Australians want a way to fight back

Crossbench MP Sophie Scamps will move an amendment today to create a free, independent ombudsman to help Australians resolve disputes with tech giants like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.

The problem Scamps is trying to solve

For many Australians, complaints to tech platforms result in automated responses, endless online forms or no meaningful response at all. When platforms fail to act, there is nowhere independent to turn.

“For many Australians, dealing with big tech platforms can feel like shouting into the void, with complaints met by automated responses, endless online forms or no meaningful response at all.”

What the ombudsman would handle

The ombudsman would create an external avenue for appeal in cases such as a small business owner being locked out of their social media account or individuals wanting harmful content addressed.

TIO ready to expand its role

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said the amendment was the missing piece in the government's digital agenda. Thousands of people and small businesses were already reaching out for help she could not provide.

“The TIO stands ready to expand our role to help people when things go wrong online.”

Greens want tougher penalties too

Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young said her party would fight to ensure the digital duty of care had real teeth, prioritising tougher fines and the right to sue big tech privately.

“We know that these companies only respond to one thing: penalties that hit them where it hurts.”

Labor says its bill already works

Communications Minister Anika Wells said Labor's digital duty of care would empower the eSafety Commissioner to create enforceable standards to resolve disputes, which currently do not exist under voluntary codes.

“The problem right now is that the codes are completely voluntary, completely unenforceable, so let's take the next step to make them enforceable, before jumping several steps ahead and making them externally enforceable.”

Coalition opposes the entire bill

The Coalition resolved to oppose Labor's legislation, with Shadow Communications Minister Sarah Henderson taking issue with dangerously vague definitions and concerns the government would spread propaganda online.

“This is information control because of the wide range of discretion, both of the minister and also the eSafety commissioner, to determine what is harm online.”

Labor needs Greens to pass the bill

Labor has the numbers to pass the bill in the lower house today without changes, but needs Greens support to get the duty of care through the Senate next month.