{"id":"C2015A00025","name":"Enhancing Online Safety for Children (Consequential Amendments) Act 2015","slug":"enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"25 of 2015","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":8531,"registerId":"commonwealth-C2015A00025-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-03-30","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Enhancing Online Safety for Children (Consequential Amendments) Act 2015","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nEnhancing Online Safety for Children (Consequential Amendments) Act 2015\n\n \n\nNo. 25, 2015\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nAn Act to deal with consequential matters arising from the enactment of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015, and for other purposes\n\n \n\n \n\nContents\n\n1 Short title\n\n2 Commencement\n\n3 Schedules\n\n4 Translation of certain references\n\nSchedule 1—Amendment of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992\n\nPart 1—General amendments\n\nBroadcasting Services Act 1992\n\nPart 2—Amendments to change certain references to the ACMA into references to the Commissioner\n\nBroadcasting Services Act 1992\n\nSchedule 2—Amendments of other Acts\n\nPart 1—General amendments\n\nAustralian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005\n\nCriminal Code Act 1995\n\nFreedom of Information Act 1982\n\nTelecommunications Act 1997\n\nPart 2—Amendments contingent on the commencement of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015\n\nTelecommunications Act 1997\n\nSchedule 3—Transitional provisions\n\n \n\n \n\n![](image.001.png)\n\n \n\n \n\nEnhancing Online Safety for Children (Consequential Amendments) Act 2015\n\nNo. 25, 2015\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nAn Act to deal with consequential matters arising from the enactment of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015, and for other purposes\n\n[Assented to 24 March 2015]\n\nThe Parliament of Australia enacts:\n\n1  Short title\n\n  This Act may be cited as the Enhancing Online Safety for Children (Consequential Amendments) Act 2015.\n\n2  Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n \n\n- Commencement information\n- Column 1 Column 2 Column 3\n- Provisions Commencement Date/Details\n- 1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table The day this Act receives the Royal Assent. 24 March 2015\n- 2. Schedule 1, Part 1 At the same time as section 3 of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 commences. 1 July 2015\n- 3. Schedule 1, Part 2 Immediately after the commencement of Part 1 of Schedule 1. 1 July 2015\n- 4. Schedule 2, Part 1 At the same time as section 3 of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 commences. 1 July 2015\n- 5. Schedule 2, Part 2 Immediately after the commencement of Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015.However, the provisions do not commence at all if Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015 commences before the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 4. 1 July 2015\n- 6. Schedule 3 At the same time as section 3 of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 commences. 1 July 2015\n\n\nNote: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.\n\n3  Schedules\n\n  Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.\n\n4  Translation of certain references\n\n  If a Bill introduced into Parliament as the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Bill 2014 is enacted (with or without amendments) as the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015, each reference in this Act (other than this section) to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2014 is to be read as a reference to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015.\n\nSchedule 1—Amendment of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992\n\nPart 1—General amendments\n\nBroadcasting Services Act 1992\n\n1  Subsection 6(1)\n\nInsert:\n\nCommissioner means the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner.\n\n2  Part 13 (heading)\n\nRepeal the heading, substitute:\n\nPart 13—Information gathering by the ACMA and the Commissioner\n\n3  At the end of Division 1 of Part 13\n\nAdd:\n\n169A  Investigation by the Commissioner\n\n  A reference in this Part to an investigation by the Commissioner is a reference to an investigation by the Commissioner under:\n\n (a) section 19 of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015; or\n\n (b) clause 27 of Schedule 5 to this Act; or\n\n (c) clause 44 of Schedule 7 to this Act.\n\n4  Section 173\n\nBefore “For”, insert “(1)”.\n\n5  Section 173\n\nAfter “an investigation”, insert “by the ACMA”.\n\n6  At the end of section 173\n\nAdd:\n\n (2) For the purposes of an investigation by the Commissioner, the Commissioner may give a written notice to a person summoning the person:\n\n (a) to attend before:\n\n (i) the Commissioner; or\n\n (ii) a delegate of the Commissioner named in the notice;\n\n  to produce documents or to answer questions; or\n\n (b) to provide documents or other information to the Commissioner;\n\nrelevant to the subject matter of the investigation.\n\n7  Before subsection 174(1)\n\nInsert:\n\nInvestigation by the ACMA\n\n8  At the end of section 174\n\nAdd:\n\nInvestigation by the Commissioner\n\n (4) If a person is summoned to attend before the Commissioner or a delegate of the Commissioner, the Commissioner or delegate may examine the person on oath or affirmation and, for that purpose:\n\n (a) may require the person to take an oath or make an affirmation; and\n\n (b) may administer an oath or affirmation to the person.\n\n (5) The oath or affirmation is to be an oath or affirmation that the statements the person will make will be true to the best of the person’s knowledge or belief.\n\n (6) The Commissioner or delegate may require the person to answer a question that is put to the person at an examination and that is relevant to a matter that the Commissioner is investigating or is to investigate.\n\n9  Before subsection 176(1)\n\nInsert:\n\nInvestigation by the ACMA\n\n10  At the end of section 176\n\nAdd:\n\nInvestigation by the Commissioner\n\n (3) If a person is examined by the Commissioner or a delegate of the Commissioner, a record must be made of the examination and the person is entitled to be given a written copy of the record.\n\n (4) If the record of the examination of a person is made in electronic form, the person is, if the person so requests, to be given a copy of the record in that form.\n\n11  Section 177\n\nBefore “The ACMA”, insert “(1)”.\n\n12  Paragraph 177(a)\n\nAfter “investigation”, insert “by the ACMA”.\n\n13  At the end of section 177\n\nAdd:\n\n (2) The Commissioner may, by written notice given to a person, require the person:\n\n (a) to make available for inspection by:\n\n (i) the Commissioner; or\n\n (ii) a delegate of the Commissioner;\n\n  any documents in the possession of the person that may contain information relevant to the subject matter of an investigation by the Commissioner; and\n\n (b) to permit the Commissioner or the delegate, as the case may be, to make copies of any such documents.\n\n14  Subsection 200(3)\n\nAfter “investigation”, insert “by the ACMA”.\n\n15  At the end of section 200\n\nAdd:\n\n (4) A person who gives evidence or produces documents at an investigation by the Commissioner has the same protection as a witness in a proceeding in the High Court.\n\n16  Clause 27 of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n17  Subclause 28(2) of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “it”, substitute “he or she”.\n\n18  Subclause 68(5) of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n19  Subclause 69(4) of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n20  Subclause 70(8) of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n21  Subclause 71(8) of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n22  Clause 74 of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “if it”, substitute “if the Commissioner”.\n\n23  Paragraph 94(f) of Schedule 5\n\nOmit “itself”, substitute “himself or herself”.\n\n24  Clause 44 of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n25  Subclause 45(2) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “it”, substitute “he or she”.\n\n26  Subclause 91(4) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n27  Subclause 92(3) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n28  Subclause 93(7) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n29  Subclause 94(7) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “its”, substitute “his or her”.\n\n30  Clause 97 of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “if it”, substitute “if the Commissioner”.\n\n31  Paragraph 112(1)(b) of Schedule 7\n\nRepeal the paragraph.\n\n32  Paragraph 112(1)(d) of Schedule 7\n\nRepeal the paragraph, substitute:\n\n (d) a consultant engaged under section 69 of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015;\n\n33  Paragraph 112(1)(e) of Schedule 7\n\nAfter “officer”, insert “or employee”.\n\n34  Paragraph 114(f) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “itself”, substitute “himself or herself”.\n\n35  Subclause 115(3) of Schedule 7\n\nOmit “if it”, substitute “if the Commissioner”.\n\nPart 2—Amendments to change certain references to the ACMA into references to the Commissioner\n\n36  Amendments—changing certain references to the ACMA into references to the Commissioner\n\nThe specified provisions of the Act specified in this Part are amended as follows:\n\n (a) by omitting “ACMA” (wherever occurring) and substituting “Commissioner”;\n\n (b) by omitting “ACMA” (wherever occurring) and substituting “Commissioner”;\n\n (c) by omitting “ACMA’s” (wherever occurring) and substituting “Commissioner’s”.\n\nBroadcasting Services Act 1992\n\n37  Schedule 5\n\n38  Schedule 7 (other than paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of licensed broadcasting service in clause 2, subparagraph 9A(1)(a)(ii) and paragraphs 112(1)(c) and (e))\n\n \n\nSchedule 2—Amendments of other Acts\n\nPart 1—General amendments\n\nAustralian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005\n\n1  Section 3 (subparagraph (b)(iia) of the definition of authorised disclosure information)\n\nRepeal the subparagraph.\n\n2  Section 3 (paragraph (c) of the definition of investigation)\n\nOmit “Part 4 of Schedule 5, Part 5 of Schedule 6, or Part 3 of Schedule 7,”, substitute “Part 5 of Schedule 6”.\n\n3  Paragraph 4(3)(b)\n\nRepeal the paragraph, substitute:\n\n (b) clause 38 of Schedule 6.\n\n4  Paragraph 10(1)(a)\n\nOmit “, internet content, designated content/hosting services”.\n\n5  Subparagraph 10(1)(o)(ii)\n\nAfter “Broadcasting Services Act 1992”, insert “(other than Schedule 5 or 7)”.\n\n6  Paragraphs 53(2)(n), (o), (p) and (pa)\n\nRepeal the paragraphs.\n\n7  After paragraph 57(a)\n\nInsert:\n\n (aa) a report on the following matters:\n\n (i) remuneration, and other employment‑related costs and expenses, in respect of APS employees whose duties relate to the performance of the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner’s functions or the exercise of the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner’s powers;\n\n (ii) any other costs, expenses and other obligations incurred by the Commonwealth in connection with the performance of the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner’s functions or the exercise of the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner’s powers; and\n\n8  After paragraph 59D(1)(l)\n\nInsert:\n\n (la) the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner;\n\nCriminal Code Act 1995\n\n9  Paragraph 273.9(5)(a) of the Criminal Code\n\nOmit “Australian Communications and Media Authority”, substitute “Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner”.\n\n10  Paragraph 273.9(5)(a) of the Criminal Code\n\nOmit “Authority’s”, substitute “Commissioner’s”.\n\n11  Paragraph 474.21(4)(a) of the Criminal Code\n\nOmit “Australian Communications and Media Authority”, substitute “Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner”.\n\n12  Paragraph 474.21(4)(a) of the Criminal Code\n\nOmit “Authority’s”, substitute “Commissioner’s”.\n\n13  Paragraph 474.24(4)(a) of the Criminal Code\n\nOmit “Australian Communications and Media Authority”, substitute “Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner”.\n\n14  Paragraph 474.24(4)(a) of the Criminal Code\n\nOmit “Authority’s”, substitute “Commissioner’s”.\n\nFreedom of Information Act 1982\n\n15  Division 1 of Part II of Schedule 2 (before the item relating to the Classification Board)\n\nInsert:\n\nChildren’s e‑Safety Commissioner, in relation to:\n\n (a) exempt content‑service documents concerning the performance of a function, or the exercise of a power, under Schedule 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; and\n\n (b) exempt internet‑content documents concerning the performance of a function, or the exercise of a power, under Schedule 5 to that Act.\n\nTelecommunications Act 1997\n\n16  Section 284 (heading)\n\nRepeal the heading, substitute:\n\n284  Assisting the ACMA, the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman\n\n17  After subsection 284(1)\n\nInsert:\n\n (1A) Sections 276 and 277 do not prohibit a disclosure by a person of information or a document if:\n\n (a) the disclosure is made to:\n\n (i) the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner; or\n\n (ii) a member of the staff of the ACMA whose duties relate to the performance of the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner’s functions; and\n\n (b) the information or document may assist the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner to carry out his or her functions or powers.\n\n18  Section 299 (heading)\n\nRepeal the heading, substitute:\n\n299  Assisting the ACMA, the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman\n\n19  After subsection 299(1)\n\nInsert:\n\n (1A) If information or a document is disclosed to a person as permitted by subsection 284(1A) or this subsection, the person must not disclose or use the information or document except for the purpose of, or in connection with, the carrying out of the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner’s functions and powers.\n\n20  Section 299 (note)\n\nRepeal the note, substitute:\n\nNote: Section 284 deals with the disclosure or use of information or documents to assist the ACMA, the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.\n\n21  Part 34 (heading)\n\nRepeal the heading, substitute:\n\nPart 34—Special provisions relating to conventions and directions\n\n22  At the end of section 579\n\nAdd:\n\n• The Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner may give directions to a carrier or a service provider in connection with the Commissioner’s performance of his or her functions or the exercise of his or her powers.\n\n23  After subsection 581(2)\n\nInsert:\n\n (2A) The Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner may give written directions to:\n\n (a) a carrier; or\n\n (b) a service provider;\n\nin connection with performing any of the Commissioner’s functions or exercising any of the Commissioner’s powers.\n\n (2B) This section is not limited by any other provision of a law that:\n\n (a) confers a function or power on the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner; or\n\n (b) prescribes the mode in which the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner is to perform a function or exercise a power; or\n\n (c) prescribes conditions or restrictions which must be observed in relation to the performance by the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner of a function or the exercise by the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner of a power.\n\n24  After subsection 581(4)\n\nInsert:\n\n (4A) A person must comply with a direction given to the person under subsection (2A).\n\nPart 2—Amendments contingent on the commencement of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015\n\nTelecommunications Act 1997\n\n25  Section 284 (heading)\n\nRepeal the heading, substitute:\n\n284  Assisting the ACMA, the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman\n\n26  Section 299 (heading)\n\nRepeal the heading, substitute:\n\n299  Assisting the ACMA, the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman\n\n27  Section 299 (note)\n\nRepeal the note, substitute:\n\nNote: Section 284 deals with the disclosure or use of information or documents to assist the ACMA, the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner, the ACCC or the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman.\n\nSchedule 3—Transitional provisions\n\n \n\n1  Definitions\n\nIn this Schedule:\n\nACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.\n\nCommissioner means the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner.\n\ntransition time means the commencement of this Schedule.\n\n2  Transitional—acts of the ACMA to be attributed to the Commissioner\n\n(1) This item applies to anything done by, or in relation to, the ACMA before the transition time under, or for the purposes of, Schedule 5 or 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n\n(2) After the transition time, the thing has effect as if it had been done by, or in relation to, the Commissioner.\n\n3  Substitution of Commissioner as a party to certain pending proceedings\n\n(1) This item applies if:\n\n (a) any proceedings to which the ACMA was a party were pending in any court or tribunal immediately before the transition time; and\n\n (b) the proceedings are under, or in connection with, Schedule 5 or 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n\n(2) The Commissioner is substituted for the ACMA, from the transition time, as a party to the proceedings.\n\n4  Transitional—transfer of records to the Commissioner\n\n(1) This item applies to any records or documents that:\n\n (a) were in possession of the ACMA immediately before the transition time; and\n\n (b) wholly or partly concern Schedule 5 or 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n\n(2) If the records or documents wholly concern Schedule 5 or 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the records or documents are to be transferred to the Commissioner after the transition time.\n\nNote: The records and documents are Commonwealth records for the purposes of the Archives Act 1983.\n\n(3) If the records or documents partly concern Schedule 5 or 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, the records or documents are to be made available to the Commissioner at the request of the Commissioner.\n\nNote: The records and documents are Commonwealth records for the purposes of the Archives Act 1983.\n\n5  Transitional—authorised disclosure information\n\nDespite the amendment of the definition of authorised disclosure information in section 3 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 made by this Act, that definition continues to apply, in relation to information obtained before the transition time, as if that amendment had not been made.\n\n6  Transitional—protection from civil proceedings\n\nDespite the amendments of:\n\n (a) clause 29 of Schedule 5 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; and\n\n (b) clause 46 of Schedule 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992;\n\nmade by this Act, those clauses continue to apply, in relation to anything done before the transition time, as if those amendments had not been made.\n\n7  Transitional—protection from criminal proceedings\n\nDespite the amendments of clause 112 of Schedule 7 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 made by this Act, that clause continues to apply, in relation to anything done before the transition time by:\n\n (a) the ACMA; or\n\n (b) a member or associate member of the ACMA; or\n\n (c) a member of the staff of the ACMA; or\n\n (d) a consultant engaged to assist in the performance of the ACMA’s broadcasting, content and datacasting functions (as defined in the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005); or\n\n (e) an officer whose services are made available to the ACMA under paragraph 55(1)(a) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005;\n\nas if those amendments had not been made.\n\n8  Transitional rules\n\nThe Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules in relation to transitional matters arising out of either or both of the following:\n\n (a) the amendments made by this Act;\n\n (b) the enactment of the Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n[Minister’s second reading speech made in—\n\nHouse of Representatives on 3 December 2014\n\nSenate on 2 March 2015]\n\n \n\n(261/14)\n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This Act reassigns specified broadcasting‑content enforcement and investigatory functions from the ACMA to the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner (see Schedule 1: new clause 169A and amendments to ss 173–177) and augments the Commissioner’s statutory toolkit by expressly permitting binding directions to carriers and service providers (Schedule 2: additions to s.579 and new ss 581(2A)–(4A)). It also updates cross‑references in the Criminal Code and FOI Act and creates detailed transitional mechanisms substituting the Commissioner in pending proceedings and transferring or providing access to records (Schedule 3 items 2–4). These changes shift institutional responsibility and impose new compliance and disclosure obligations on industry and other stakeholders."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross‑statutory amendments across Broadcasting Services Act 1992, Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005, Criminal Code, Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Telecommunications Act 1997.","Conditional and staged commencement provisions tied to the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015 (section 2 table; Schedule 2 Part 2).","Transfer of functions and responsibilities from an agency (ACMA) to a statutory office (Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner) with detailed transitional rules (Schedule 3: substitution in proceedings, transfer/availability of records, attribution of past acts).","New operational powers for the Commissioner to investigate: written notices summoning attendance/production, examination on oath, record provision and witness protections (Schedule 1: new clause 169A, amendments to ss 173–177 and related clauses).","Addition of a directions power over carriers and service providers and a statutory obligation to comply (Schedule 2: amendments adding s.579 and new subsections to s.581), creating direct operational compliance obligations for industry.","Modification of disclosure, FOI and authorised‑disclosure rules (Schedule 2 items affecting FOI exemptions and authorised disclosure definitions), impacting information flows and confidentiality.","Textual and drafting churn (numerous substitution of references, pronoun edits and selective repeals) increasing interpretive and implementation minutiae for lawyers and administrators."],"plain_english_summary":"Transfers specified online‑safety responsibilities from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to the Children’s e‑Safety Commissioner and updates multiple Acts to reflect that change.\n\nIt grants the Commissioner investigatory powers (summonses, document production, examination on oath), authority to issue directions to carriers and service providers, adjusts FOI and Criminal Code references, and establishes transitional arrangements — affecting regulators, carriers, online platforms and persons subject to investigations."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: making consequential amendments to support the establishment of the Children's e-Safety Commissioner. It does not expand beyond the technical and transitional matters necessary to implement the primary Act."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to other legislation (Broadcasting Services Act 1992, Telecommunications Act 1997, Criminal Code, etc.) requiring knowledge of those Acts to understand the full effect","Conditional commencement provisions tied to the commencement of another Act (Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation) Act 2015)","Numerous gendered pronoun changes ('its' to 'his or her') scattered throughout Schedules 5 and 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act","Transitional provisions dealing with attribution of past acts, substitution of parties in proceedings, and transfer of records","Nested definitions and scope limitations (e.g., 'exempt content-service documents' in FOI Act amendments)","Split jurisdiction between ACMA and Commissioner requiring careful parsing of which body handles which functions"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation is a 'clean-up' Act that makes technical changes to existing laws to support the creation of a new government role: the **Children's e-Safety Commissioner**.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Transfers powers** from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to the new Children's e-Safety Commissioner for matters involving online safety for children, specifically regarding internet content (Schedule 5) and content services (Schedule 7) under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.\n- **Updates references** across multiple Acts to replace \"ACMA\" with \"Commissioner\" or \"Children's e-Safety Commissioner\" where appropriate.\n- **Gives the Commissioner investigation powers**, including the ability to summon people to give evidence, produce documents, and answer questions under oath.\n- **Protects information sharing** by allowing telecommunications companies to disclose information to the Commissioner to assist with online safety functions.\n- **Handles the transition** by ensuring that anything the ACMA did before the change now counts as having been done by the Commissioner, and transfers ongoing court cases and records to the new office.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Social media companies and internet service providers** who must now respond to the Commissioner instead of the ACMA on certain matters.\n- **Telecommunications companies** who can now share information with the Commissioner.\n- **The general public**, particularly anyone summoned to give evidence in an investigation by the Commissioner.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis Act doesn't create new online safety rules itself — rather, it makes sure the legal machinery works properly when the main Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015 comes into force. It ensures the new Commissioner has the same investigative teeth that the ACMA had, and that existing protections and processes continue seamlessly."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015","history":"/api/acts/enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015/history","analysis":"/api/acts/enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/enhancing-online-safety-for-children-consequential-amendments-act-2015/documents"}}