What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill strengthens enforcement of the law banning under-16s from holding social media accounts. It doubles the maximum penalty for platforms that break the rules and lets the eSafety Commissioner demand information from anyone holding relevant evidence; Senate amendments also added powers to question people under oath. The debate focused on whether the ban is working, how far the new powers should reach, and calls for a wider digital duty of care.
Arguments made in support
The Government said platforms are doing the bare minimum, such as letting children retry age checks, and stronger penalties and powers are needed to hold them to account.
Labor members said the Commissioner needs evidence from third parties, like age-check providers, to test what platforms claim they are doing.
Government speakers pointed to over five million underage accounts removed and survey results showing better sleep and less online bullying.
Several independents, including Kate Chaney and Sophie Scamps, supported the bill as a sensible step, while urging a broader digital duty of care.
The Greens backed the added questioning powers, saying the Commissioner had asked for them, though they called the original ban a failure.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Coalition speakers said the bill admits the ban was badly designed, citing studies finding most under-16s still use social media.
The Coalition opposed the Senate changes, saying powers to demand documents and question people under oath went too far and could reach parents and children.
One Nation opposed the bill, saying children's online use is a matter for parents and the new powers threaten free speech and rights.
Independents and Greens said even doubled fines are small for large tech companies; the Greens proposed penalties of 10 per cent of global turnover.
Several members said 'reasonable steps' is still undefined and that a ban alone cannot fix unsafe platform design or harmful algorithms.
148 speeches by 54 members in the House and Senate over 7 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 29 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 30 June 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 1 July 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 8 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 9 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 10 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: Senate, 10 Sept 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Includes votes on amendments and procedure.