auIGF Position paper

The auIGF is pleased to release the draft 2025 Position Paper for public consultation:

Developing a Social Contract for Digital Wellbeing in Australia

Building on the success of our inaugural 2024 paper, this year’s Position Paper explores how Australia can create a shared framework of principles, rights and responsibilities to ensure that technology serves people, communities, and the public interest.

Why this matters

Digital technologies have transformed our society, but they’ve also created profound challenges—cybersecurity risks, misuse of personal data, harmful content, mis/disinformation, and environmental impacts. Meanwhile, Australia’s fragmented regulatory environment and the growing market power of major technology companies risk leaving individuals, small businesses and communities behind.

This Position Paper asks for feedback on a possible Social Contract that could cover the following:

• Can we develop a shared set of principles, rights and responsibilities to guide digital governance in Australia?
• What would it look like to ensure that technology serves people, rather than the other way around?
• How can we build a digital environment that supports democracy, competition, privacy, and wellbeing?

The draft draws inspiration from international examples, such as Brazil’s Marco Civil da Internet and the European Commission’s Digital Principles, while aiming to develop an Australian framework rooted in collaboration across government, industry, civil society and the technical community.

Consultation process

Open for feedback: 6 August – 29 August 2025 (5:00pm AEST)

Key questions for input:

1. Do you support this statement: “A Social Contract for Digital Wellbeing would help to cultivate a digital future in which technology serves humanity, rather than the other way around.”
2. Do you support this statement: “A representative group from the  auIGF community should develop an overarching, principles-based Social Contract for Digital Wellbeing in Australia to be presented at the 2026 auIGF.”
3. Is there anything else that needs to be considered as part of the discussion on the feasibility of exploring a Social Contract for Digital Wellbeing?
4. Please list any other initiatives you’re aware of that Australia could look to for inspiration.
5. If there is consensus to proceed, what sort of people should be included on the drafting group?

How to contribute:

• Share your views through the Consultation Form. 
• If you are unable to access the form, contact us at [email protected] for alternatives.

Please ensure you include your name and affiliation, anonymous contributions will not be accepted.

Next steps

The auIGF Position Paper Committee will review all feedback and release a revised draft ahead of auIGF 2025.

The updated paper will be presented for discussion and consensus testing at the auIGF 2025 Townhall on 24 September in Adelaide. This is your opportunity to influence the future of digital governance in Australia and help shape a shared commitment to digital wellbeing.

Read the Position Paper and share your feedback via the Consultation Form.

Consultation closes: Friday 29 August, 5:00pm AEST.

By participating, you can help us ensure Australia’s digital future is inclusive, trusted and accountable.