It’s on for young and old as the federal parliamentary year comes to an end, with controversy at both ends of the age spectrum.

From Wednesday 10 December children under 16 are banned from having accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitch, Kick, X, YouTube and Reddit.  Other platforms could yet be added, and I have expressed concern on national radio about Roblox and new emerging platforms like Lemon8, Yope and Coverstar. While some will always work around the guardrails, I have long supported online age verification technology.  I was on the February 2020 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry Protecting the age of innocence – report of the inquiry into age verification for online wagering and online pornography.  It is incredibly hard to keep up with the technological development and disruption of social structures and business models, and the frightening ways people use technology tools to distribute vile material, target children and promote unhealthy behaviours.

The Coalition led the way in May 2024 declaring we would implement the under 16 social media ban, which Labor followed months later.  Sadly, we are not in government implementing this ban, so the Coalition Opposition are holding Labor to account on their rushed implementation, keeping vigilant about your privacy online.

At the older end of the age spectrum, the Prime Minister likes to wave his Medicare card around and say ‘nobody held back, nobody left behind’, however regional Victorians are held back and left behind under Federal and State Labor governments. Labor’s broken promise on home care in the aged care system is the latest example.  The Coalition brokered a deal on aged care legislation with Labor committing to a ‘no worse off’ test – however, older Mallee residents tell me they are worse off since the 1 November changes.  Services are costing more, resulting in packages paying for less, and some are being asked for co-payments.

I encourage those affected to google “Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs References Committee” and make submissions to the ‘Support at Home Program’ inquiry, and please send a copy to anne.webster.mp@aph.gov.au.