25 March 2024
Coalition Crackdown on Online Crime
The Coalition has today introduced legislation into Federal Parliament to pioneer the crackdown of the publication of criminal activity online.
The Crimes and Online Safety Legislation Amendment (Combatting Online Notoriety) Bill 2024 would make the publication of criminal activity online a Commonwealth offence, punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.
The legislation goes further in allowing courts to ban users from social media for up to two years and provides the eSafety Commissioner with specific powers to take down such material that may be published.
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said if enacted, the legislation would make a significant impact and should be supported by the Government.
“While the State and Federal Labor Governments do nothing to combat crime, the Coalition is being proactive by putting forward a meaningful proposal which could help lower the impact of these social media posts in encouraging others to join in stealing cars and breaking into houses,” he said.
“Criminals are taking to social media to promote their crimes and recruit the next generation, so this is groundbreaking legislation which would help break the cycle of youth crime.’
Mr Thompson said while it was a positive step, changes to the State Government Youth Justice Legislation by the State Labor Government were needed to ensure young offenders were kept off the streets.
“The power to change youth justice legislation lies with the State Government and with a decade of Labor watering down laws, we are yet to see the legislation changes that we are crying out for.
“I will not stop calling on the State Labor Government to do what needs to be done and that is removing detention as a last resort from the Youth Justice Act.”
ENDS