This Month
Australia’s biggest billionaire feud is over
The pair have been at loggerheads since 2022 over what Andrew Forrest claims was Kerry Stokes’ anger over mining trucks.
March
Labor’s latest excuse for YouTube ban exemption
New documents reveal a third reason the Albanese government has exempted YouTube from its social media ban for people under 16: “Broad community sentiment.”
‘Irrational and indefensible’ YouTube call was government’s alone
The Albanese government announced YouTube would be exempt from its social media ban without seeking mandatory advice from its eSafety Commissioner.
Highest costs, lowest speeds make NBN a financial albatross for Australia
On this trajectory, the NBN may be ultimately regarded as one of the worst investments in Australia’s history.
Big tech slams ‘sweetheart deal’ for YouTube in social ban
The tech giants say carving out YouTube from a ban on social media for people under 16 would be like banning soft drinks for children but allowing Coca-Cola.
NBN Co set to choose Amazon over Musk’s Starlink for satellite service
Amazon last year said Australia would be one of the first countries offered access to its Kuiper low earth orbit network of 3236 satellites, known as a LEOSat network.
February
Labor says it will back high-tech bush mobile phone satellite network
The proposed law would oblige and support companies like Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom to extend coverage across the country even where there are no towers.
YouTube’s social media ban exemption under fire as rivals seethe
The Department of Communications met with Meta, Snap and TikTok to discuss how they’re supposed to age-restrict their platforms, while their rival remains exempt.
Social media giants face massive fines under proposed safety laws
If adopted by the Albanese government, the new penalties would likely affect platforms owned by Meta as well as TikTok, SnapChat, and Elon Musk’s X.
December 2024
ABC to get $126m post-election funding injection
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland will also seek to make law the five-year funding agreements Labor committed to at the 2022 election.
November 2024
Worried about the social media ban for kids? Read this
The pioneering age-limit laws are set to be approved by the Senate on Thursday. Here’s what we know (and just as importantly what we don’t know) about how they will work.
Labor vowed to ban sports gambling ads (18 months ago)
Nothing has happened. The prime minister has gone from blasting gambling advertising around sport as “reprehensible” to admitting he hasn’t been able to see it through.
Coalition MPs to cross the floor on social media ban
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was forced to confirm that platforms would not be able to compel users to hand over sensitive identification documents.
Kim Williams’ protege in the lead for ACMA role
Widely expected to eventually replace Creina Chapman is authority member Adam Suckling.
Labor leaves YouTube out of under-16s social media ban
The government initially said YouTube would be caught under new laws banning people under 16 from using social media. Its view has since changed.
Principals back social media ban but won’t give up YouTube
Two veteran educators say YouTube will likely still be used by teachers in the classroom, even if students are banned from using it.
Canberra takes on big tech – and Gen Alpha – with social media bans
All Australians could be forced to register official identity documents with social media giants to prove they are over the age of 16.
‘Harming our kids’: PM announces social media ban for under-16s
In a potential early flashpoint with Trump ally Elon Musk, the government will bring in big fines for social media companies that break the proposed laws.
October 2024
Social media penalties ‘must include big fines’
Tech companies should face multimillion-dollar fines for failing to enforce laws restricting social media access for children, the South Australian premier says.
Labor defector Payman’s political party launch days away
Sources familiar with Senator Payman’s thinking said Anthony Albanese’s threat of a double dissolution election meant she needed to move swiftly.