Anglican Diocese Warns Duty of Care Bill Risks Censorship

Sydney's Anglican Diocese tells a Senate inquiry that Labor's digital duty of care bill could restrict Biblical teaching.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Catholicism

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified classical parliament facade in deep red and cream under flat light, evoking institutional limits on speech. — Sydney's Anglican Diocese warns Labor's digital duty of care bill could restrict Biblical teaching, telling a Senate inquiry it risks censorship. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sydney's Anglican Diocese has submitted concerns to the Senate inquiry into Labor's digital duty of care bill, arguing it could lead to censorship of Biblical teachings. The inquiry is hearing testimony from religious leaders, broadcasters and the eSafety commissioner on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The Anglican Diocese fears automated moderation systems would classify Biblical teaching on male headship and creation as gender-based non-physical violence. Labor has rejected the alleged censorship risk, while the coalition has turned against the bill over the same concern.

The bill sets fines of up to $109.2 million for platforms that do not comply, and exempts professional news, educational and public interest content. How religious teaching would be treated under the bill's categories has not been resolved by the inquiry.

The players

Anglican Diocese of Sydney

The Sydney-based Anglican diocese, which does not permit women to be ordained as priests, submitted concerns about the bill's potential effect on Biblical teaching.

Michael Stead

Bishop Michael Stead is the Anglican bishop who wrote the diocese's submission to the Senate inquiry.

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

The national body of Catholic bishops in Australia, which has asked for a religious carve-out from the duty of care bill.

The details

Bishop Michael Stead wrote the Anglican Diocese submission to the Senate inquiry. The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has also raised concerns and suggested a religious carve-out from the bill, while the Australian Jewish Association argued that the fines would push platforms to err on the side of censorship.

Tuesday, 10 November 2026: Senate hearings examine the digital duty of care bill with religious leaders and the eSafety commissioner.

Culture Shift

The debate over Labor's digital duty of care bill reflects a wider Australian argument about whether online moderation rules should reach religious teaching on matters such as gender and creation. Religious groups are now pressing for explicit carve-outs in a bill framed around protecting children online.

Platforms may change how they moderate religious content if the bill passes with its current fines, which could affect what Australian Catholics and Anglicans can post or share. The bill's exemptions for professional news, educational and public interest content may determine how religious teaching is classed.

The takeaway

Religious groups are asking for clearer wording before the duty of care bill is finalised, so readers should watch how the Senate inquiry addresses carve-outs for faith-based content. The outcome will show whether online safety rules can be written without limiting religious teaching.