House of Representatives 30 July 2025
Speaker:
I call the Member for Fisher.
Andrew Wallace MP:
Thanks, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Nine years ago, I came into politics because I wanted to make a difference to my community. I felt passionately about many things and the protection of children was one of them.
In 2020, when I was Chair of the Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee, I led a report which looked into the dangers of online wagering and online pornography for children under 18 years of age. That report, Protecting the Age of Innocence, was tabled in February 2020. Our Government provided a formal response in 2021. Since then, nothing has been done.
Yes, there has been a change of government. But we all know the saying: you shouldn’t be able to do online what you can’t do in the real world. And that is absolutely right.
A child, whether they are 16, 14 or even 8 years old cannot walk into a newsagent and buy a Penthouse or Playboy. They cannot access pornography in the real world. And yet, online, all it takes is ticking a box to say you’re 18.
The likes of Pornhub are preying on our children as young as eight. Why? Because they want a captive audience through their teenage years and into adulthood.
And this isn’t the pornography of yesteryear. This is hardcore, violent, misogynistic content that demeans women and warps a child’s understanding of relationships, intimacy and respect.
So I issue this challenge to the Labor Government: pick up these bipartisan recommendations. Pick up Protecting the Age of Innocence.
This report was not just supported by Coalition members. It included contributions from the Member for Macquarie, the Member for Macarthur and others across the aisle.
We recommended the introduction of mandatory age verification for online pornography and online wagering. A child can’t walk into a TAB and put a bet on the horses, nor should they be able to do it from their bedroom.
There’s a lot of talk about social media right now, and I sat on that inquiry too. It’s important. But let’s not forget this issue. Let’s revisit these recommendations. Give parents the tools they need. Our children only get one chance to be kids.
END
