Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said that the review of the Online Safety Act must mandate a trial of Age Assurance technology, as recommended by the eSafety Commissioner.
The Online Safety Act was introduced by the Coalition Government in 2021 and the Communications Minister has today flagged further details of a codified review of the Act.
Mr Coleman said Age Assurance is a similar concept to Age Verification. He said the Government has failed to implement the trial as recommended by the Commissioner, instead leaving the issue to an uncertain industry-led process, which has been widely criticised by leading child safety advocates.
In November, the Albanese Government voted against Coalition legislation requiring the introduction of a trial of Age Assurance technology.
Mr Coleman said Age Verification was one of the single most important measures in protecting children online.
“Without mandated Age Verification, digital platforms can simply say ‘we didn’t know that person was a child’,” Mr Coleman said.
“This is very convenient for the platforms and allows them to escape the consequences of their actions – or inaction.
“We know that exposure to pornography and other content can be very dangerous for children.
“It is completely inexplicable that Minister Rowland has sided with the digital platforms, and not the eSafety Commissioner, in refusing to legislate a trial of Age Verification technology.
“Minister Rowland has been roundly condemned for her position on this issue. 50 of Australia’s leading experts on children’s and women’s safety have signed an open letter calling on the Government to reverse its position.
“These experts include the former Royal Commissioner into Child Sexual Abuse, Robert Fitgerald AM, Chanel Contos of Teach us Consent, Grace Tame of the Grace Tame Foundation, Alison Geale, the CEO of Bravehearts and Melinda Tankard Reist from Collective Shout.
“This should be a non-partisan issue, and there is just no excuse for the Government’s conduct here.
“Minister Rowland must reverse course and protect Australian children.”
Mr Coleman said the Government’s refusal to support a trial of Age Verification would also be pursued during Senate Estimates today.