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with Julian Leeser MP
As a parent I worry about the safety of kids online . I worry about online predators , and I worry about the adverse mental health and other effects of kids spending too much time online .
That ’ s why I ’ m delighted that our government has made changes to the online safety environment which have recently come into force .
These changes give Australia ’ s eSafety Commissioner substantial new powers to protect all Australians – adults now as well as children – across most online platforms and forums where people can experience abuse or harm .
The new laws will make social media giants remove posts deemed bullying or abusive within 24 hours .
If the posts are not taken down , individuals could face fines of up to $ 111,000 or companies could be hit with a $ 555,000 fine .
As part of the new laws , people who are abused or harassed online should first report the offending post to the social media platform where it was posted .
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Should the company not take down the post , people will be able to report the incident to the eSafety commissioner .
The Online Safety Act also gives the Commissioner significant powers over the regulation of other content online – including adult content .
The Commissioner is currently working with industry on developing codes to enforce the new rules around adult content , with a view to developing a roadmap to require age verification for adult content online by the end of this year .
I encourage you to visit the eSafety website [ esafety . gov . au ] for more information about the Act and eSafety ’ s regulatory priorities .
GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURERS IN BEROWRA
Small and medium food and beverage manufacturers in Berowra can now apply for a grant of up to $ 25,000 each to save money on energy bills , improve
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energy efficiency and adopt new energy technologies under the latest $ 19.9 million round of the Energy Efficient Communities ( EEC ) program . The grants can be used to replace existing equipment with more energy efficient models , carry out energy audits , or improve energy monitoring and management – Federal Member for Berowra , Julian Leeser MP , said the funding will help manufacturing businesses lower their power bills and emissions .
The food and beverage manufacturing industry is the largest manufacturing sector in Australia , contributing around $ 22.4 billion to the economy . The Australian Government is supporting this vital sector of the economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ Lowering business energy emissions is an essential component of securing Australia ’ s carbon neutral future ” Mr Leeser said .
“ I look forward to seeing local businesses benefiting from the Morrison ’ s Government commitment to back business as part of our journey to becoming carbon neutral ”
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Assistant Minister to the Minister for Industry , Energy and Emissions Reduction Tim Wilson said the program targets food and beverage manufacturers , which include some of the most energy intensive small and medium businesses in Australia .
“ It ’ s because they ’ re the engine room of the economy employing 1 in 4 manufacturing workers , that the Morrison Government is backing food and beverage manufacturers to be competitive through grants to lower their power costs and slash emissions as part of the solution to Australia ’ s carbon neutral future ,” Assistant Minister Wilson said .
“ Reducing needless energy consumption also cuts emissions and is at the heart of the Morrison Government ’ s focus on technology , not taxes , because it boosts competitiveness , creates new jobs and reduces Australia ’ s environmental footprint .”
Applications close on 18 February 2022 or earlier if funding is exhausted prior . More information , grant guidelines and application forms are available at www . business . gov . au / EECFB , or telephone on 13 28 46 .
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