Story perspectives

Digital Duty of Care bill targets social media, AI with $109M fines

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 12:42 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Leigh Blames Media

The Digital Duty of Care bill fines social media and AI firms up to $109 million.
Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh said media fuels violence in his “The Anger Machine” speech.
Leigh cited a German study that anti-refugee Facebook posts predicted refugee attacks.
Deputy Commissioner Sandra Booth warned of a youth-crime “tsunami” driven by social media and AI.
Booth testified a 13-year-old possessed extremist material and was groomed for a school shooting.

Summary

Helen Haines Attacked

MP Helen Haines was violently attacked, losing both legs.
ASIO chief Mike Burgess said the security environment is concerning after the attack.
Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said MP threats rose from 555 to 1,067 last year.
Senator Fatima Payman reported over 100 threats, with seven cases now before courts.
Prof. Patrick McGorry warned tens of thousands of mentally ill Australians lack care after hospital closures.

Summary

Albanese Seeks Taylor

Advocates urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to phone Liberal minister Angus Taylor to negotiate the Hate Machine bill.
They warn that without Taylor’s cooperation Albanese may need the Greens to pass the bill.
The article says the Coalition would lose input if negotiations move to the Greens.
Both sides are condemned for drafting “dirt sheets” on opponents.
It alleges Albanese’s office circulated a sheet questioning Helen Haines’ infrastructure project motives.

History

Historical Context

Germany’s Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG), enacted in June 2017, compelled social-media platforms to remove illegal hate content within 24 hours. The law, backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Justice Ministry, threatened fines of €50 million or 0.1 % revenue for platforms like Facebook. Today, Australia’s Duty of Care bill echoes NetzDG, targeting social-media and AI firms with penalties up to $109 million after MP Helen Haines’ assault and threats. If enforced, the legislation could reshape online discourse, compel platforms to police extremist content, and set a precedent for future Commonwealth digital safety frameworks.

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Leigh Blames Media

The Digital Duty of Care bill fines social media and AI firms up to $109 million.
Treasury Minister Andrew Leigh said media fuels violence in his “The Anger Machine” speech.
Leigh cited a German study that anti-refugee Facebook posts predicted refugee attacks.
Deputy Commissioner Sandra Booth warned of a youth-crime “tsunami” driven by social media and AI.
Booth testified a 13-year-old possessed extremist material and was groomed for a school shooting.

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