Greens demand stronger tech laws

The Greens will push Labor to toughen digital duty of care laws in exchange for parliamentary support, calling for individuals to sue platforms and win financial compensation.

Hanson-Young's key demands

Sarah Hanson-Young, the Greens communications spokesperson, says fines must be tied to a percentage of global revenue rather than set amounts to force tech companies to change behaviour.

“Fines for breaches must be tied to a percentage of global revenue.”

Private right of action needed

Hanson-Young argues enforcement cannot be left to the eSafety commissioner alone. Australians harmed online must have the right to take legal action and seek compensation for damage done.

“To really put Australians' online safety at the heart of this reform, individuals and the community need to have the right to take on big tech through a private right of action.”

Labor's original proposal

Labor plans to introduce digital duty of care laws this week, with fines of more than one hundred million Australian dollars for platforms not protecting users from harm.

What the laws will cover

Popular platforms, online games, apps and AI chatbots must protect against pornography, eating disorder content, misogynistic content, content glorifying crime, and content causing serious distress including abuse and bullying.

Coalition warns of free speech risk

Shadow communications spokesperson Sarah Henderson told the Conservative Political Action Conference the duty of care laws could restrict free speech and Australians' fundamental freedom to challenge government.

“Your freedom of speech questions authority, to challenge government, to expose injustice, and above all, the freedom to disagree.”

New Greens leader sets tougher tone

David Shoebridge, the new Greens leader, has flagged a tougher negotiating approach than his predecessor Larissa Waters, potentially frustrating the government's agenda in the second half of the year.