Yesterday, the Albanese Government convened its second Online Harms Ministers Meeting, bringing together ministers across the Cabinet, led by Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland.
IJM Australia policy and campaigns lead, Briony Camp, commented that the continued focus and progress on improving the online regulatory framework in Australia has far reaching benefits.
“The Online Harms Ministers Meeting highlights the complexity of the issues we are seeking to tackle when we talk about online safety, and the variety of levels at which these need to be addressed,” Ms Camp said.
“This not only includes areas such as online scamming, but also the far-reaching impact of the exploitation of children through online platforms. There is no simple fix, and the solutions to solve these challenges need to be comprehensive.
“We welcome the Albanese Government’s continued focus on improving the safety of online platforms in Australia, recognising the benefits this work delivers overseas.
“We join the government in calling on the online industry to meet their responsibility for preventing and stopping online harms, including the sexual exploitation and abuse of children using their platforms.
“Tech sector regulation that moves the entire industry, such as prevention measures IJM is proposing as part of the review of Australia’s Basic Online Safety Expectations and Online Safety Act, will be critical in preventing online harm done to and by Australians.
IJM is the world’s largest anti-slavery organisation, which exists to strengthen justice systems to protect people in poverty from violence. The organisation has a specific focus on protecting children from online sexual exploitation and abuse in the Philippines by offenders in Australia and other developed countries.
“The greater degree to which we can prevent online harms, like sexual exploitation of children, from occurring, the better protected children will be – both in Australia and overseas,” Ms Camp added.
“The complexity of these issues cannot be understated, but neither can their impact, because the steps we take to enhance protections in Australia have a ripple effect around the world.”
