Commonwealth Heads of Government 2026 statement between the UK and Australia
Commonwealth leaders warn toxic online abuse threatens democracy and commit to joint action with Australia to improve digital safety and protect elected representatives.
A toxic online environment undermines democratic values and threatens the safety of journalists, health workers, and retail staff, according to a joint statement by Commonwealth leaders. The statement highlights that elected representatives, particularly women, face disproportionate online and offline threats, including sexualised abuse and physical violence. Governments acknowledge that such hostility discourages qualified individuals from seeking public office, weakening democratic participation across member states.
The UK and Australia reaffirm commitments made at the UN General Assembly to collaborate on making online spaces safer. This includes protecting users’ control over content exposure and shielding children from harmful material. Bilateral agreements between the two nations focus on addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence and strengthening online safety measures through shared expertise.
Leaders outline plans to convene a forum in 2027, partnering with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. The initiative aims to pool technological resources and practical solutions to combat online abuse targeting parliamentarians and restore respectful public discourse across the Commonwealth.
In the interim, governments pledge to implement immediate measures to safeguard democratic institutions while fostering long-term cultural and technological changes. Existing software tools being trialled in parliaments worldwide will be evaluated to identify effective strategies for mitigating digital threats and supporting safer online engagement.