Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

On the same point, I note that the SBS, in its submission, said:

The absence of these safeguards places audience at risks of harm through exposure to illegal or inappropriate online content or harmful conduct on social media sites. The introduction of these safeguards would complement the work of the eSafety Commissioner, the purpose of which is to 'help safeguard Australians at risk from online harms and to promote safer, more positive online experiences'.

I note that the eSafety Commissioner also works with social media services to remove abusive or illegal online content material. The inability to moderate or switch off comments also has a chilling effect on the distribution of news, as media organisations will avoid posting stories that will require higher levels of moderation.

So, as I note from SBS's previous submissions, the safeguards should include the ability to remove or filter comments, to switch to premoderation and to pause live video comments. In light of all this, does the minister stand by his answer that he's just given that it is appropriate that these provisions that were in the exposure draft have been removed from the bill now before us?

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