Submissions

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.

On 29 October 2024 Eros lodged its submission in response to the Parliament of NSW Standing Committee on Social Issues inquiry into the impacts of harmful pornography on mental, emotional, and physical health.

On 21 June 2024, Eros lodged its submission to the Federal Government’s statutory review of the Online Safety Act 2021. Our 11 page submission addresses the broad range of issues in the review which include questions about the powers of the eSafety Commissioner, industry codes and standards, regulatory obligations, penalties, dispute resolution and much more. The Act aims to provide safeguards against certain types of online content. It gives Australia’s eSafety Commissioner significant investigative and enforcement powers to take action against harmful online content and the providers of that content.

On 13 June 2024, Eros lodged its submission in response to the Federal Attorney-General’s Department consultation papers on modernising Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) regime. We expressed concerns about financial service providers and reporting entities using the regime to justify the de-banking of customers in the adult industry, and using risk assessments based on “customer type” to discriminate against adult industry businesses.

On 30 May 2024, Eros lodged its submission on Stage 2 Reforms to the Classification Scheme. Our submission included support for a single national regulator for classification matters, the need for independent evaluation of the reforms to ensure they align with international human rights standards, and called for a meeting of Attorneys-General to implement the Stevens’ Review recommendations on legal fetishes.

On 8 March 2024, Eros made a submission to the Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee of the Queensland Parliament, in response to the decriminalisation of sex work in Queensland. Eros’ five page submission included our views that commercial sex businesses (including brothels, adult stores and adult entertainment venues) should have the same planning requirements as other commercial businesses, and there should be a new protected attribute inserted in the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 of profession, trade or occupation.

On 14 February 2024, Eros made a submission regarding the Draft Online Safety (Basic Online Safety Expectations) Amendment Determination 2023. These proposed BOSE reforms cover issues including Artificial Intelligence AI capabilities, interaction with people and online content, consideration of the best interests of children, effectiveness of safety tools, and processes and responsiveness to user complaints. As per our January 2024 submission to Online Safety on the Draft Industry Standards, Eros expressed concerns about onerous compliance for some proposed measures. Further, we requested that commencement of standards affecting the adults-only industry await the implementation of the Stevens Review recommendation concerning X18+ classification and changes to classification regulations, including recommendations regarding legal fetishes.

On 4 January 2024, Eros made a submission to the Industry Codes team of the eSafety Commissioner in response to the Draft Online Safety (Designated Internet Services – Class 1A and1B Material) Industry Standard 2024. Classes 1A & 1B include material promoting child sexual abuse, terrorism, crime and violence and drug-related content. While the Draft Standard does not include Class 1C material, online pornography RC restricted content, Eros expressed concerns about onerous compliance measures proposed in this Draft Standard. We also requested that commencement of standards affecting the adults-only industry await the implementation of the Stevens Review recommendation concerning X18+ classification and changes to classification regulations.

On 24 February 2023, Eros made a submission to The Department of the House of Representatives Select Committee in response to the Inquiry Into Workforce Australia Employment Services.

On 13 February 2023, Eros made a submission to the BCCC in response to their consultation paper on Banking Code Compliance Priorities for 2023-24.

Strategic Plan for the Payments SystemOn 5 February 2023, Eros made a submission in response to The Treasury Consultation Paper on the Strategic Plan for the Payments System.

Eros’s submission to AUSTRAC dated 21 December 2022.

Eros, on 5 October 2022, made a submission to the Western Australian Government regarding the review of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) recommending that the Government introduce a new protected attribute of profession, trade or occupation.

On 30 September 2022, Eros made a submission to onlinesafety.org.au in response to the draft of codes of practice for the online industry that are being developed as part of the requirements of Australian Online Safety legislation.

Amendments to the Anti- Discrimination Act 1992Eros, on 12 August 2022, made a submission to the Northern Territory Government in response to the Exposure Draft Anti-Discrimination Bill 2022, calling for more meaningful protection to sex workers and all adult industry workers.

Eros made a submission to the age verification call for evidence and restricted access system outlining Eros’ continued calls for classification reform and concerns regarding age verification methods.

Eros made a submission on the Draft Online Safety (Basic Online Safety Expectations Determination 2021 outlining concern that the Draft Determination could cause social media, electronic and internet service providers to prohibit adult content.

Eros made a submission on Age Verification and Restricted Access System, following on from the eSafety Commissioner’s call for evidence in developing an implementation roadmap for a proportionate and feasible age verification regime for online pornography.

Eros made a submission on the proposed Online Safety Act, noting unintended consequences of the censorship of consensual adult content.

Eros made a submission to the Inquiry Into the Use of Cannabis in Victoria calling for the legalisation of cannabis consumption and sale.

Eros made a submission to the recent national review of Australian classification regulations calling for the full legalisation of adult media throughout the country.

Eros made a submission to the proposed Online Safety Act, noting the need to alter broadcasting laws to better protect against image based abuse.

Eros made a submission the recent Federal inquiry into age verification for online wagering and online pornography, noting its concerns regarding the UK Model of age verification.

21 December 2018Eros made a follow up submission on the proposed rescheduling of Alkyl Nitrite products to Schedule 9 – reiterating concerns raised by the LGBT community in relation to the rescheduling.

3 October 2018Eros made a submission on the proposed rescheduling of Alkyl Nitrite products to Schedule 9 – essentially criminalising possession and use of the products in Australia.

5 September 2018Eros made a submission in support of the Freedom of Speech Legislation Amendment (Censorship) Bill 2018 (Cth), intending to reform classification laws to allow adults-only media in Australia.

As part of our ongoing campaign to support the rights for ‘adults to be adults’ Eros provided a submission in support of the The Criminal Code and Other Legislation Amendment (Removing Commonwealth Restrictions on Cannabis) Bill 2018, which sought to legalise recreational cannabis.

Eros made a submission to the Commonwealth Inquiry into the Effect of Red Tape on Occupational Licensing, noting the impact of licensing schemes on brothel operators and sellers and exhibitors of X18+ media.

Eros made a comprehensive submission as part of Victoria’s broad Inquiry into Drug Law Reform in support of evidence-based drug policy which allows adults to consume products that have been found to be safe.

Eros supports the civil liberties of adult Australians to consume adult-oriented products which do not harm others. As such, we made a comprehensive set of submissions to the Inquiry Personal Choice and Community Impacts In 2015 in support of the formal legalisation of vaping products, recreational cannabis and adult media.