Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP has welcomed the Morrison Government’s world-leading reforms to Australia’s defamation laws that will protect Australians and Australian businesses from online trolls, as well as significant legal liabilities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash announced urgent reforms that will both address the significant harm dealt by trolls, bots and bigots and respond to the High Court’s decision in the Voller case.

“Social media can too often be a cowards’ palace, where the anonymous can bully, harass and ruin lives without consequence,” the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison MP, said.

“We would not accept these faceless attacks in a school, at home, in the office, or on the street. And we must not stand for it online, on our devices and in our homes. The rules that exist in the real world, should exist online too.

“Anonymous trolls are on notice. You will be named, shamed and held to account for what you say.”

The Voller case made clear that Australians who maintain social media pages can be ‘publishers’ of defamatory comments made by others on social media—even if the page owner does not know about the comments.

“Since the High Court’s decision in the Voller case, it is clear that ordinary Australians are at risk of being held legally responsible for defamatory material posted by anonymous online trolls,” said Attorney-General Michaelia Cash.

“This is not fair and it is not right. Australians expect to be held accountable for their own actions, but shouldn’t be made to pay for the actions of others that they cannot control.”

The reforms will make clear that, in defamation law, Australians who operate or maintain a social media page are not ‘publishers’ of comments made by others.

The Prime Minister said these reforms will also empower Australians to ‘unmask’ online trolls who post defamatory comments anonymously.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP said the Australian Government is committed to protecting Australians from online harms.

“These reforms are about ensuring that families and business across Bonner will be protected from harmful defamatory comments made by anonymous trolls online,” said Mr Vasta.

“Under the new powers, social media companies will be declared publishers and will be held liable for any defamatory remarks, unless they assist to identify anonymous trolls and resolve disputes.

“These will be among the strongest powers to tackle online trolls in the world. If we are going to be a world-leading digital economy, then it is critical Australians can trust the safety and security of the online world.”

The reforms will incentivise social media providers to put new pathways in place for victims to obtain the contact details of anonymous online trolls, which will assist in starting defamation proceedings.

Under a new complaints scheme, victims could complain to the social media provider about defamatory posts, and the social media provider could disclose the poster’s contact details with consent. Victims would also be able to apply for a new form of Federal Court order to unmask the identity of the anonymous poster. The new complaints scheme and court orders will be simple, accessible and affordable.

To incentivise platforms, social media providers will be deemed to be ‘publishers’ of defamatory comments made on their platforms. However, they will have the benefit of a defence to defamation proceedings if they adopt the new mechanisms to unmask online trolls.

“Social media providers should bear their fair share of responsibility for defamatory material published on their platforms,” the Attorney-General said. ‘This reflects the current law.’

“However, if defamatory comments are made in Australia, and social media providers help victims contact the individuals responsible, it is appropriate they have access to a defence.”

The urgent reforms will complement the defamation reforms currently being progressed in partnership with states and territories, and sit alongside the Government’s commitment to improving online safety.

Deputy Speaker, I am pleased to update the house that we’re keeping up the momentum with my plan to deliver more mental health services on the Bayside in my electorate of Bonner.

The last time I spoke on it was in July after convening the Bayside Mental Health Working Group which was attended by local mental health and community providers.

My aim was to bring these important voices together and start a conversation around the services locals are calling for.

Since then, meaningful progress has been made.

I’ve met with Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, David Coleman who has provided his support.

I’ve also been meeting regularly with Brisbane South PHN to determine how we can fill the gaps.

And after being made aware of a mental health plan they are working on alongside Feros Care with the intention to be tailored to the youth of the Bayside, last week I reconvened the working group.

Over 20 local mental health experts and community providers heard from Brisbane South PHN and Feros Care who presented this early intervention and prevention approach.

Deputy Speaker, young people are the largest cohort of Australian’s experiencing problematic loneliness.

Social connections are the greatest protection against depression and are proven to reduce suicidal behaviour.

That’s why responding to it by delivering accessible support services is of great urgency.

The mental health of our community cannot be underestimated, and I look forward to continuing to work with Brisbane South PHN and the Bayside Mental Health Working Group.

Deputy Speaker, I rise today to bust the myths of this motion.

And to speak on the infrastructure investment commitments our government has made and is making right across the country.

Deputy Speaker, our government hears the needs of Australians and we respond.

That is why during this year’s Budget, we made it clear that we are building the infrastructure our country needs for the future with our 10-year, $110 billion investment pipeline.

For better roads, faster commutes and most importantly, making sure Australians can get home sooner and safer.

We’ve also invested a further $1 billion in road safety upgrades to save lives and a further $1 billion in local road infrastructure projects.

Deputy Speaker, in my electorate of Bonner our government is delivering for locals.

In September, I went to see the upgrades to the M1 between Sports Drive and the Gateway Motorway thanks to the $110 billion investment pipeline.

This is a 3.5-kilometre upgrade which is part of the broader $750 million, 8 kilometre M1 Eight Mile Plains to Daily Hill project.

By alleviating congestion along critical sections of roads like this one we’re helping freight move more quickly between our cities, and we’re generating jobs across the country.

And Deputy Speaker, I am especially proud of my ongoing partnership with Brisbane City Council and Lord Mayor Adrian Schinner.

Working together for our community, we have a strong track record of upgrading local roads and building a better Brisbane.

Last month, the Lord Mayor and I visited some of the works currently underway.

My electorate is home to Newham and Wecker Rd which was rated the fifth most dangerous intersection in Queensland by RACQ.

There is a great urgency amongst the community to fix this problem area and I was proud to secure $12 million in funding for this project, which will be delivered by Brisbane City Council.

It will involve the construction of new turning lanes, signalised pedestrian crossings, improved footpaths and the coordination of traffic lights.

Deputy Speaker, our government is also contributing to the Brisbane Metro project with Brisbane City Council.

This is a major project and one that is strongly aligned with our plan to reduce emissions.

We are contributing $300 million to the vital project with construction currently underway of a new depot facility at School Road in Rochedale.

The depot will provide storage for the new battery electric Brisbane metro vehicle fleet, advanced charging infrastructure, maintenance, and staff facilities.

Brisbane Metro will have four stops in Bonner and with transport being one of the major sources of carbon emissions, this project demonstrates the importance of working with all levels of government to reduce our footprint across the country.

It is fantastic to see our government leading these initiatives and forging the way for a cleaner and greener public transport system.

Deputy Speaker, the last time I spoke on Lindum Crossing in the house, I was pleased to share that the long-awaited upgrades were getting underway.

I’ve been fighting for this upgrade since 2017 when over 7000 locals in Bonner signed my petition to fix Lindum Crossing.

We were successful and in 2019 the Federal Government committed $85 million to this worthy project.

Brisbane City Council have also come to the table with $40 million to fix Lindum Crossing.

This month, we commenced the first stage of immediate safety upgrades to the crossing, thanks to $1 million from our Federal funds.

These works will include the installation of new and extended median islands as well as new on-road line markings and resurfacing.

And this weekend, there are scheduled upgrades to the rail corridor.

This first stage is critical to ensuring the crossing is safe for our community while more extensive planning can be undertaken for the long-term grade separation of Lindum Crossing.

We are motoring ahead and fixing Lindum once and for all.

And Deputy Speaker, what’s more is that working alongside Brisbane City Council, we’ve started construction of the Chelsea Road and Rickertt Road intersection upgrade and Wakerley Bikeway project in Ransome.

I was very pleased to secure $6 million in funding for this vital project.

Our government has also allocated $14 million towards fixing the notorious Rochedale Roundabout, which will improve the intersection and safety for all commuters and will cater for future traffic demands in this fast growing suburb.

Deputy Speaker, I have spoken of many projects today that are underway in Bonner.

And with funding delivered by the Morrison Government to benefit our local roads and address the needs of commuters.

Our commitment to infrastructure funding couldn’t be stronger.