The Opposition criticised the Albanese government’s proposed anti-scam legislation, describing it as rushed and incomplete.
Speaking in Parliament, Liberal MP Luke Howarth highlighted the absence of sector-specific mandatory codes and a straightforward mechanism for consumer redress.
“The concept of a scams prevention framework is broadly supported by all stakeholders, including banks, telcos, and digital platforms,” he said.
However, he argued that the bill’s most critical protections remain undrafted.
“[It] is unlikely that the full framework will be operational before the next election,” he said.
Howarth also accused the government of rushing the consultation process, giving stakeholders only three weeks to review the draft legislation.
“The bill has been described as rushed, heavy handed, complex, unclear, and stacked against consumers,” he said.
On Nov. 7, the proposed anti-scam bill was introduced to bring in tougher rules for businesses, requiring them to actively monitor and prevent scams.
It grants regulators, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), greater oversight, with penalties of up to $50 million (US$33 million) for non-compliance.
Financial institutions would be mandated to enhance transaction checks, while digital platforms must verify advertisers more rigorously.
