The LNP Government is introducing new laws to Parliament to help Queenslanders deal with defamatory content posted online.
The Defamation and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 modernises Queensland’s defamation laws and aims to strike a better balance between protecting reputations and freedom of expression.
The Bill makes it clearer who is responsible when defamatory material is published online.
It also provides a potential defence for administrators of online forums and social media pages, such as media organisations or neighbourhood and parent groups, where defamatory comments are made on the site by a third party.
Member for Scenic Rim, Jon Krause, said it was 20 years since the Defamation Act was introduced.
“It is vital that Queensland’s laws keep pace with the changing ways Australians communicate, particularly the evolving influence of digital and social media,” he said.
“The Government’s reforms reflect changes agreed to by Australian states and territories following a national review into how defamation laws were working.”