Plibersek indicates support for ban on choking in pornography
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has indicated support for banning the depiction of strangulation and suffocation in pornography, with some pointing to a similar ban in the UK.
Advocates' calls have intensified following the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl, linked to to a suspected sexual choking act, earlier this week.
The government is still consulting on its digital duty of care bill, which could force social media giants to proactively prevent foreseeable harm on their services.
Australia should be "very seriously" looking at banning depictions of strangulation or suffocation in pornography, says a senior Labor minister who has indicated her support.
Advocates' calls for the ban have intensified following the death of a 16-year-old Sydney girl , understood to be treated as a suspected sexual choking act.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek highlighted the prevalence of the act during sexual encounters among young people after a 2024 study found that 57 per cent of 18 to 35 year olds have experienced strangulation in the bedroom.
Last year, the UK made it a criminal offence to possess or publish pornography showing strangulation or suffocation.
Ms Plibersek said Australia should "very seriously" consider following the UK's decision to outlaw depictions of choking in pornography.
"There is something wrong with a situation where 60 per cent of young people say they've experienced strangulation," she told Insiders on Sunday morning.
Pointing to risks of long-term brain damage or aneurysms in the case of a non-fatal strangulation, Ms Plibersek said there was "no safe way to strangle someone".
NSW Liberal leader Kellie Sloane added to the calls on Sunday, writing to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to ask him to urgently introduce the ban.
"When pornography depicts an act capable of causing brain injury, unconsciousness or death, it should not be treated as just another form of adult entertainment," she wrote.
Ms Sloane said young people were being exposed to sexual violence online without understanding the danger of the behaviour.
"We cannot wait until another family is living through a tragedy before we take seriously what our children are being taught by pornography."
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