THE HON. KEVIN HOGAN MP
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR PAGE
SHADOW ASSISTANT TREASURER
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
Media Release
Labor’s latest attack on free speech
Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan has strongly opposed Labor’s Digital Duty of Care laws, warning it will give the government enormous power over what Australians can see online.
Mr Hogan said the exposure draft contained vague and subjective tests for determining what constituted online harm, while failing to provide adequate safeguards for free speech, journalism and legitimate political debate.
The proposed laws would force social media companies to decide what content could be considered “harmful”. Because they could face massive fines for getting it wrong, platforms would be more likely to remove posts even when the content is legitimate.
The laws will give significant decision-making power to the Minister and government regulators.
“I don’t trust Minister Wells to fill out her own parliamentary expense forms correctly. I certainly don’t trust her to decide what Australians can and cannot see online,” Mr Hogan said.
“When the rules are vague and the fines are enormous, platforms will censor first and ask questions later. Australians should decide what they see online – not Anika Wells. I will continue to fight any attempt to hand a government minister this level of control.”
ENDS
16 September 2026
Media:
Kevin Hogan: 0428 291 307
Immy Cook: 0419 821 142