Submission to Inquiry into Personal Choice and Community Impacts 2015 Regarding Tobacco

On 8 July 2026 Eros lodged its submission to the Review of the Unlawful Material Codes (Phase 1 Online Safety Codes). We raised concerns about: – Over-capture, censorship and shadow banning of lawful content. – The need for regulatory alignment and clarity with the Online Safety Act 2021, the Classification Act 1995 which are both currently subject to review, and the development of a Digital Duty of Care framework for online content. We encouraged Online Safety and the Australian Government to expand public education and stakeholder engagement to improve awareness and understanding of online safety legislation and regulations.

On 29 May 2026 Eros joined with a group of other organisations and academics in lodging a group submission to Modernising and Harmonising Classification Standards. The Group strongly support the overarching recommendation that the Review should lead to a classification system with an improved reliance on evidence over morality. This point informed the Group’s response to the twenty-two concepts proposed to classification standards. However, there were several concepts that were strongly opposed.

On 29 May 2026 Eros lodged its submission to Modernising and Harmonising Classification Standards. Eros supported the review’s stated objectives of creating a classification framework that is simpler, clearer, more consistent across media types, and reflective of contemporary Australian community expectations. However, we raised significant concerns regarding legal inconsistencies, lack of harmonisation with other regulatory frameworks especially Online Safety, and the limited consideration given to adult classification categories.

On 19 September 2025 Eros lodged its submission to the “Senate Inquiry into the Internet Search Engine Services (ISES) Online Safety Code” and related online safety matters. Eros outlined concerns that the ISES Code could result in censorship overreach by search engines operated by private multinational companies, compromise people’s privacy and restrict access to essential health, sexuality and harm reduction resources.

On 5 February 2025 Eros wrote to the BCCC regarding their priorities for 2025/26. We addressed inclusivity, accessibility and vulnerability and debanking issues, and the need to prioritise engagement with small business stakeholders. Also we reiterated our view that banks’ risk policies should “be based on the individual customer’s merits and not on their industry or occupation generally.”

On 22 November 2024 Eros lodged its submission to Online Safety regarding the Draft Phase 2 Industry Codes. The Codes regulate the posting of and access to certain online content. Eros addressed the Head Terms and the Designated Internet Services (DIS) Code with concerns including the use of untested age assurance technology, the need to update the National Classification Code and Guidelines and harmonise them with the Industry Codes, and the need for the use of consistent and clear terminology.