A Call for Legislative Reform
Federal Labor MP Josh Burns has issued a sharp critique of social media giants, arguing that current moderation failures are endangering public officials and minority groups. Appearing before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney, the Victorian MP detailed a persistent campaign of antisemitic and misogynistic harassment targeting both himself and his partner, Victorian state MP Georgie Purcell.
Mr. Burns revealed that his electorate office in St Kilda was vandalized in June 2024, with windows smashed and imagery defaced. Following the attack, he reported an immediate surge in online abuse, with thousands of messages blaming him for the incident. He described the impact of this abuse as a threat to democratic participation, noting that he has largely lost faith in the reporting mechanisms provided by major platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The Intersection of Misogyny and Antisemitism
The testimony highlighted the specific nature of the harassment directed at Georgie Purcell. Mr. Burns noted that while he is the target of antisemitic tropes, Ms. Purcell faces a compounded layer of sexualized and misogynistic violence. He stated that the abuse often targets their relationship, with attackers using antisemitic slurs to disparage her personal character. This targeted harassment has extended into deeply private aspects of their lives, including comments directed at their family.
Institutional Failures and Policy Stakes
Data presented to the commission suggests that social media platforms are failing to act on reported hate speech. Evidence indicated that a significant majority of flagged posts—including those calling for violence—remained active on major platforms. Mr. Burns argued that the current Online Safety Act is insufficient because it lacks provisions to address generalized hate speech that does not specifically target an individual.
The MP advocated for a broader vilification offence, emphasizing that current legal frameworks are inadequate to protect Australians from systemic online hate. His call for reform is supported by former attorney-general Mark Dreyfus, who has also argued for an extension of hate speech laws to create offenses that do not require proof of physical violence or threats. As the commission continues its hearings, the focus remains on whether the government will move to increase the eSafety Commissioner’s powers to hold platforms accountable for the content they host.