Britain and Australia have committed to holding a first forum in 2027 to help protect parliamentarians from online abuse, according to a joint statement published by Downing Street on 3 November. The initiative will involve Commonwealth parliamentary organisations and other participating countries.
The governments said they would work with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians to bring together technology, expertise and practical measures. The statement does not specify a date or venue within 2027, a funding commitment or an operational programme.
The announcement connects protection of elected representatives with participation in democratic life. The two governments argue that abuse, including gender-based threats, deters potential candidates and damages public debate. Those are the governments' assessments; the statement provides no independent evaluation of the proposed initiative.
It also points to existing bilateral memorandums on gender-based violence and online safety, and says software tools are being trialled in parliaments. It does not identify the tools or present results establishing their effectiveness. The new commitment is to cooperation and a future forum; the statement does not announce additional legally binding duties for technology companies.
The next stated milestone is the forum in 2027. Its membership, agenda and practical measures remain to be set out.
