![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792030091_475_Josh_Butler.png\")
Josh Butler<\/p>\nJosh Butler<\/p>\n
Conservative campaign against DDOC \u2018absolute rubbish\u2019, Hanson-Young says<\/p>\n
The Greens want Labor\u2019s digital duty of care bill to go much further, confirming they will send the legislation off to an inquiry but that they support the bill in principle.<\/p>\n
Sarah Hanson-Young said Australians were \u201csick and tired of being manipulated, dictated and addicted by big tech\u201d, saying the Greens would back the bill if the government added the ability for Australians to directly sue tech companies. The inquiry, which will be formally locked in later today, will report back in late November.<\/p>\n
She also said that rightwing campaigns against the legislation were \u201crunning cover for big tech\u201d.<\/p>\n
double quotation markTo suggest this is about censorship or about shutting down anything is absolute rubbish. It is a fake debate, it\u2019s got nothing to do with it, and it is purely the radical right running the speaking points of big tech.<\/p>\n
She went on to say that the Greens would introduce a bill in the November sitting period to \u201cban the broadcast of live executions\u201d, after a debate earlier in the week about whether Australian regulators could block the looming US military execution which is expected to be livestreamed.<\/p>\n
Conservative campaign groups, podcasters and media personalities have strongly criticised the bill, claiming it would be used to censor right-wing groups and viewpoints – claims the government strongly denies. The bill was a major topic of debate at the CPAC conservative conference last weekend in Brisbane.<\/p>\n
Updated at\u00a021.33 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Government contemplating allowing individuals to sue tech platforms<\/p>\n Anika Wells says the government is considering one of the key asks from the Greens, that individuals be allowed to take matters into their own hands and sue a tech company if they\u2019ve experienced harm on their platform.<\/p>\n Wells says it\u2019s worked successfully in the US where individuals have that power.<\/p>\n double quotation markI think it\u2019s fair to say that our e\u2013Safety commissioner does a marvellous job at enforcement and compliance, but it\u2019s a huge burden and private right of action allows people to share that burden. It is something that we would contemplate because it has been something that has come in through the consultation process.<\/p>\n She says the government is working through that and negotiating \u201cin good faith\u201d with the Greens.<\/p>\n Asked next if the government would consider introducing safety ratings for tech platforms, like ones that exist for car breaks, she says \u201cdare to dream\u201d \u2026 maybe one day.<\/p>\n double quotation markI need to get this through the Senate to legislate a baseline basic safety standard, but, yes, it is my vision that ultimately we would be in a race to the top where tech companies want you to know them as the safest place your child.<\/p>\n Anika Wells at the National Press Club in Canberra. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.05 EDT<\/p>\n People can still listen to manosphere podcasts and spread conspiracy theories under digital duty of care laws<\/p>\n Anika Wells is trying to dispel claims \u2013 many coming from the Coalition<\/a> \u2013 that the government\u2019s duty of care bills will amount to censorship and stop criticism of he government.<\/p>\n Speaking at the National Press Club, she says that\u2019s not true, and adults can still access whatever wacky content they want, as long as it\u2019s not illegal.<\/p>\n double quotation markThe digital duty of care is not a stepping stone for regulating misinformation and disinformation. If adults listen to manosphere podcasts or people post their views about the government or make memes or want to say the moon landing was fake, they can continue to do so without restriction.<\/p>\n She then slightly misspeaks, taking a pause before correcting herself:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe are controlling \u2013 we are not controlling free speech, we are not conducting covert surveillance.<\/p>\n The Coalition has vowed to oppose the bill but the Greens are more willing \u2013 as long as the penalties are much stronger and individuals can directly sue tech platforms.<\/p>\n The communications and sport minister, Anika Wells, addresses the National Press Club in Canberra on Thursday. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a022.03 EDT<\/p>\n Labor to commission independent review into controversial automated aged care assessment tool<\/p>\n Labor has announced an independent review of a controversial algorithm aged care assessment tool which experts and advocates say had no human override function.<\/p>\n The government has faced sustained pressure over the issue to allow humans to review and change decisions made by the automated tool.<\/p>\n The integrated assessment tool (IAT) involves an assessor asking an older person questions about their physical, social and personal circumstances to determine how much government-funded home support they are eligible to receive.<\/p>\n It\u2019s separate to an review by the commonwealth ombudsman<\/a> into the tool that is ongoing.<\/p>\n In a statement, the minister said:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe have made refinements where people\u2019s experience of the system shows it is needed. We\u2019ve changed the Aged Care Rules to help more people receive care faster, to ensure the accuracy of assessment inputs and to recognise Motor Neurone Disease as a discrete, specific condition warranting urgent priority for Support at Home.<\/p>\n This review will build on that work and respond to feedback that while these changes have made improvements, the assessment systems are not always getting it right.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Anti-abortion campaigner and ex Liberal MP claims Ben Carroll \u2018sucked in\u2019 to abortion changes by the left of his party<\/p>\n Bernie Finn, an anti-abortion campaigner and former Victorian Liberal MP who went on to join the Democratic Labour party in Victoria, then Family First and now is a member of One Nation<\/a>, has unsurprisingly criticised Labor\u2019s plan to make abortion care free in the state. <\/p>\n Speaking on ABC Radio Melbourne, he said:<\/p>\n double quotation markI\u2019m really surprised that Ben has been sucked into this by obviously the socialist left of the ALP.<\/p>\n Finn said it would cost Carroll the election:<\/p>\n double quotation markWhen you\u2019ve got a health system that\u2019s falling to bits, you can\u2019t get into a hospital because the ambulances are ranked up for miles, but yet we\u2019ll pay for your abortion. I mean, what does that say to people out there? What is their government\u2019s priority? That is insane.<\/p>\n He also expressed his disappointment that Liberal leader Jess Wilson had made it clear she would not change the state\u2019s abortion laws if elected:<\/p>\n double quotation markThere are very few Christian Conservatives left in the Liberal party. I mean, the Liberal party is in many ways as leftwing as the Labor party these days. There is really only one option for anybody else to go to.<\/p>\n Bernie Finn. Photograph: AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.24 EDT<\/p>\n Jess Wilson says Labor\u2019s abortion policy is \u2018playing politics with women\u2019s reproductive rights\u2019<\/p>\n Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson, has reiterated that the Coalition has no plans to change the state\u2019s abortion laws, despite the Labor government suggesting today they could oversee a rollback if forced into a minority government with One Nation<\/a>.<\/p>\n While announcing a $30m election commitment to remove the out-of-pocket cost of abortion care, the health minister, Ingrid Stitt, attempted to align the Coalition<\/a> with One Nation, which wants to roll back abortion rights.<\/p>\n Wilson, however, said there would be no changes to the laws under a government she leads:<\/p>\n double quotation markVictorians know where I stand on this issue. There will be no changes to abortion laws under a government I lead. Full stop. And I think it\u2019s incredibly disappointing to see Labor playing politics with women\u2019s reproductive rights five minutes before an election.<\/p>\n The opposition leader also described the premier, Ben Carroll, as a \u201ccoward\u201d for not appearing at the press conference with his minister:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe are seeing an end-of-days government, a desperate government, and I think that Ben Carroll should be ashamed of himself. To stand up and to play political football with women\u2019s reproductive rights is disgusting. He is a coward for not standing up today to back in his own policy.<\/p>\n She said the Coalition would accept an element of the government\u2019s plan, which would extend a travel subsidy to regional Victorian women who must travel long distances for abortion care. Wilson was not asked if she would adopt Labor\u2019s entire proposal.<\/p>\n Victorian opposition leader, Jess Wilson. Photograph: Con Chronis\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.12 EDT<\/p>\n Conservative campaign against DDOC \u2018absolute rubbish\u2019, Hanson-Young says<\/p>\n The Greens want Labor\u2019s digital duty of care bill to go much further, confirming they will send the legislation off to an inquiry but that they support the bill in principle.<\/p>\n Sarah Hanson-Young said Australians were \u201csick and tired of being manipulated, dictated and addicted by big tech\u201d, saying the Greens would back the bill if the government added the ability for Australians to directly sue tech companies. The inquiry, which will be formally locked in later today, will report back in late November.<\/p>\n She also said that rightwing campaigns against the legislation were \u201crunning cover for big tech\u201d.<\/p>\n double quotation markTo suggest this is about censorship or about shutting down anything is absolute rubbish. It is a fake debate, it\u2019s got nothing to do with it, and it is purely the radical right running the speaking points of big tech.<\/p>\n She went on to say that the Greens would introduce a bill in the November sitting period to \u201cban the broadcast of live executions\u201d, after a debate earlier in the week about whether Australian regulators could block the looming US military execution which is expected to be livestreamed.<\/p>\n Conservative campaign groups, podcasters and media personalities have strongly criticised the bill, claiming it would be used to censor right-wing groups and viewpoints – claims the government strongly denies. The bill was a major topic of debate at the CPAC conservative conference last weekend in Brisbane.<\/p>\n Sarah Hanson-Young. Photograph: James Ross\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.33 EDT<\/p>\n Unemployment reaches 4.7% in September Unemployment has reached 4.7% and is at its highest in nearly five years after the economy shed jobs in September as cost of living and higher interest rates bite.<\/p>\n The total number of employed Australians dropped by 39,300 jobs in the month, a surprise for economists who had expected employment to rise.<\/p>\n Full-time employment increased by 34,400 in September, but this was more than offset by a sharp drop in part-time employment of 73,700.<\/p>\n The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures would have shown the jobless rate ticking higher last month had it not revised up the August figure from 4.6% to 4.7%.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a021.04 EDT<\/p>\n NSW will waive stamp duty for restructuring trusts<\/p>\n Daniel Mookhey, the NSW treasurer, says his state will waive stamp duty for small businesses and others who restructure their trusts to avoid paying the federal government\u2019s proposed 30% minimum tax.<\/p>\n Jim Chalmers, the treasurer, yesterday introduced the new trust minimum tax legislation into parliament, including an option for discretionary trusts to opt to become a new \u201cexcluded election trust\u201d that would not be subject to the new and potentially higher tax rate on trust income.<\/p>\n The decision by NSW will be a boost to Chalmers, who has faced trenchant opposition from business groups over his tax reforms. The question now is whether other states and territories will follow suit.<\/p>\n Mookhey in a statement this morning said:<\/p>\n double quotation markNSW needs small businesses to thrive. We want them to grow. We want them to hire more people. We don\u2019t want them to worry that their state is trying to make a windfall gain at their expense.<\/p>\n While the federal government\u2019s proposed tax changes are still some way off, we want businesses to have as much certainty as possible, as early as possible, so they can carry on with more confidence.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Liberal senator urges action to ban shackling of incarcerated pregnant women<\/p>\n Liberal senator Paul Scarr has spoken out in the Senate against Labor and the Coalition who will reject a bill by independent Lidia Thorpe to ban the shackling of incarcerated pregnant women.<\/a><\/p>\n He says he\u2019s \u201cdeeply concerned\u201d having recently learned of the practice that has occurred across the country. He says he will be raising it directly with the state Queensland attorney general.<\/p>\n He suggests that it\u2019s a bit of a cop-out for the major parties to argue that these issues occur under state and territory jurisdiction, and says the government should consider convening a national cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n double quotation markI have considerable sympathy in relation to this legislation and the issues it\u2019s seeking to address \u2026 What I\u2019ve heard deeply concerns me and I do hope, that this vote shouldn\u2019t be an end to this matter, we\u2019ve got to do better than this and we\u2019ve got to look at ways this issue can be addressed.<\/p>\n He says Australia and all of the members of the UN general assembly unanimously adopted the Bangkok rules in late 2010, which says that shackling \u201ca pregnant women during transfers to hospitals, gynaecological examinations and birth \u2026 violates international standards\u201d.<\/p>\n Liberal senator Paul Scarr. Photograph: Lukas Coch\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.59 EDT<\/p>\n Labor and Coalition set to reject bill to stop incarcerated women being shackled<\/p>\n Lidia Thorpe\u2019s bills to prevent incarcerated women being shackled while giving birth, and stop children being strip-searched will fail in the Senate.<\/p>\n Thorpe tells the horrific stories of women who gave evidence to a committee examining the bill:<\/p>\n double quotation markIn 2026 people can be shackled while giving birth, and children can can also have their clothes removed by adults to examine their bodies legally \u2026 the people sitting in this room have the power to end these barbaric, inhumane traumatic and totally unnecessary practices.<\/p>\n Independent senator Lidia Thorpe. Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAP<\/p>\n The government says \u201cthe responsibility of criminal justice system predominantly sits with state and territory government\u201d, and that\u2019s why they\u2019ll reject the bill, while the Coalition<\/a> says it \u201cunderstands the intent\u201d of the bill but also won\u2019t support it.<\/p>\n The Greens leader, David Shoebridge says the practice of shackling is a disgrace:<\/p>\n double quotation markTo have the Labor party and Coalition come in here and say no, no we\u2019re not going to stop this practice \u2026 the Labor party and the Coalition come in here and say it\u2019s a matter for states and territories if they want to shackle women to a bed while they\u2019re giving birth we\u2019ll just let them do that \u2026 don\u2019t torture women giving birth and don\u2019t strip-search children.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a020.34 EDT<\/p>\n Black market hiding illegal cigarettes in plain sight<\/p>\n Black market tobacco trade continues to thrive as sellers turn to counterfeit packaging to skirt bans, prompting calls for the urgent passing of tougher laws, AAP reports.<\/p>\n Intelligence provided to the federal government shows cigarettes in plain, Australian-style packaging are being produced illegally at an industrial scale in south-east Asian warehouses.<\/p>\n Factories owned and operated by criminal syndicates, primarily based in Cambodia, are pumping out increasingly sophisticated fake products that replicate common brands, some even branded with Australian health warnings.<\/p>\n Cigarettes in plain, Australian-style packaging are being produced illegally in south-east Asia. Photograph: NSW Health<\/p>\n The customs minister, Julian Hill, has urge his parliamentary counterparts to pass tough laws as soon as possible, with a new bill on tobacco trade expected to be debated in the Senate today.<\/p>\n It would give law enforcement stronger powers to detect and disrupt illegal tobacco trade lines, including choking off criminal profits.<\/p>\n Hill says sophisticated overseas production is becoming harder to notice and stop.<\/p>\n double quotation markSerious and organised criminal syndicates have weaponised the cheap oversupply of tobacco globally and will do anything to make a buck \u2026 the crooks will continue to adapt their tactics.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a019.07 EDT<\/p>\n Mark Butler introduces private health insurance rebate \u2026 again<\/p>\n The health minister, Mark Butler, has reintroduced his bill to reduce private health insurance rebates for over-65s after it was thrown out by the Senate yesterday by the Coalition<\/a> and crossbench.<\/p>\n He has made no changes to the bill, and the Coalition and Greens have said they will not support it in its current form \u2013 so it could just go to die in the Senate again.<\/p>\n Butler says the bill is important \u201cin order to re-establish intergenerational equity and to better target and simplify the rebate\u201d.<\/p>\n He maintains Australians over 65 will pay about $250 per year more due to the changes (though it will be more for those with higher-level cover) and that private health insurance uptake is still expected to increase among that cohort.<\/p>\n Minister for health, Mark Butler (centre). Photograph: Mick Tsikas\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a018.59 EDT<\/p>\n Wells introduces digital duty of care bill to House<\/p>\n Anika Wells has introduced her bill to force tech companies to prevent harmful and illegal content from appearing on their platforms in Australia.<\/p>\n She\u2019ll continue trying to sell the legislation to the public when she appears at the National Press Club later today.<\/p>\n The Coalition<\/a> are dead against the bill, while the Greens want bigger fines and the ability for Australians to sue the platforms directly.<\/p>\n It means the legislation can go through the House as soon as the government wants, but it needs the Greens on side to get it through the Senate.<\/p>\n Wells tells the House:<\/p>\n double quotation markThe core of the digital duty of care bill is to provide a safe online environment where all Australians are protected from seriously harmful and illegal conduct. It moves the safety net upstream to the people who design the product to stop the harm before it ever reaches an Australian.<\/p>\n She also pushes back on claims from the Coalition that the government is using the bill to censor individuals.<\/p>\n double quotation markIt is not about controlling adults online; it is about getting illegal and seriously harmful material offline, and giving adults choice.<\/p>\n![\"Sarah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/4715.jpg\")
Sarah Hanson-Young. Photograph: James Ross\/AAPShare<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Benita](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792030092_823_Benita_Kolovos.png\")
Benita Kolovos<\/p>\nBenita Kolovos<\/p>\nJosh Butler<\/p>\n![\"Patrick](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/1792030093_619_Patrick_Commins.png\")
Patrick Commins<\/p>\nPatrick Commins<\/p>\n