The Communications Minister has outlined her plans for online safety in response to a government inquiry into social media and internet safety. 

Minister Michelle Rowland says the government's official response to the committee inquiry comes while “every day, Australians are exposed to online harms”.

The inquiry was set up during the previous Morrison government and submitted its report just before parliament was prorogued in 2022.

Since then, new powers to support online safety have come into effect under the Online Safety Act 2021. The act expands the eSafety commissioner's ability to order online platforms to remove harmful content, such as image-based abuse, within 24 hours.

Speaking about the government's commitment to empowering young Australians to navigate the online world safely, Rowland said; “We are also committed to empowering young Australians with the skills to navigate the online world safely and protect themselves online”.

The minister also pointed to a new long-term, whole-of-government approach to combating online scams with a national anti-scam centre and by strengthening industry codes. Rowland stressed that online safety is a shared responsibility and that the legislative framework must remain fit-for-purpose, continuing to evolve as new harms emerge.

To improve online safety for Australians, she said comprehensive work is underway across the Communications, Home Affairs, Attorney-General’s, and Social Services portfolios. This work includes partnerships with the Alannah & Madeline Foundation to lift digital and media literacy among children in schools. 

The minister also noted that consultation with state and territory governments is underway to introduce mandatory minimum classification ratings for select games featuring loot boxes and simulated gambling.

Rowland further confirmed cross-government coordination for regulating online harms would be handled with a bi-annual meeting of federal ministers with responsibility for issues that intersect with online harm. This group would advance coordination work being advanced by the Digital Platform Regulators Forum, the minister added.

“The safety of Australians online is a core priority for the government. This response demonstrates our commitment to effectively implementing the Online Safety Act, addressing gaps in the legislative framework, and supporting cross-government coordination on the regulation of online harms,” she said.

The government has also introduced new powers for the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to combat disinformation and misinformation, as well as reforms to improve transparency under the voluntary industry code. It says these measures are part of efforts to protect Australians from online harms and to ensure their safety in the digital world.