Call for laws to stop harm to consumers, firms online
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued the warning in its final Digital Platform Services report on Monday, following five years of monitoring social networks, online marketplaces, app stores and search engines.
The 408-page report issued six recommendations but also raised future areas of concern including a lack of competition in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) services, and risky behaviour involving online video games.
The report comes six months after the federal government launched a public consultation into digital competition proposals, and after several tech firms complained to US officials about Australia's current digital media laws.
The commission's tenth and final report highlighted four existing and two new recommendations to address anti-competitive and harmful behaviour from online platforms, and chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said existing laws were not equipped to protect Australians.
"While these services have brought many benefits, they have also created harms that our current competition and consumer laws cannot adequately address," she said.
"This is why we continue to recommend that targeted regulation of digital platform services is needed to increase competition and innovation and protect consumers in digital markets."
Existing recommendations included a ban on unfair trading practices, enforceable codes of conduct for designated digital platforms including competition protections, and mandatory processes to help consumers, including removing scams and harmful apps, verifying advertisers, and introducing a digital ombudsman to handle disputes.
A consumer survey conducted for the report found more than eight in 10 Australians supported the introduction of an independent dispute resolution body to handle complaints.
Support was highest for the policing of general online marketplaces, like Amazon, Temu and eBay, followed by social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, and online messaging platforms.
The report also recommended the continued monitoring of online services and a permanent Digital Platform Regulators Forum comprised of existing media regulatory bodies to collaborate on streamlined legal reforms.
Future areas of concern for the commission included the regulation of digital video games, such as the risk of accidental in-game spending, consumer harm from paid loot-boxes, and clear purchasing contracts.
The report also noted concerns about a lack of competition in generative AI services and cloud computing, which could be dominated by firms including Amazon, Microsoft and Google.
"Harms to competition in the generative AI sector could hamper innovation, result in lower quality products and services, and force Australian businesses and consumers to pay more than they otherwise would to utilise this technology," Ms Cass-Gottlieb said.
"It is critical that the proposed digital competition regime enable the ACCC to continue monitoring changes to services it has previously examined, as well as new technologies that emerge over time."
The report completes the inquiry called by then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg in February 2020, and the Labor government has since committed to several changes based on its recommendations, including a ban on unfair trading practices.
The government's consultation into proposed digital competition changes, including laws to govern app marketplaces, online advertising and social media, closed in February.
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The Age
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Russia's invasion of Ukraine must not be rewarded, says Albanese after Trump-Putin summit
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The Advertiser
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Israel retaliates after Australia blocks politician
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Mr Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". He has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said Mr Rothman's visa cancellation on the day he was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to Ms Shaked and Mr Fuld. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Israel's foreign affairs minister says the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority have been revoked over the nation's recognition of a Palestinian state and for refusing entry to Israeli figures. Gideon Sa'ar announced the visa cancellations in a social media post and said he had also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel. "This follows Australia's decisions to recognise a "Palestinian state" and against the backdrop of Australia's unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures, including former Minister Ayelet Shaked and the Chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman," Mr Sa'ar posted on social media platform X on Monday. "While anti-Semitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it by false accusations, as if the visit of Israeli figures will disrupt public order and harm Australia's Muslim population. It is shameful and unacceptable!" Mr Sa'ar's post comes after it was revealed on Monday that Australia denied far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Australia has also denied entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, based on anti-Palestinian comments, and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. On August 11, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. Mr Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". He has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said Mr Rothman's visa cancellation on the day he was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to Ms Shaked and Mr Fuld. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Israel's foreign affairs minister says the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority have been revoked over the nation's recognition of a Palestinian state and for refusing entry to Israeli figures. Gideon Sa'ar announced the visa cancellations in a social media post and said he had also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel. "This follows Australia's decisions to recognise a "Palestinian state" and against the backdrop of Australia's unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures, including former Minister Ayelet Shaked and the Chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman," Mr Sa'ar posted on social media platform X on Monday. "While anti-Semitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it by false accusations, as if the visit of Israeli figures will disrupt public order and harm Australia's Muslim population. It is shameful and unacceptable!" Mr Sa'ar's post comes after it was revealed on Monday that Australia denied far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Australia has also denied entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, based on anti-Palestinian comments, and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. On August 11, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. Mr Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". He has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said Mr Rothman's visa cancellation on the day he was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to Ms Shaked and Mr Fuld. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Israel's foreign affairs minister says the visas of Australia's representatives to the Palestinian Authority have been revoked over the nation's recognition of a Palestinian state and for refusing entry to Israeli figures. Gideon Sa'ar announced the visa cancellations in a social media post and said he had also instructed the Israeli Embassy in Canberra to carefully examine any official Australian visa application for entry into Israel. "This follows Australia's decisions to recognise a "Palestinian state" and against the backdrop of Australia's unjustified refusal to grant visas to a number of Israeli figures, including former Minister Ayelet Shaked and the Chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, MK Simcha Rothman," Mr Sa'ar posted on social media platform X on Monday. "While anti-Semitism is raging in Australia, including manifestations of violence against Jews and Jewish institutions, the Australian government is choosing to fuel it by false accusations, as if the visit of Israeli figures will disrupt public order and harm Australia's Muslim population. It is shameful and unacceptable!" Mr Sa'ar's post comes after it was revealed on Monday that Australia denied far-right Israeli politician Simcha Rothman from entering the country for a speaking tour after provocative comments including branding children in Gaza as enemies. Australia has also denied entry to former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked, based on anti-Palestinian comments, and Israeli advocate Hillel Fuld. On August 11, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia's intention to recognise Palestinian statehood at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in September. Mr Rothman has denied children have been dying of hunger in Gaza, despite overwhelming international evidence, and branded them "our enemies". He has also pushed for Israel to annex the West Bank and denied a Palestinian state should exist. He defended the mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is illegal under international law, and refused to allow those fleeing the war into Israel, saying "you don't let them conquer your country". On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Australia "will be a country where everyone can be safe and feel safe". "Our government takes a hard line on people who seek to come to our country and spread division," he said in a statement. "If you are coming to Australia to spread a message of hate and division, we don't want you here." The right-wing Australian Jewish Association said Mr Rothman's visa cancellation on the day he was set to leave "was spiteful" after it had initially been granted. The purpose of Mr Rothman's visit was to show solidarity with Australia's Jewish community, which is facing a wave of anti-Semitism," CEO Robert Gregory said in a statement. "AJA had arranged for him to meet with victims, visit targeted Jewish institutions, and address numerous Jewish schools and synagogues." Mr Gregory also criticised Mr Burke for denying entry to Ms Shaked and Mr Fuld. Briefing materials provided for Mr Burke on Ms Shaked's visa provided numerous examples of her rhetoric, including her calling Palestinian children "little snakes" and pushing to turn a Palestinian settlement in Gaza into a soccer field. Mr Fuld had compared Gazans to Nazis, said not all Palestinian children were innocent and dismissed violence from Israeli settlers against Palestinians. Australia has further sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers, including travel bans. But Mr Burke has also denied entry to people who have a history of anti-Semitism, including rapper Kanye West after he released a song praising Hitler. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'It's crunch time': productivity puzzle must be solved
It's "crunch time" for the Australian economy. Young Australians face the prospect of being the first generation to be worse off than their parents and Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable is crucial to ensuring that doesn't happen. The generational bargain is in peril and policymakers need to act, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood says. Now in their 30s, millennials are struggling to enter the property market, "as policy choices have contributed to house prices growing much faster than incomes for the best part of three decades", Ms Wood told the National Press Club on Monday. That's largely because successive governments have failed to adopt a "growth mindset" and encourage productivity - reaping more from the effort put into work - she said. "Productivity growth is the only way to sustainably lift wages and opportunities over time." The commission has spelled out a long list of recommendations to kickstart anaemic productivity growth in five separate reports released before the roundtable, which begins in Canberra on Tuesday. Suggestions include reforming the corporate tax system and financial incentives for workplace training. If the roundtable fails to revive productivity growth, Australia's GDP could be six per cent lower than it might otherwise be, a loss of about $6000 per person, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said. "The stakes are high. It's crunch time." Mr Bloxham identified tax reform, competition and regulation as the three key areas the roundtable ought to address. Growth in the regulatory burden was symptomatic of a policy culture failing to prioritise growth, Ms Wood said. Governments have felt a need to "do something" every time an issue emerged, ending up in a system that dampened growth. An example was the Victorian government's plan to legislate at least two days a week of work from home. Ms Wood said the market had naturally found a "sweet spot", as businesses that offer more flexibility find it easier to attract and retain workers, and businesses that want stricter rules around office attendance tend to have to pay a premium. "So I guess if I was to apply a growth mindset to this, I would think what's the problem that we're trying to solve here? It's not clear to me that there needs to be a role for government in that," she said. "Regulatory hairballs" are everywhere, she argued, from 31-step approvals and licensing surveys for would-be Queensland cafe owners to "evermore stringent requirements for energy efficiency in the construction code". The Albanese government has lobbed its fair share of hairballs down Australia's regulatory gullet, contends opposition productivity spokesman Andrew Bragg. In its first term, Labor introduced 5034 new regulations and 400 fresh laws, raising the cost of compliance by $4.8 billion, according to Office of Impact Analysis figures cited by Senator Bragg. "Australia is now one of the most heavily regulated countries in the world," he said. The treasurer rubbished the claims, arguing the coalition introduced more regulations in its last term before its 2022 election loss. "If the coalition had answers on productivity, they wouldn't have presided over the worst decade for productivity growth in the last 60 years," he said. Dr Chalmers acknowledged the government had been getting in its own way with regulation that was slowing down new housing or energy projects. Some regulation, such as tying government procurement to gender equality aims, was serving a useful purpose, he said. "Where regulation is unnecessary, where it's duplicated, where it's not serving a useful purpose, we should seek to wind it back, and that's what we intend to do." It's "crunch time" for the Australian economy. Young Australians face the prospect of being the first generation to be worse off than their parents and Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable is crucial to ensuring that doesn't happen. The generational bargain is in peril and policymakers need to act, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood says. Now in their 30s, millennials are struggling to enter the property market, "as policy choices have contributed to house prices growing much faster than incomes for the best part of three decades", Ms Wood told the National Press Club on Monday. That's largely because successive governments have failed to adopt a "growth mindset" and encourage productivity - reaping more from the effort put into work - she said. "Productivity growth is the only way to sustainably lift wages and opportunities over time." The commission has spelled out a long list of recommendations to kickstart anaemic productivity growth in five separate reports released before the roundtable, which begins in Canberra on Tuesday. Suggestions include reforming the corporate tax system and financial incentives for workplace training. If the roundtable fails to revive productivity growth, Australia's GDP could be six per cent lower than it might otherwise be, a loss of about $6000 per person, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said. "The stakes are high. It's crunch time." Mr Bloxham identified tax reform, competition and regulation as the three key areas the roundtable ought to address. Growth in the regulatory burden was symptomatic of a policy culture failing to prioritise growth, Ms Wood said. Governments have felt a need to "do something" every time an issue emerged, ending up in a system that dampened growth. An example was the Victorian government's plan to legislate at least two days a week of work from home. Ms Wood said the market had naturally found a "sweet spot", as businesses that offer more flexibility find it easier to attract and retain workers, and businesses that want stricter rules around office attendance tend to have to pay a premium. "So I guess if I was to apply a growth mindset to this, I would think what's the problem that we're trying to solve here? It's not clear to me that there needs to be a role for government in that," she said. "Regulatory hairballs" are everywhere, she argued, from 31-step approvals and licensing surveys for would-be Queensland cafe owners to "evermore stringent requirements for energy efficiency in the construction code". The Albanese government has lobbed its fair share of hairballs down Australia's regulatory gullet, contends opposition productivity spokesman Andrew Bragg. In its first term, Labor introduced 5034 new regulations and 400 fresh laws, raising the cost of compliance by $4.8 billion, according to Office of Impact Analysis figures cited by Senator Bragg. "Australia is now one of the most heavily regulated countries in the world," he said. The treasurer rubbished the claims, arguing the coalition introduced more regulations in its last term before its 2022 election loss. "If the coalition had answers on productivity, they wouldn't have presided over the worst decade for productivity growth in the last 60 years," he said. Dr Chalmers acknowledged the government had been getting in its own way with regulation that was slowing down new housing or energy projects. Some regulation, such as tying government procurement to gender equality aims, was serving a useful purpose, he said. "Where regulation is unnecessary, where it's duplicated, where it's not serving a useful purpose, we should seek to wind it back, and that's what we intend to do." It's "crunch time" for the Australian economy. Young Australians face the prospect of being the first generation to be worse off than their parents and Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable is crucial to ensuring that doesn't happen. The generational bargain is in peril and policymakers need to act, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood says. Now in their 30s, millennials are struggling to enter the property market, "as policy choices have contributed to house prices growing much faster than incomes for the best part of three decades", Ms Wood told the National Press Club on Monday. That's largely because successive governments have failed to adopt a "growth mindset" and encourage productivity - reaping more from the effort put into work - she said. "Productivity growth is the only way to sustainably lift wages and opportunities over time." The commission has spelled out a long list of recommendations to kickstart anaemic productivity growth in five separate reports released before the roundtable, which begins in Canberra on Tuesday. Suggestions include reforming the corporate tax system and financial incentives for workplace training. If the roundtable fails to revive productivity growth, Australia's GDP could be six per cent lower than it might otherwise be, a loss of about $6000 per person, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said. "The stakes are high. It's crunch time." Mr Bloxham identified tax reform, competition and regulation as the three key areas the roundtable ought to address. Growth in the regulatory burden was symptomatic of a policy culture failing to prioritise growth, Ms Wood said. Governments have felt a need to "do something" every time an issue emerged, ending up in a system that dampened growth. An example was the Victorian government's plan to legislate at least two days a week of work from home. Ms Wood said the market had naturally found a "sweet spot", as businesses that offer more flexibility find it easier to attract and retain workers, and businesses that want stricter rules around office attendance tend to have to pay a premium. "So I guess if I was to apply a growth mindset to this, I would think what's the problem that we're trying to solve here? It's not clear to me that there needs to be a role for government in that," she said. "Regulatory hairballs" are everywhere, she argued, from 31-step approvals and licensing surveys for would-be Queensland cafe owners to "evermore stringent requirements for energy efficiency in the construction code". The Albanese government has lobbed its fair share of hairballs down Australia's regulatory gullet, contends opposition productivity spokesman Andrew Bragg. In its first term, Labor introduced 5034 new regulations and 400 fresh laws, raising the cost of compliance by $4.8 billion, according to Office of Impact Analysis figures cited by Senator Bragg. "Australia is now one of the most heavily regulated countries in the world," he said. The treasurer rubbished the claims, arguing the coalition introduced more regulations in its last term before its 2022 election loss. "If the coalition had answers on productivity, they wouldn't have presided over the worst decade for productivity growth in the last 60 years," he said. Dr Chalmers acknowledged the government had been getting in its own way with regulation that was slowing down new housing or energy projects. Some regulation, such as tying government procurement to gender equality aims, was serving a useful purpose, he said. "Where regulation is unnecessary, where it's duplicated, where it's not serving a useful purpose, we should seek to wind it back, and that's what we intend to do." It's "crunch time" for the Australian economy. Young Australians face the prospect of being the first generation to be worse off than their parents and Treasurer Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable is crucial to ensuring that doesn't happen. The generational bargain is in peril and policymakers need to act, Productivity Commission chair Danielle Wood says. Now in their 30s, millennials are struggling to enter the property market, "as policy choices have contributed to house prices growing much faster than incomes for the best part of three decades", Ms Wood told the National Press Club on Monday. That's largely because successive governments have failed to adopt a "growth mindset" and encourage productivity - reaping more from the effort put into work - she said. "Productivity growth is the only way to sustainably lift wages and opportunities over time." The commission has spelled out a long list of recommendations to kickstart anaemic productivity growth in five separate reports released before the roundtable, which begins in Canberra on Tuesday. Suggestions include reforming the corporate tax system and financial incentives for workplace training. If the roundtable fails to revive productivity growth, Australia's GDP could be six per cent lower than it might otherwise be, a loss of about $6000 per person, HSBC chief economist Paul Bloxham said. "The stakes are high. It's crunch time." Mr Bloxham identified tax reform, competition and regulation as the three key areas the roundtable ought to address. Growth in the regulatory burden was symptomatic of a policy culture failing to prioritise growth, Ms Wood said. Governments have felt a need to "do something" every time an issue emerged, ending up in a system that dampened growth. An example was the Victorian government's plan to legislate at least two days a week of work from home. Ms Wood said the market had naturally found a "sweet spot", as businesses that offer more flexibility find it easier to attract and retain workers, and businesses that want stricter rules around office attendance tend to have to pay a premium. "So I guess if I was to apply a growth mindset to this, I would think what's the problem that we're trying to solve here? It's not clear to me that there needs to be a role for government in that," she said. "Regulatory hairballs" are everywhere, she argued, from 31-step approvals and licensing surveys for would-be Queensland cafe owners to "evermore stringent requirements for energy efficiency in the construction code". The Albanese government has lobbed its fair share of hairballs down Australia's regulatory gullet, contends opposition productivity spokesman Andrew Bragg. In its first term, Labor introduced 5034 new regulations and 400 fresh laws, raising the cost of compliance by $4.8 billion, according to Office of Impact Analysis figures cited by Senator Bragg. "Australia is now one of the most heavily regulated countries in the world," he said. The treasurer rubbished the claims, arguing the coalition introduced more regulations in its last term before its 2022 election loss. "If the coalition had answers on productivity, they wouldn't have presided over the worst decade for productivity growth in the last 60 years," he said. Dr Chalmers acknowledged the government had been getting in its own way with regulation that was slowing down new housing or energy projects. Some regulation, such as tying government procurement to gender equality aims, was serving a useful purpose, he said. "Where regulation is unnecessary, where it's duplicated, where it's not serving a useful purpose, we should seek to wind it back, and that's what we intend to do."
