Australia’s top political leaders doubled down on plans to ban social media access for children under 16, showing rare unity on the issue ahead of the May 3 election even as pressure from tech giants is expected to mount.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton have reaffirmed their support for Australia’s upcoming ban on social media access for children under 16, despite expected pressure from major tech companies.
During a televised election debate ahead of the May 3 national vote, both leaders expressed strong bipartisan backing for the new restrictions, set to begin in December. The law will limit under- 16s' use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, and require tech firms to pay for hosting Australian news content.
Albanese said he anticipates lobbying efforts from social media giants as the enforcement date nears but emphasized that his government will not back down. He called the ban a "world-leading" measure.
Dutton echoed this stance, describing the opposition coalition as fully aligned with Labor on the issue. He criticized tech companies for exploiting young users and stressed the need to hold them accountable.
The debate panel declared Dutton the winner of the night’s exchange, although current polls show him trailing Albanese, with cost-of-living and housing remaining top concerns for voters.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 20th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 21st of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
At least six people were killed and 21 others injured after two earthquakes struck Peru's central Junín region, destroying dozens of homes and triggering a major emergency response.
Kylian Mbappé has become the first player to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Boot on more than one occasion. The French forward won the award presented to the top goalscorer of the tournament for the second time, despite France being knocked out in the semi-finals.
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Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has chaired his first Cabinet meeting, pledging to make the cost of living his government's central priority while signalling a broader effort to restore confidence in Britain's government and strengthen its international standing.
Russian strikes hit multiple locations across Ukraine, setting a large hardware store ablaze in the northeastern city of Sumy and damaging a residential building in the country's east, as fighting between the two sides continued to intensify.
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