The announcement of Labor’s new $99 million fine against social media companies that are found in breach of the minimum age law is just another example Labor’s age-old strategy of ‘Divert, Deflect, Deny’.
Like the original legislation banning under 16s, this latest announcement delivers little more than meaningless sanctimony.
No side of the floor is suggesting that unfettered access to social media is a good thing for kids under the age of 16. It clearly isn’t and has been proven time and time again to negatively impact on the mental health of our teens.
But fines are not a viable solution to flawed legislation. Since the legislation was enacted, 85 per cent of under-16s who previously held an account are still accessing social media.
That’s an embarrassing statistic considering the Minister has travelled the word on the taxpayer’s dollar spruiking our ‘world leading’ policy.
And you have to ask - how many fines at the original $49.5 million level have been handed down? The answer; NONE.
How is doubling a fine that in practice isn’t being implemented going to help?
Labor must do the necessary leg work to fix the problem by consulting and collaborating with key industry bodies to ensure safe platforms for Australian children. Ac#patinparliamentn#SocialMediaBanv#flawedpolicyg#Laborfails
#imaginaryfinesn#divertdeflecteny #PolicyFailure##headlinesoverresultsfines #divertdeflecteny #policyfailure #headlinesoverresults
You can't consult with these companies, only standing your ground. reality is there might not be many othrr approaches a government can do to control the internet apart from a digital ID or/and a government firewall, which you would no doubt be against.
Here is a revolutionary idea. Instead of Government and large Social Media Companies running our lives and choices - what about just stating: “ The issues related to any child under 16 is a parenting responsibility. Childrens behaviours or morals are of no business of Governments.” There are different interpretations of wrong and right and moral behaviours. Not an issue - stay out of the parenting role. Laws should be in place for Social media companies that provide boundaries that are in line with Social standards ( whatever they are….).
Highway robbery
I think you're on the right track , and how about making Parents responsible for Juvenile Crime.😃👍🇦🇺
Let's see how Labor will police this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Again nothing but a rant about Labor but no alternative approach or policy. Whats your solution Pat? Its easy to complain and moan but if no solutions are provided, whats the point of your posts other than yelling into an echo chamber?
This fella unbelievable. Every week same moans . Question when does he bring into our electorate our taxes to starting projects building also creates employment . So far NOTHING . Let's next week normally moans . Costs nothing . Unbelievable.
Pat we've gotta get rid of this lot. Albos gotta go!!!😃👍🇦🇺
The goverment isn't the parents of our children, stop interfering in our lives. While you're at it give us back PH 🤣
PAT IN PARLIAMENT: BACKING OUR LOCAL TIMBER INDUSTRY
Today I took the opportunity at a press conference to call out the hypocrisy of the Great Koala National Park and its impact on our local timber industry.
This was part of a wider our announcement that The Nationals will lodge a Notice of Motion in the Senate and House of Representatives to stop Labor's new carbon credit approval, which will lock up land and destroy regional jobs.
We have moved to disallow the Carbon Credits Methodology Determination 2026, to stop Labor from paying state governments to permanently cease commercial timber harvesting across entire Regional Forest Agreement areas, in exchange for 'carbon credits'.
We all know that we will still need timber. We have houses to build and maintain. We'll now be forced to import it from overseas from countries that don't have our sustainable practices. How is that helping with global emissions?
For the full media release, see here: nswnationals.org.au/labors-net-zero-land-grab-destroying-regional-jobs/
#ideologyoverlogic #Laborfails #backinglocaltimber #timbernsw #patinparliament
Well said Pat. Why would anyone want to harm a completely renewable industry? Ideology doesn't PAY BILLS. 😃👍🇦🇺
attempting to lock the gate after the horse has bolted 🙄
It might protect alot of other species... like insects and birds, sugar gliders etc But there's nothing like the sound of chainsaws in one of the most biodiverse areas in Australia.
I wonder if Labor Ann the greens realise timber is renewable.
Great Koala Park is a fallacy. Thank you for supporting the timber industry. Timber is the most sustainable product and over the years practices have improved to get the best value. All homes have timber, and they are going to get more expensive as importing timber is costly. My heart breaks for those in the Nambucca, Bellingen and Macleay areas, who have lost their jobs and their businesses. This Labor government does not care about anyone except the wealthy policiticans, one of whom who calls out those who do not support ALP, ignorant and obviously did not attend private schools! (The Minister for Housing of all people!) Keep up the good work.
Spot on Pat repeal the whole bloody thing
You mention “science”- what is the evidence that “this industry is the most sustainable in the country” and that the GKNP “will not protect one koala”? Show us the independent peer-reviewed scientific evidence if you have it.
Funny never seen the greens complain about permanent logging for wind n solar farms …. Maybe they need call it green renewable timber or something than the city contprete jungle greens won’t say a word
Thank you Pat. The impact from this decision has caused so many people heartache.
Not to mention the beekeepers that are already closing down by the week so when we are gone who is going to pollinate their food? 🤔
Harvesting native timber in NSW runs at a loss and costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year. How ridiculous to sustain this industry and diminish what little remains of our forests. Send the timber workers out west to the pine plantations where there’s money to be made.
Well said the greens need to go
Couldn't agree more.. there are millions of native trees growing .. by locking up the bush no more koalas will benefit..... "field of dreams"... if I build it they will come ? And after a decade more.growth all forestry trails will disappear and the next bushfire will be less controllable and cook the poor koalas .. not to mention houses up the valleys .. sad situation loss of jobs and associated business... scarcity of building timber and blown out costs to import substitute material from threatened rainforests overseas ... sad day ..
This was to get Greens votes. They can see koalas at Billabong zoo and at the Koala hospital in Port Macquarie.
Votes that’s first. Second is making deals with the greens. Third is renewable energy. Clear hundreds of kilometres of forest in the name of the renewable energy. The same forest that they stopped logging in. The forest around Walcha is next for renewable energy power lines and turbines. The same forest that they are logging now. Greens are trying to stop logging in the same forest the are going to bulldoze for renewable energy. Not a word on that. Sue Higginson is happy to support renewable energy but not logging. Same forest?
Good on you Pat, keep up the good work. One of my sons was working in one of the saw mills. 😥
I totally agree, Sustainable logging has employed many people and they have been tossed aside by a government that appears to try and appease the minority.
Well done Pat
What about all the loss of recreational activities banned on national parks?
Well said,yep we need to look after workers and there familys,and towns
Thank you Pat well said
Normalise hempcrete and stop deforestation
This government doesn't care about you? Who's he talking about? I thought he was representing the majority? Clearly the majority want the logging to stop. Change is inevitable as are retraining for jobs. This is my fourth change of careers. I thought there plans to help the transition? Why isn't Pat helping the workers transition instead grandstanding after the horse has bolted?
If logging is so sustainable why do they need new areas and tax payer money. A dying industry. However I do not agree with the carbon credits.
A 20-year study led by researchers from the University of Melbourne and CSIRO found that Queensland’s tropical rainforests switched from being a carbon sink to a carbon source between 2010 and 2019. The analysis tracked roughly 11,000 trees across 20 sites from 1971 to 2019, revealing that while forests absorbed 620 kilograms of carbon per hectare annually from 1971 to 2000, they emitted 930 kilograms per hectare annually from 2010 to 2019. This unprecedented shift, attributed to climate-change-driven heat and drier air increasing tree mortality, significantly reduces the forests' capacity to absorb excess carbon, making global emissions targets harder to achieve.
The more opportunities our young people are given to train in the region in their chosen field, the more likely they are to stay and work in the regions. That's a statistical fact!
We are so lucky to have the range and variety of educational opportunities on the Mid North Coast, including fantastic higher education options.
So it was great to have the opportunity to catch up with Vice Chancellor Tyrone Carlin and Executive Director Chris Ashton today from Southern Cross University to discuss future plans and current challenges they are facing.
In our electorate, the Coffs Harbour campus of SCU has gone from strength to strength over the past 32 years since it first opened its doors providing our young people with not only a world class education, but a reason to stay. Not to mention attracting newcomers from around the country and beyond. The health of our educational institutions is so closely linked to the prosperity of our region.
I look forward to continuing to work alongside our university teams to provide the best Government outcomes in the interest of our community.
#SCU #scucoffsharbour #highereducation #RegionalEducation #patinparliament
So true Pat, education is our foundation. At all levels. Cheers Hunter
Still don’t do electrical trade out of Coffs. Have to go to Grafton or Port
Thank you for all the hard work you have put in to support and advocate with the other two levels of Government in our area, Michael Kemp and Mayor Steve Allen of BSC, for the alternate route from Dorrigo to Coffs Harbour become a reality. Please keep up the good work.
We need connecting roads too so that young families can get to Maternity Hospitals & Services (including Education) & get supplies in & out of their areas when Arterial roads are blocked e.g. Waterfall Way & especially the Dorrigo Mountain Road section. From the Hinterland and West of the Great Dividing Range on East Coast of Australia, we have been forgotten by all parties in Government in recent years. We need jobs & services for those now wanting to live in our communities. Please all work together in the 3 tiers of Government to support us.
That's great 👍 but what projects have u brought from Coffs or Port. For creating jobs .. I think .. NONE .
🗣PAT'S 2026 SURVEY IS NOW OPEN💬
To drive positive change for our region, I need to hear from YOU, the people that live, work, raise families and enjoy retirement on our beautiful Mid North and Coffs Coasts.
My annual survey is your chance to help make our region an even better place to call home. In a few short minutes, you can let me know your priorities, concerns and ideas, so that I bring them here to Canberra and fight for what our region and our community needs.
Have you say here: bit.ly/cowper2026
#HaveYourSay #chatwithpat #cowpersurvey #CommunityFeedback
Helping the logging families and giving them their jobs back for a start basic common sense would be great
Pat Conaghan MP, you are ALWAYS working hard for the Electorate of Cowper ✅
Poor Pat One Nation Coming For His Seat.
You lot had plenty of time and opportunity while you were in power- but nothing was done then.
Seriously I’m politically aware and wanted to have a voice - this survey is so long so screwed to get sought information irrelevant to so many inaccessible to refugee and migrant families I gave up after 20 minutes
🇦🇺PAT IN PARLIAMENT: ACKOWLEDGING COMMUNITY HISTORY🏫
Great to have the chance to share a bit of local history in Parliament this week.
Last week I had the pleasure of being invited to the Talarm Community Hall in the beautiful Nambucca Valley for a Flag presentation with the local volunteer committee members.
These presentations are always a great excuse to share in a bit of ceremony and tradition, and this visit was particularly special with Judi Liddell there to receive the flag. Judi wasn’t born ‘Liddell’, she’s originally a Nash, and anyone who lives in Talarm and the wider Nambucca Valley knows the Nash family and their contributions to the region and service to our country in times of conflict.
Judi’s grandparents originally donated the land for the Talarm Community Hall back in 1914, with the intention that it serve as the town’s meeting place; a safe space where the township could come together both to celebrate and to shelter in times of need. I know that the family legacy of contributions to their community will continue through Judi, her childre#patinparliamentr#localhistorys#CommunitySpirita#talarmo#nambuccavalleym#judiliddell#talarm #nambuccavalley #judiliddell
Great post - thank you Pat. Judi is indeed a wonderful community person. Judi also volunteers at the Uniting Church's Op Shop at Bowraville. Her work and the work of other volunteers makes it possible to donate to Shoretrack to help the young people of our community. Judi and her husband Brian are great community people.
Would prefer the word "reason" to "excuse". Nevertheless, (all) history is good to be recognised
A homogeneous society,was mentioned by Robert Menzies
Judi Liddell Sally Liddell-Heather
Poor Pat . One Nation Coming For His Seat.
PAT IN PARLIAMENT: PROTECTING OUR VETERANS IN THEIR RECOVERY
This week I took multiple opportunities to defend the needs of our returning veterans from this Government's punitive cap on Allied Health Services, including the introduction of a Private Members Bill on Monday requesting that the cap of $5000 per year be removed. Veterans should not be asked to bear the cost of Labor's budget repair.
It is a cost-cutting decision that impacts the men and women who have served our nation and carry the physical and psychological costs of that service.
For those with complex or chronic needs, or a number of conditions resulting from their service, a $5,000 cap will not come close to covering the care they require. The result will be Veterans going without treatment, their conditions worsening, and the burden of their care falling back on their families and household budgets.
#veteranshealth #Laborfails #alliedhealth #BudgetFail #VeteransDeserveBetter
Thanks Pat. As a 76yo Vietnam Veteran (77 in a couple of weeks, served with an Infantry Battalion, plus I was WIA just after I turned 20yo) I rely heavily on my DVA provided Exercise Physio program to maintain balance and strength to reduce the chances of falls etc. Under the new allied health cap I will have to reduce these services, forget about Physio, Podiatry etc as I will be over my $5K limit just exercising 48 times a year. Instead I will probably have a fall, call an ambulance, go to my regional hospital, then get an ambulance to a major hospital, surgery, specialists, rehab etc etc, and this will cost DVA big dollars. It seems like Labor and DVA will be happy to see us old Vets die off early so they can save a few bucks.
As a Nurse on night duty l have held the hand of many veterans who suffered nightmares from their Service experience. Not one would ever talk about it.We MUST take care of them.👏🙏
Thankyou so much for being a voice for our veterans my husband is a GC Vietnam vet with a lot going on with him.. This $5,000 will definitely not cover him per year.. Please keep the pressure on in parliament to have this decision reversed to help keep all veterans alive
Thank you. Our local member is Labor and repeating the Minister’s spin. Please find out how the $748 million reduction in allied health care has been calculated so we can prepare for impact.
How about we cap politician spending to $5K instead as a trial. See if they can have their trips and stay at budget accommodation, eat cheaply instead of dinning on overpriced meals. Not have travel fees of $300+ and take a public bus instead? Politicians say they serve the country but they never do sacrifice like a service person, police officer or nurses need to.
I am the widow of a RAAF WW2 veteran and expect this to flow on to War widows. I am 82 and attend Pilates, a balance physiotherapist as I have had a stroke, a regular physiotherapist weekly I also got to a podiatrist, it won't take long before the $15000 is used up. Many years ago I worked in a private x-ray practice as a radiographer they had 3 levels of charges, one for the public, another for DVA and the third for workers compensation, related to how long before they were repaid. I have no idea if trhat is still hapening but think the government should look at alied health practices overcharging before penalising veterans.
why not use the 318million trying to hang BRS for veteran health
Pat’s been in a good paddock since his days in the cops! 🍔🍔
Thank you Pat for all that you do for our region.
Thanks Pat. I am a medically discharge 20y service. I am 65yo and 25yr since medical discharge and rely on my physio, chiro and ex physiology to keep me moving. Labour doesn't care about veterans health and ongoing needs to maintain something resembling close to a normal life due to service, deployments and injuries during training.
The definition of a veteran is open to interpretation, and I fully support those who have been maimed, injured, or suffer PTSD as a ‘direct’ result of serving in conflict. What I have an issue with is that there are many ex serving members who are receiving “life” benefits all because someone can write ‘bullshit’ in their claims to Veteran Affairs, and I know of veterans who actually deserve life long support who are too embarrassed to do so because of the many soldiers who put in false applications. All the Royal Commissions at a massive cost to the taxpayers are a waste of time. Also, I wonder if this MP is willing to take on a battle for all emergency service workers who face trauma every day of their careers here in Australia. These dedicated workers Police, Paramedics and so on also deserve life long support for their service because they get absolutely no support whatsoever!
Well said and thank you for giving our veterans a voice.
Thank you Pat. Our veterans deserve all the care they need.
Thankyou for standing out for our Veterans who are struggling for doing a massive Job that MANY, including the numbnuts in Parliment who Wouldn't have a clue of what our Heroic servicemen & women battled during their service for Our country & being blessed to return with immense Gratitude from our Nation. We know they fought Long & Hard on the battlefields BUT some would say that was the easy part. The battles they face once coming home is bigger than they would have imagined. The Australian Government , No matter who is leading NEED a reminder that without our brave/scared service personel, Our country would have been a lot different without their dedicated sacrafices. Our Australian veterans deserve looking after for what they have been through in keeping Us safe. Veterans should NOT be shovelled onto a scrap heap after their service EVER. Some Literally gave their lives for our freedom. Government NEEDS to HONOR IT, not for a while but forever & as long as our Veterans NEED the Support.
Go Pat this cap should never happen
Thanks you pat
Well said ,Thankyou for trying to help our Veterans.
Thanks Pat for speaking up for our veterans
Fight for us Pat.
So what do veterans cut from their well being their physical health or their mental? I can see many who have just started to cope with their trauma go down hill and we will start to loose more of our brave service men and women. The government spends millions on a unfounded court case against a VC recipient and brining and financing terrorists back to the country. For someone who's husband served and have had to pick up the pieces of his broken mind and body its disgusting that the government who our service men and women went on their orders are basically putting them back further into the too hard basket.
Thank you Pat. From an 81 year old Veteran, I thank you. You are a Champion.
Thank you Pat.
Thank you Pat for at least trying to keep helping our very needy Veterans.
Thank you backing any one who serviced Every one is different and everyone needs different services
I would like to comment on the issue regarding Mr Conaghan MP's statement. There were other ex serviceman who are also Veterans from other countries. PNGeans had 7 members served in the RAN in brief on-board HMAS SYDNEY. For their services it seems as they're forgotten.
