws. So that’s our focus. And in fact, the current penalties of about $50 million per offence have been doubled. That was not a recommendation of the eSafety Commissioner, that was a recommendation basically to bring the powers into line with other agencies. But our focus is on ensuring that children, in particular, are safer online. We need much tougher laws, and we’re very focused on those substantive changes.
Journalist: It’s still up in the air about how enforceable this is. I mean, some *inaudible* just admitted that it seems that a majority of kids are trying to find ways to get around this as well?
Senator Henderson: Well, some 70 per cent of children or teenagers under 16 are still on social media, so we have heard evidence today that this could well be giving parents a false sense of security. That’s why we need to look at every possible measure to keep children safe online.
Journalist: On gambling reform, what are the conversations that you’ve been involved in this week, now that it seems that the prime minister *inaudible*
Senator Henderson: Well, the Coalition of course, was involved in ensuring that we had a Senate inquiry to examine all of the evidence in relation to the bill currently before the parliament. We’ve made it very clear the bill is deficient in its current form. Much more needs to be done, including on predatory inducements, which are driving so much harm, including on better protecting children. At the moment, the bill allows up to three gambling ads per hour during children’s television programs. We think that’s totally unacceptable.
We’re very focused, of course, on Australians’ right to have a bet, to enjoy a day out at the races, most Australians gamble very responsibly. We respect their personal choice. We also think that the bill has to be underpinned by important principles of personal responsibility. But we, the Coalition, are very focused on protecting vulnerable Australians, including children, and that’s why we believe that the bill has to be significantly amended. There are good faith discussions going on at the moment which I can’t say anything about other than to say we’re very focused on improving this bill.
Journalist: What do you make of what the prime minister said this morning about inducements in particular, as you highlighted? Big issue. You were listening in and asked a question at an inquiry a few weeks ago. Do you think that Anthony Albanese has understood the takeaways from that inquiry or the evidence around the challenges and the danger of inducements?
Senator Henderson: Well, I think the prime minister understands that now, but he certainly didn’t at the time when the bill was introduced, because the bill is silent in relation to predatory inducements. And we’re talking about really insidious conduct by some wagering companies where they are targeting gamblers. Often they are addicted to gambling, targeting those losses and driving further harm, we are very concerned about that.
Of course, the Coalition has a very significant record when it comes to gambling reform including legislating BetStop. But it is clear that more needs to be done. The prime minister was missing in action in terms of addressing inducements in this bill. I’m glad he has now recognised the harm that inducements are causing, and that certainly is one very significant focus of the Coalition.
Journalist: If there is going to be more action on advertising *inaudible*. Does there also need to be some sort of conversation for the *inaudible* companies, for the broadcasters who will lose some of that gambling advertising. Is that something that the Coalition wants as part of those amendments as well?
Senator Henderson: Look, we’ve made it very clear that we think the bill needs to be strengthened including in a number of important respects. I’m not going to go into what those amendments might be. There are good faith negotiations and discussions going on with various colleagues right across the parliament, including, of course, with the government. So we want to make sure that when this bill comes before the parliament again that there are tougher laws before the parliament.
Australians deserve no less. As I say, we respect personal choice, we respect personal responsibility, but we also need to make sure that our laws protect the most vulnerable of Australians, including children, and that’s very much our focus.
Journalist: Do you have confidence that both sides can get this through before the end of next week, before spring racing season?
Senator Henderson: I’m very hopeful that we can act as soon as possible. Thank you very much, everyone.