Queensland residents draws to the attention of the House the continuing explosion of online torture of animals on social media platforms which has a detrimental effect on the mental health of children and other internet users.  Social media sites must not be used as platforms to promote the sadistic and harrowing actions of some deeply depraved internet users.  Current laws are weak with the failure to comply with a blocking or removal notice punishable by fines of up to 500 penalty units (which is currently $156,500 for an individual and $782,500 for a corporation).

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to increase protection for animals against online torture and protection for Internet users by upgrading current laws be in line with those offered by the UK under the Online Safety Bill. We ask the House to enforce tougher new laws for social media platforms to proactively remove illegal activity or face fines of up to 35 million dollars or 10% of global income for companies in line with UK laws and to fine individuals $300,000. We ask that even if the activity takes place outside of Australia but is seen by users in Australia that tech companies will be made to take it down as part of a zero-tolerance with increased fines. We ask for a special taskforce be deployed to monitor online torturers to fast track the implementation of this law in the face of increasing online animal torture.