A proposed bill to improve online safety has been criticised for potentially making the problem worse. 

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher recently outlined the Federal Government’s proposed Online Safety Bill, which would issue fines to sites if they do not to remove ‘serious abusive material within 24 hours’.

The draft bill was given just a ten-day consultation period, during which hundreds of submissions were allegedly received, though the government has not released any. 

The Eros Association - a lobby for the sex industry - has made its submission public. It is concerned that the laws could potentially increase sexual violence against women.

“As drafted, the online content scheme would provide for the removal of many forms of adult content impacting the livelihood of producers, sex workers, adult retailers and adult entertainment venues,” Eros Association general manager Rachel Payne wrote.

There is concern that sex workers - who use the internet to find and vet clients safely - will be forced off social media and other online services, forcing them to work in less safe situations. 

More analysis is accessible here.

A senate committee has given thel online safety laws the green light, which should see the bill debated in federal parliament as early as this week.