CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Ms COFFEY (Griffith) (10:25): Earlier this year I met with a local mum in Griffith who shared a deeply distressing story about her daughter. In December 2024 her daughter, then just 12, experienced harm through an AI companion app. An AI character told her she was worthless and made references to self-harm.
The harm developed over repeated conversations. Reading those exchanges afterwards, her mum described clear hallmarks of grooming and gaslighting. Tragically, this is not an isolated story.
Online harm has destroyed the lives of too many young people and their families. Behind each account is a child who deserves protection and a family living with the unspeakable consequences. Large technology companies make decisions about how their products work and what reaches our children.
They must be held to account for the harm those products can cause. Their profits cannot come at the cost of children's safety. Parents cannot monitor every conversation or assess every risk within an app.
They cannot carry this responsibility alone. The Albanese Labor government has committed to legislating a digital duty of care, which will require digital services, including AI chatbots, to protect under 18s from harmful content and design features. The My Feed, My Way initiative will give Australians greater control over their social media feeds as well, including the choice to opt out of personalised recommendations.
But, for me, protecting young people is at the heart of this legislation. Families deserve enforceable protections, and technology companies must answer for failures to keep children safe. A place to go, something productive and engaging to do, and people who are glad to see you—these simple things can make an enormous difference to somebody's life.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Carina Men's Shed at the heart of the Clem Jones Centre, and it was easy to see why members keep coming back. Men work alongside one another. They share their skills and enjoy good company.
Some tackle a project together. Others work quietly with their own work with a conversation never too far away. There is no pressure to have all the answers or even to say very much.
Sometimes spending time alongside someone is enough. For men adjusting to retirement, experiencing loss or looking for more connection, that welcome can make a real difference. During my visit, I saw the generosity, the good humour and practical care members show each other and our wider community.
We are also fortunate in my community to have the South Brisbane's Men's Shed serving our local area. The Cannon Hill Community Model Railway Club and the Woodturners Society of Queensland share that spirit of friendship, creativity and learning. This Men's Shed Week, I want to thank everyone who keeps these really important groups going.
To every volunteer who opens the doors, puts on the kettle, passes on a skill or checks in on a mate, thank you so much for everything you do to enable these groups to serve our community members. You give people a place where they are welcome, where their contribution is valued and where friendships can grow. Our community is stronger because you make time for one another.