Cybersafety

Holding Big Tech Accountable

I understand how difficult it is for those opposite. Having voted in support of this legislation, they've seen their vote overturned by their Senate colleagues. I understand that they're disappointed. To the children in the gallery and the families that are with us today: we're debating something we call a matter of public importance, and today it really is a matter of public importance, because we are debating why the Senate has voted to prolong or delay the enactment of this piece of legislation—which is an addition, if you like, to Australia's world-leading bipartisan legislation that was designed to make big tech companies responsible for enacting— (Quorum formed) This is the legislation that those opposite are suggesting is really difficult and needs a three-month inquiry. Front cover, table of contents—it's a four-page document! It's a four-page document that does two clear things. It gives the eSafety Commissioner something she has asked for. She has asked for a law that will allow her to compel documents in her investigation as to why big tech companies are not complying with the laws set by this country, set by this House and the other place. She's asked for that. It does one other thing. It raises the fines for big tech if they're found guilty of being noncompliant with Australian law. This is world leading legislation that had bipartisan support, driven for a long time. This is not rushed. Nothing about this has actually been rushed. There was a joint inquiry.