Australia’s electoral commissions are attempting to protect staff from online harm.

Members of the Electoral Council of Australia and New Zealand (ECANZ) have signed a joint referral protocol with the eSafety Commissioner to protect election staff from online harm. 

It is designed to create a pathway for seeking assistance in removing serious and harmful online material targeting election workers.

The council says the initiative acknowledges the increasingly complex online environment and represents a united front from Australia's electoral commissions. 

The protocol enables federal, state, and territory electoral commissions in Australia to refer incidents involving adult cyber abuse or the dissemination of illegal or restricted content about staff members to eSafety for urgent review and investigation.

“While free speech and robust debate are part of the democratic process, online abuse aimed at harassing, threatening or endangering our staff will not be tolerated,” says ECANZ Chair, Mick Sherry.

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says the agency has unique powers to support Australians experiencing serious adult cyber abuse and its impacts. 

“Vibrant, vigorous debate is the lifeblood of our modern democratic society and must be encouraged. But our right to express a political viewpoint or dissent does not trump a person’s right to live free from online harassment, hate and abuse, especially when that individual is performing a vital function in aid of free and fair elections,” Ms Inman Grant said.

She said eSafety would function “as a safety net for Australians who are the target of serious online abuse when platforms fail to act”.

“I encourage any Australian who needs support to visit eSafety.gov.au for resources, advice and guidance on how to report serious online abuse.”