Gender debates, including arguments over transgender rights, will not be policed under Labor’s digital reforms, Communications Minister Anika Wells has said.
But Ms Wells was unable to explain more precisely how the Government would decide whether online material expressed a hostile attitude towards women.
Asked whether public figures such as author J. K. Rowling, who has used her platform to promote anti-trans views, could be affected, Ms Wells said the provision was aimed at different content.
“No, a hostile attitude example that I used at the National Press Club is material that says to young boys that consent doesn’t matter,” she told ABC’s 7.30.
Ms Wells said the eSafety Commissioner would publish regulatory guidance to help determine whether online content was hostile, including by assessing its intent.
She said the provision had been included in the bill after requests from more than 20 women’s groups and teachers’ coalitions across Australia.
“The reason that that provision is in the bill is because we had more than 20 women’s groups and teachers, teachers’ coalitions from across the country ask us to incorporate that because they’ve noticed that young boys coming through the education system have these hostile attitudes,” Ms Wells said.
She said guidance previously issued on the reasonable steps required for social media platforms under minimum-age reforms would also help determine how technology companies assessed risks on their platforms.
