By Sean Maguire ( July 3, 2026, 06:58 GMT | Insight) -- Australia's Senate has delayed a bill to strengthen enforcement of the country's under-16 social media ban by referring it to an eight-week parliamentary inquiry, postponing planned new powers for the online-safety regulator and higher penalties for non-compliance. The legislation would double maximum fines to A$99 million and allow the eSafety Commissioner to compel information from social-media companies, app stores and age-assurance providers, but the opposition Coalition said the government's original law had been "fumbled" and warranted further scrutiny. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the delay, arguing it would hinder efforts to investigate major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok.The Australian Senate on Thursday delayed passage of legislation to strengthen the country's landmark under-16 social-media ban by referring it to a two-month parliamentary inquiry. ...
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