Government Backflips After Campaign Puts Spotlight on Labor’s Affair with Big Porn Industry

After years of advocacy from Members of Parliament, child safety organisations, parents, victim- survivors, and even the eSafety Commissioner and Children’s Commissioner, the Albanese Labor Government have finally agreed to implement an age assurance trial for online pornography.

The concession comes after a sustained campaign by Andrew Wallace, who claimed that Labor were “in bed with Big Porn” after refusing expert advice to act on underage porn access. It also follows on from a razor-sharp rebuke in a letter signed by 50 leading child safety groups and peak bodies, including the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Bravehearts and Collective Shout.

Andrew Wallace, the Deputy Chair of Parliament’s intelligence and security committee, chaired two landmark inquiries into age verification for online pornography, and into family, domestic and sexual violence. Recommendations from both inquiries included a trial for age assurance technologies, the implementation of a social media ID verification regime, and a greater focus on technology- facilitated abuse – issues Mr Wallace has since championed.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation welcomes the news that the Govt is looking at a trial of age verification. “We along with the Office of E-Safety, National Office of Child Safety (NOCS) and industry professionals have lobbied long and hard for such a move.” Said Denise Morcombe

The Sunshine Coast MP welcomed the news, saying that parents, experts and child safety organisations have been fighting for too long to make age assurance a reality. The father of four also welcomed the Government’s commitment to ban the creation and distribution of deepfake porn, ‘doxxing’, and revenge porn, as well as continuing work on awareness raising and classification reforms.

“I’m glad the Government’s finally seen reason and will back our plan for age assurance when it comes to online pornography. This should have been done a long time ago, but better late than never,” Mr Wallace said.

“The fact is that the predatory porn industry and big tech have run roughshod over the mental health, sexual development, and safety of our kids. Age assurance will go some way in preventing underage porn exposure, but it’s not a silver bullet,” Mr Wallace continued.

“Labor have finally acknowledged the harm caused by social media algorithms and anonymity. Yet there’s no news about social media ID verification and no news about regulating the algorithms which are driving violence, extremism, mental illness and harm.” Mr Wallace noted, adding. “More must be done.”

“All the money in the world cannot change the hearts and minds of predators and perpetrators. We need bold action, not big announcements if we’re serious about reducing sexual violence and keeping kids safe,” Mr Wallace concluded.