Opened the debate
Pocock argued that the bill addresses a critical gap in protecting individual identity in the age of artificial intelligence. Pocock stated that the legislation establishes that faces, voices, and likenesses belong to individuals and should not be exploited without consent. The senator highlighted that the bill creates a dedicated complaints system for deepfake material and grants the eSafety Commissioner powers to mandate removal of such content. Pocock noted that amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 allow individuals to seek damages for emotional or reputational harm without proving financial loss. Pocock emphasised that the bill includes safeguards for legitimate uses by journalists, law enforcement, and scientific researchers.