David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Gallagher. Minister, Australians reported more than 108,000 scams and financial losses of about $174 million to the National Anti-Scam Centre's Scamwatch in the first half of this year. In February this year, the parliament passed the Scams Prevention Framework, and, at the time, the Assistant Treasurer gave multiple assurances that the industry codes enforcing the framework would be developed as quickly as possible. Is it correct that the drafts of the industry codes are yet to be released for consultation?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Pocock for the question, and he is right to remind the chamber that, in November 2024, we introduced landmark legislation to establish the Scams Prevention Framework. It passed the House in February 2025. That framework provides a new model of accountability for banks, telcos and digital platforms, and it also imposes tough mandatory obligations to prevent, detect, report and disrupt scams. These laws made Australia the toughest place in the world for scammers to operate, and they also provided a clear pathway for consumers to be compensated if a bank, telco or digital platform have done the wrong thing. I acknowledge the work of former assistant treasurer Stephen Jones for the work that he did right across the community in ensuring we had the Scams Prevention Framework in place.

I was just waiting for information around where the codes are up to. My advice is that Treasury is working towards designating and developing codes for the banking and telecommunications sector and certain digital platform services, including social media, paid search engine advertising and direct-messaging services. I have no further information in front of me, but, if there is anything further, I will provide it to Senator Pocock.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, first supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you for that, Minister. Do you know what the draft timeline for the release of the draft industry codes is?

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not have that information in front of me. I have a lot of information about this, but that is not a piece that I can quickly identify. I will ask the Assistant Treasurer to provide you with that information directly.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Pocock, second supplementary?

David Pocock (ACT, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Minister. I know you can't give us a date, but do you know why the government has taken this long to release the draft codes? I'm hearing from people that it's just too slow, given we passed this in February and we're seeing Australians being scammed.

Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On that issue, I will ask that the Assistant Treasurer correspond directly with Senator Pocock on the time. I imagine there is consultation underway. I know how the Treasury operates. They have established consultation processes, so I have no doubt that there is work underway. If there is a date that can be provided to Senator Pocock, I ask that it occur.

In relation to the response to scams, whilst this code is important, there are already measures in place to protect people from scams, including from the banks and telcos themselves, who I met with recently. This is one of the top issues they raise with me, not only in protecting their customers but in ensuring that their reputation and business is maintained. They are very motivated to protect customers from scams. On the question itself, I will ask the Assistant Treasurer to provide an answer.