Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have committed to joint action to protect parliamentarians across the Commonwealth from online abuse, warning in a joint statement that "a toxic online environment is a threat to all Commonwealth democracies".
The statement, issued at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, said the two governments will work with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and countries across the Commonwealth to bring together technology, expertise and practical solutions. The first forum will be held in 2027.
'This erodes our democracies'
The leaders pointed out that there are more than 6,000 women parliamentarians across 180 state and federal parliaments in Commonwealth countries, and that in both Australia and the UK women parliamentarians are three times more likely than men to report receiving sexualised or gender-based threats, online and in person.
"And in the UK and Australia, elected representatives have been killed or injured for doing their jobs, out in their communities," the statement said.
"This erodes our democracies. Talented and principled people choose not to stand for election because of the hate they see their elected representatives and their families face."
Safer online spaces
The Prime Ministers said governments, technology companies and other stakeholders must all play their part in creating safer online spaces that support respectful public debate and enable safe participation in public life. They also condemned rising violence and aggression towards journalists and frontline workers, including health and retail workers.
Building on commitments made at the UN General Assembly and on bilateral agreements on ending gender-based violence and on online safety, the two governments welcomed new software tools being trialled in parliaments to protect members.
"While we work to change attitudes, restore respectful debate and return people's choice, in the short term we can commit to take steps together to protect our democracies," the leaders said.
