The Coalition has announced that it would seek to make it a crime for people to post photos and videos glorifying their criminal offences, as well as strengthen the powers of the eSafety Commissioner.
In 2023, Federal Member for Groom Garth Hamilton introduced a private members bill to tackle the use of social media in exacerbating youth crime.
Mr Hamilton said offenders are using social media platforms to glamourise their crimes, across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
“We have a situation where criminals are glorifying their behaviour, young offenders become influencers in their circle of friends, and it exacerbates the offending cycle.
“The flood of social media clips glamorising criminal activity is about gaining notoriety and these performance crimes have become a way to recruit the next generation.
“Only a Coalition Government will put stronger, clearer laws in place to tackle out of control youth crime and improve community safety,” Mr Hamilton said.
The legislation put forward by Mr Hamilton was developed with the local Voices of Victims group and proposed a clear definition of what criminal activity is and a national approach to stop criminals from boasting about their crimes online.
On Wednesday, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton announced that the Coalition is developing a private members bill that would seek to make it a crime for people to post photos and videos glorifying their offences, as well as strengthen the powers of the eSafety Commissioner.
Mr Dutton said he would urge Anthony Albanese to adopt it because it presented a “huge opportunity” to deter shocking crimes for clicks.
“If you take that trophy away from the criminal, then they’re less likely to commit the crime,” Mr Dutton said.
“They’re stealing high-end merchandise, handbags and motor vehicles.
“They’re taking photos of elderly women and people who are scared in their homes,” Mr Dutton said.
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