Coalition commits $6m in funding for child safety online

The Coalition is set to unveil funding for the Alannah and Madeline foundation on Wednesday, as part of its push to enhance protections for children online.

Peter Dutton’s latest spending commitment would see $6m in funding provided to the Alannah and Madeline foundation. Picture: NewsWire / Thomas Lisson

The Coalition is set to unveil funding for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation on Wednesday, as part of its push to enhance protections for children online.

Adding to the opposition’s spending commitments, the $6m injection over three years aims to support the foundation’s education and prevention efforts, a move it says “builds on the Coalition’s strong record of protecting children from online harm”.

The proposed funding would support existing eLearning tools which include a set of “age-appropriate teaching and learning resources” focused on “essential safety” and “digital and media literacy skills” for kids aged 4 to 16.

Peter Dutton touted the funding as an important part of the Coalition’s plan to “keep children safe”.

Peter Dutton’s latest spending commitment would see $6m in funding provided to the Alannah and Madeline foundation. Picture: NewsWire / Thomas Lisson

“I know that many parents are desperate for help to limit the impacts of harmful content that’s rewiring impressionable young minds in a bad way,” the Opposition Leader said.

“We need to ensure parents and children are equipped with the knowledge and skills that will help them safely navigate the online world.”

The three-year commitment to fund the national non-profit follows a significant campaign last year by the opposition leader in support of reforms that restricted children under 16 from accessing social media platforms.

The social media minimum age legislation passed both Houses of Parliament late last year, with bipartisan support.

Shadow Communications Minister Melissa McIntosh said the Coalition’s funding commitments ensured “kids are taught to be safe online and understand the danger signs as early as possible”.

Shadow Communications Minister Melissa McIntosh said the funding would ensure kids are taught to be safe online. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

“We know the most important prevention tool is education,” she said.

“Ensuring our kids have the digital literacy skills they need to engage and interact with their peers in a respectful way will help to reduce instances of cyber-bullying, online abuse and ensure they do not engage with harmful content.”

The foundation, which was established by Walter Mikac in the wake of the Port Arthur massacre where his wife and two daughters lost their lives, is set to commemorate its 29th anniversary in just under two weeks.