Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment Bill 2026, Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) Bill 2026; First Reading

Summary

Two separate pieces of legislation were introduced for first reading in the Senate on 1 July 2026. The Major Sporting Events (Indicia and Images) Protection Amendment protects the logos, symbols, and images associated with major sporting events from unauthorised commercial use, strengthening existing protections under current sporting events legislation. The Online Safety Amendment (Strengthening Enforcement for the Social Media Minimum Age) tightens enforcement of age restrictions on social media platforms, likely amending the Online Safety Act to give regulators stronger powers to ensure platforms comply with minimum age requirements. Together, these laws address growing concerns about protecting sporting intellectual property and safeguarding young people's online safety in Australia's digital environment.

What happens at this stage

The bill is introduced to the chamber by its sponsor and given a formal title. No debate takes place. This step exists so all members are officially notified the bill is coming before any substantive discussion begins.

Next: Second Reading, where the chamber debates the bill's overall purpose and principles