Online Safety Or Online Control?

OPINION PIECE By Andrew Willcox MP, Federal Member for Dawson

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In a world of social media, AI and ever-evolving technologies, the digital landscape can be imposing. We all want to feel safe online, protect our children and control what appears on their devices. Protections should be strengthened and big tech held accountable.

But the price should never be our freedom of speech and personal expression.

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The Labor Government says its proposed Digital Duty of Care laws are about keeping Australians safe and giving users more control over online feeds through algorithm opt- outs. It sounds reasonable, until you dig deeper.

What the Albanese Government actually wants is control, bringing back its previously failed misinformation agenda by stealth and giving government greater influence over what Australians can view online.

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During a speech at the UN, Albanese revealed just how broadly his government views these laws:

“Whilst today we're concentrating on the impact on children, the truth is this is having an impact on our entire society and how it functions with misinformation, disinformation. With the increased polarisation that we're seeing as well in the political system, where people are moving away from the centre and more and more to the extremes, be they of the left or the right. And that is why we think that this is a very positive move that's being put forward.”

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That raises serious concerns about government using online safety laws to influence what Australians see, read and debate. The Government says the legislation shifts the focus from reacting to harms topreventing them. But who decides what is “harmful”?

The proposed legislation would give government regulators greater powers over how online platforms manage content.

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This is too much power in the hands of government and every Australian should be alarmed.

Consider debates about climate change or the definition of gender. If platforms fear regulatory consequences for allowing controversial opinions, they may restrict lawful content rather than risk penalties.

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That could stifle debate and diminish voters' access to differing opinions.

We already have laws governing what Australians can publish online. People should be free to challenge government policy, question experts and disagree with others without fear that lawful views will be suppressed.

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Protecting Australians online matters. Protecting children matters. But online safety and freedom should never be competing values.

We can keep Australians safe without handing government the power to control the conversation.

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