Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026

Ms WELLS (Lilley—Minister for Sport and Minister for Communications) (16:12): I move: That the amendments be agreed to. Australia's social media minimum age law was the first of its kind in the world, and we were clear from the start that we would need to be flexible as that law was implemented because, as lawmakers, we have to be as agile as the technology we are trying to protect our kids from.

It's clear to most Australians that social media companies are pulling out every trick in the global big tech playbook to do the bare minimum. Today the Albanese government has sent a clear message to big tech. If you want to do business in Australia, you must follow Australian laws.

I thank the senators and members who worked constructively with the government to strengthen the eSafety Commissioner's powers to hold these companies to account. Australian families will remember that you stood with them on the right side of history. Australian families will not forget the senators and members who sold them out for political points from the far right.

Today the coalition voted against Labor's bill to strengthen Australia's social media minimum age laws. The modern coalition has no shame, putting politics ahead of what Australians have demanded of their elected representatives. The coalition chose to run a protection racket for big tech instead of backing Australian families and kids.

Opposition members interjecting— Ms WELLS: A million views—you wish! Today in question time, the Leader of the Opposition leaned across the dispatch box and accused me of hiding behind grieving parents. He's wrong on that.

This government proudly stands with grieving parents. At least we stand for something. Australian families know now that Labor is the only major party who is delivering online safety for young people.

We are the only major party left. They know now that the coalition cannot be trusted on online safety. They dawdle, they obfuscate, they cower to One Nation and they refuse to back parents, while Labor works to get the job done and today delivers for Australian families.