2GB Ben Fordham Live - 9 December 2025

Melissa McIntosh MP
Shadow Minister for Communications
Shadow Minister for Women
Federal Member for Lindsay

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

Transcript

2GB with Ben Fordham Live

Subject: Social media ban; Age verification and Digital ID; Australian’s data stored off-shore by social media platforms; Communications Minister Anika Wells travel expenses.

E&OE ....

Ben Fordham

It's less than 24 hours until Australia makes history. The world first social media ban comes into effect tomorrow, and those under 16 will be booted off various platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and YouTube. Up to 350,000 Instagram users and 150,000 Facebook accounts are set to be impacted. And there's a lot of debate surrounding the move. There is a new poll showing the majority of people want it to work. The strongest supporters are parents with children aged 9 to 12. 73% of them are in favour. 69% of people believe that tech companies will avoid accountability. 75% of people believe children will work around the rules. Melissa McIntosh is the Shadow Communications Minister. She joins us on the line. Good morning, Melissa.

Melissa McIntosh

Good morning, Ben.

Ben Fordham

Are you supporting this?

Melissa McIntosh

The intent of protecting kids online? Yes. And it was our policy as well that we took to the election under Peter. I do not support the way the government's rolling it out. I've been sort of prosecuting the case against their rollout for months now, warning that it could potentially fail. Platforms are being drip fed in. We hear that kids are migrating across to other platforms from the major ones. Platforms you've never heard of before are now really popular with kids. And the digital ID part of this really is quite alarming. So Meta, other platforms have told me that if they can't verify someone's age, they will compel them to use either their driver's license or their birth certificate. And this data is stored offshore.

Ben Fordham

Okay. The government is saying there will be no digital ID.

Melissa McIntosh

Yeah, of course they are. The government's not telling the truth. The minister's not telling the truth on this. There is a fairly high inaccuracy rate with the age verification. The platforms have said we do not want $50 million fines. So, if that age verification technology doesn't work on someone's face, they will ask for digital ID or you won't get on the platform. It's very clear, absolutely clear. Your data is offshore, your personal information's been stored in a data centre. We don't know for how long or what those third party companies will be doing with that data.

Ben Fordham

We're hoping that these social media companies are going to play along nicely. Are you hopeful?

Melissa McIntosh

I don't know, Ben. To be honest, I'm really quite fearful that the whole exercise will be a failure. The government's been so wrapped up in the PR exercise around this as opposed to the delivery. The platforms don't want those big fines, so I think they'll give it a crack. But as I said, despite what the government's saying and the minister's saying, they will be asking people for digital ID, and I don't know if that's regarded as playing along.

Ben Fordham

I'm keen to know your thoughts on your opposite number, Anika Wells and her spending habits.

Melissa McIntosh

I'm super cranky. I'm peeved off. It's making all of us who are trying to do the right thing look like terrible politicians. So right now, I'm probably feeling like most of your listeners are that this is a complete rort. And I was trying to be quite kind to her saying be family reunion, it's really important. But now, you know, $1,000 with a car running while you're at the tennis, that, that just sets me over the edge.

Ben Fordham

What do you make of that example? I know that there are a million of them when Annika Wells is concerned but leaving the comcar driver outside the Australian open tennis for seven hours while you're inside lapping up the luxury and meanwhile, every hour another $130 is being added to taxpayer's bill and $1,000 all up. I mean, come on.

Melissa McIntosh

Well, this is the thing, this, and it's called an entitlement. And this is what she's done. She's used it as an entitlement, but it's meant to be how I've used it, is sparingly. If you're away and you want your child with you or if you called to work and you know, you have your family with you because you are away for long, extended periods. But, taking a husband to big matches for leaving a car running, that is being entitled, that is taking, probably shouldn't say the word right now, you know, taking the mickey out of something that is a privilege for being a politician. You've got to remember this is not just Anika now, this is Don Farrell as well, the Senator. 200 odd trips for his family and this is all under the Prime Minister's watch. He's called, you know, Airpass Albo and he's setting the example for his team.

Ben Fordham

What does it say about Anthony Albanese, if he refuses to move on Anika Wells?

Melissa McIntosh

Well, this is about his leadership, isn't it? If his ministers are acting in this way with taxpayers money, this is Australian’s money and he's not pulling them up. His leadership is very questionable. Very questionable.

Ben Fordham

We appreciate your time this morning, and we'll see how the social media ban rolls out starting tomorrow. Thank you so much for joining us.

Melissa McIntosh

Thanks Ben.

[Ends]