The Coalition will not support Labor’s proposed Misinformation laws.
The Albanese Government’s exposure draft of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023 would suppress free speech in Australia.
Federal Member for Groom, Garth Hamilton said the Coalition was concerned about the impact of the laws on freedom of speech.
“Freedom of speech is fundamental to our democracy, and the Coalition will not be supporting these laws. It is a bad bill.”
Mr Hamilton said he had received hundreds of calls, emails and social media messages from residents expressing concern about the proposed laws.
“A broad range of constituents have rightfully expressed concern about what this Bill means for them, worried about the future of their community group or local radio station.
“The Bill gives the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) extraordinary powers. No government should be above criticism,” Mr Hamilton said.
The many problems with the Bill include:
- The definition of “misinformation” is so broad that it could capture many statements made by Australians in the context of political debate.
- Authorised content by the Albanese Government can’t be misinformation, but criticisms of the Albanese Government by ordinary Australians can be misinformation.
- Nothing an academic says can be misinformation, but statements by somebody disagreeing with an academic can be misinformation.
- Good faith statements made by entertainers cannot be misinformation, but good faith statements made by ordinary Australians on political matters can be misinformation.
- Journalists commenting on their personal digital platforms could have their content removed as misinformation.
- If the Minister has a favoured digital platform, then that platform could be entirely removed from the application of the misinformation laws.
Under the Albanese Government’s proposed laws, ACMA would gain sweeping powers to require any Australian to appear at a time and place of its choosing to answer questions about misinformation or disinformation. Heavy fines would apply for non-attendance.
Ends.