Australian Opposition leader Peter Dutton is under fire over a video declaring his support for the Labor government’s controversial plan to ban teenagers under the age of 16 from social media.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s ban is likely to be passed into law thanks to the support of the Coalition, but many Australians fear the legislation will lead to digital ID being made mandatory, and the government has admitted it will result in every social media user being forced to go through an age verification process.
On Sunday Mr Dutton posted a video captioned “Parents are rightfully concerned about social media’s impact on kids’ mental health and development. That’s why the Coalition backs age limits and privacy-protecting age verification”.
In the video he also stressed the Coalition’s opposition to the Labor’s misinformation bill, but was swarmed with comments from Liberal Party voters upset at his support for the social media ban.
Parents are rightfully concerned about social media’s impact on kids’ mental health and development. That’s why the Coalition backs age limits and privacy-protecting age verification. pic.twitter.com/saInSdbcak
— Peter Dutton (@PeterDutton_MP) November 17, 2024
“Sorry Peter, you’re not reading the room. You have got this wrong… and don’t speak for my family, who you are using as a front to bring in mandatory digital ID laws. We see through it,” said influential conservative social media user Timjbo.
“All that good work you have been doing will fizz out over this issue alone.”
“Election win was so close and then he does this for absolutely no apparent reason. Wowser,” said a different Liberal supporter.
“Did any of your voters actually ask for this?” asked another, while several posted screenshots of the Liberal Party website’s “our beliefs” section and asked Mr Dutton if he had read it.
The charter reads: “We believe in the inalienable rights and freedoms of all peoples; and we work towards a lean government that minimises interference in our daily lives; and maximises individual and private sector initiative.”
Former NSW Liberal State Executive Matt Camenzuli wrote: “Mr. Dutton, your stance on Misinformation is commendable and right. The conflation is with the Digital ID, age verification and the Under 16 ban. We don’t want a digital cage. Encourage parents to parent. Almost there…”
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts also responded, writing: “Trying to be everything to everyone means nothing to anyone.
“A true Liberal would not compromise freedom of speech. 18C – Libs did nothing after promising to overturn it. Misinformation And Disinformation – Libs introduced it. Digital ID – Libs introduced it. Banning 16 year olds from internet – Libs in favour. Libs with Labor to form UniParty.”
Header image credits: Peter Dutton, X. Liberal Party of Australia
