Government pitches online laws as antisemitism fix

The Albanese government has recast its digital duty of care legislation as a central measure against online antisemitism, with Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal calling on Parliament to pass the laws when they are introduced in October.

Education Minister Jason Clare and Communications Minister Anika Wells both invoked Segal’s support in Question Time on Tuesday, in answers framed around the radicalisation of children online.

“Antisemitism has exploded online,” the government said, describing platforms as a breeding ground for antisemitism and the promotion of violent acts and terrorism. It cited research showing a 15-year-old boy needs only an hour on TikTok looking at lifestyle content before being served antisemitic conspiracy theories.

Segal pointed to the immediate aftermath of the Bondi Beach attack. “Within hours of the Bondi attack, we saw social media platforms feeding users denials that it was real, conspiracy theories that it was a ‘false flag’ operation and justifications for the murder of innocent people,” she said. “My hope is that a digital duty of care will make it harder for algorithms and recommender systems to dish up this sort of content to Australians, particularly children.

“People should have a choice of what they see — but, to the extent what they see is determined by algorithms, feeds should contain fewer overseas bots pushing malicious hate and fewer anonymous trolls using antisemitism to drive engagement.”