Albanese bracing for ‘major pressure’ from tech giants

Anthony Albanese says he is expecting ‘major pressure’ to be mounted against his government by tech giants later this year when the social media ban is enforced, including Elon Musk.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the campaign trail in New South Wales. Picture: Mark Stewart

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Anthony Albanese says he is expecting “major pressure” to be mounted against his government by tech giants later this year when the social media ban is enforced, including Elon Musk who the Prime Minister says has made a range of “colourful comments” against his government.

Speaking on popular British podcast, The Rest is Politics, the Mr Albanese also hosed down the negative impact Donald Trump had played for Peter Dutton’s campaign and said the Coalition had damaged its chances of winning government, arguing the effect of the US President on Australian politics was much less direct than in other countries.

“I think some of that can be overestimated,” Mr Albanese said.

“Canada obviously has a border with the United States and it’s pretty brutal and upfront that division that is going on there.”

However, in terms of the impact on broader global politics, Mr Albanese said “there is no doubt that any time the United States steps back, China will seek to step forward”.

The PM says Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has been appealing to a right-wing base, rather than the centre. Picture: Richard Dobson

Regardless of the international context, the Labor leader said the Coalition’s chances at flipping back teal seats at the election were low because of the party’s “right wing” policies.

“I can’t see the teal independents losing what used to be safe conservative seats,” he said.

“Peter Dutton has gone out of his way to appeal to a right-wing base, and there isn’t too much that is there for the centre.”

Speaking on his plans following the election, Mr Albanese said he was fully committed to his social media ban regardless of the backlash from tech companies.

“It kicks in next December and I’m sure that there will be pressure … by the social media companies in the lead-up to that December (date),” he said.

“We will have significant penalties if there are … conscious breaches by social media companies.

“Elon Musk has made some rather colourful comments about the government in Australia … that says more about him than it does about us.”

Mr Albanese quipped it was “easier to work through the global geopolitical position” than to decide on a wedding song with fiancee Jodie Haydon.

“We have gone through a range of music that can be played as a wedding song, and I’ve got to say … it will be easier to work through the global geopolitical position than it is to come up with a single song I think at this point in time,” he said.