Kiama MP Gareth Ward knows what it feels like to be bullied and harassed for the way he looks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That’s why the Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra takes cases of online bullying and harassment ‘’very seriously’’.
And that’s why Mr Ward will be calling for changes to social media laws when NSW parliament resumes in mid-February.
“I will be asking the law to be changed so that when people register for a social media account they also have to provide their mobile number,’’ he said.
“So, when they create and they use that [account] in a way to vilify, to intimidate or to use abusive language which would be in breach of the law that goes over and above the standards that we set for free speech, then action can be taken. I think this is a sensible way to address the bullying and harassment that occurs on social media. As someone who was a subject of bullying as a young person because of the way I look [Albinism], I take bullying and harassment very seriously. Not everyone is as resilient and as thick skinned as I am. Tragically we’ve seen social media used to vilify and intimidate people, so much so that even in my own community of Kiama, we’ve seen people take their lives.
“I want to ensure that we do what we can to give police the resources to track down those who would set up fake profiles and use them to troll people in a way that is excessive, inappropriate and illegal.’’
The Liberal politician and Labor counterparts Paul Scully and Sharon Bird, as well Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery made speeches at Omar Mosque on Friday.
Two men were charged with assault occassioning actual bodily harm in company and affray following an incident near the Gwynneville mosque left two men badly injured.
Mr Ward told those in attendance the state government was opposed to any changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act because it rejected racism and intimidation.
“I’m all in favour of free speech. But you have no rights to vilify and incite hatred and incite violence on social media,’’ he said.
“These people who set up fake profiles are gutless and cowards.’’