In a world first, the Morrison Government will introduce new powers to unmask online trolls. Under new laws, social media companies will be held accountable for defamatory comments posted on their platforms.

Companies will be able to avoid liability if they are able to provide information that allows victims to commence proceedings, should they choose. Media companies will also be required to establish a quick and simple complaints process so that victims can have defamatory remarks taken down. Read more at www.pm.gov.au/media/combatting-online-trolls-and-strengthening-defamation-laws.

Also this week, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a new committee to examine the spread of toxic materials on social media. The Inquiry, to be chaired by Robertson MP Lucy Wicks, will give organisations and individuals an opportunity to air their concerns about how social media platforms currently operate, and for big tech to account for their platforms.

Taking Action to Stop Scammers
The Morrison Government is taking action to shut down scammers, by empowering telcos to identify and block SMS scams at the source. Scammers are increasingly using bulk text messages to infect devices or to trick victims into handing over personal and financial data. This year, SMS and phone scams reported to Scamwatch more than doubled from 2020, resulting in over $87 million being lost by Australians. The Morrison Government is committed to working with industry to tackle new and emerging threats to the community, including scammers who exploit digital technologies.

Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
This week, the Government received the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces, from Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins. The Prime Minister thanked over 1,750 individuals and organisations who contributed to the Review. This important review contains a series of findings and recommendations that the Government, Opposition, minor parties and crossbench must all carefully consider and respond to. These experiences, observations and insights will be crucial to driving the positive change that is required.

A Record Number of Senior Australians Receiving Home Care Packages
A record number of Australians are receiving a Home Care Package according to the latest data, which shows an increase of over 41,000 older Australians in the past 12 months. More than 204,000 older Australians are now supported with a package allowing them to stay at home and connected with their community for longer. The Morrison Government is investing $6.5 billion for an additional 80,000 home care packages to support senior Australians who choose to remain in their own home. This investment has seen the number of people waiting for a home care package at their approved level fall by 25 per cent over the last year.

Investing to Improve End of Life Care
The Morrison Government will invest more than $56 million to improve end of life and palliative care for Australians. More than $37 million will be provided to the 31 Primary Health Networks across the nation to expand the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care program Australia-wide. In addition, $19 million will go towards three programs at the University of Wollongong and Queensland University of Technology, to improve end of life care in residential aged care. It is estimated approximately 50 to 90 per cent of those who die in Australia each year would benefit from receiving greater palliative care. As people approach the final stage of their lives it is only right they have access to the level of care they need.

$50 million investment in support for HIV and blood-borne viruses
The Morrison Government is investing over $50 million in new funding to extend access to HIV treatment in Australia. This investment will allow an estimated 1,000 people currently living with HIV in Australia each year, who are not eligible for Medicare, to access the treatment they need. Funding will also be available to better support the health and mental well being of people living with blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections. In 2020, there were 633 new diagnoses of HIV in Australia and more than 29,000 people living with HIV. The Morrison Government will continue to work with the States to implement the Eight National HIV Strategy as we seek to end the transmission of HIV in Australia.