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Australia

Online safety commissioner hints at departure, warns of power imbalance with big tech

Julie Inman Grant signals she may not seek another term, citing a need for fresh leadership amid a new regulatory era

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources2 outlets
Federal eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has suggested she may not seek a second term when her appointment ends in early 2027, arguing that artificial intelligence giants have demonstrated an unwillingness or inability to regulate themselves. Speaking in Brisbane on Wednesday, Inman Grant described a power imbalance between digital platforms and regulators, and said new leadership would be appropriate for the coming era of a digital duty of care.

Inman Grant made the remarks at a press conference announcing new grants aimed at combating abuse facilitated through digital technology. She noted that her focus remains on maximising progress during the remainder of her tenure and ensuring a smooth transition.

"I think 10 years is a long time," she told reporters. "With this new digital duty of care and this new era coming about, I think it will be great to have new leadership."

Inman Grant added: "My focus now is to achieve as much as I can with the runway I have, and to make sure I leave the eSafety Commission team and office in the best-possible hands for the next leader."

The commissioner's comments come amid broader international debate over how to regulate artificial intelligence and online platforms. The Australian government has been developing a digital duty of care framework that would require tech companies to take proactive steps to protect users from harm.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Inman Grant's departure would remove a prominent advocate for stronger online safety enforcement at a critical juncture as Australia introduces a new regulatory framework.
  • The commissioner's warning about a power imbalance highlights the ongoing tension between tech giants and government regulators, a dynamic that is likely to shape the next commission leadership.
  • The timing of the transition could affect the implementation and enforcement of the digital duty of care, a policy that is expected to impose new obligations on platforms.

Background

Julie Inman Grant has served as Australia's eSafety Commissioner since 2017, overseeing a statutory office with powers to remove harmful content and enforce online safety schemes. The government recently signalled a shift toward a digital duty of care model, which would require platforms to design safer systems rather than relying on takedown processes. The commissioner has frequently clashed with major technology companies over their handling of abuse, misinformation, and algorithmic harms.

Key Perspectives

Julie Inman Grant as outgoing commissioner: She views the handover as natural after a decade in the role and believes new leadership can bring fresh energy to the digital duty of care era. Big technology companies: They have generally opposed stronger regulation, arguing that self-regulation and voluntary measures are sufficient, a stance Inman Grant directly challenged. Government and civil society: The Australian government will need to appoint a successor who can navigate complex enforcement while balancing industry pushback. Advocacy groups may push for a candidate with a strong track record on tackling tech-facilitated abuse.

What to Watch

  • The government's timeline for announcing a successor and whether they will launch a formal recruitment process.
  • Whether the incoming commissioner takes a more or less aggressive enforcement stance than Inman Grant.
  • Industry and civil society reactions to the departure and any early signals from potential candidates.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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