Live: Labor scraps controversial ministerial discretion in digital duty of care bill

The Australian federal government has withdrawn a controversial ministerial discretion provision from the proposed digital duty of care bill, according to sources. The updated legislation, set to be introduced today, places the responsibility on big tech companies to mitigate and protect under-18 users from harmful content. Communication Minister Anika Wells stated that the bill does not target health information.

The government has also strengthened protections for news content within the bill. The "My Feed, My Way" proposal, allowing Australians over 16 to control their social media feeds, is part of the broader digital safety measures. During a speech at the National Press Club, Wells will argue that the burden should be placed on tech companies rather than victims.

The legislation aims to prevent serious harms, including content that could harm children, while allowing adults to opt-out of the social media algorithm. Journalists and news media have been granted a carve-out in the new protections.