COALITION OPPOSES LABOR’S MISINFORMATION BILL

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has confirmed that the Coalition will strongly oppose Labor’s new Misinformation Bill in Parliament, describing it as an attack on free speech.

When the Albanese Labor Government released its first Misinformation Bill last year, more than 20,000 people put in submissions and comments opposing it, and as a result it was withdrawn in disgrace.

Mr Pasin said the latest attempt has the Government trying to rush this legislation through giving the public just one week to make submissions to the Senate inquiry about it. 

Labor has again demonstrated a failure to respect the fundamental right of Australians to free speech.

“This Bill has no place in Australia,” Mr Pasin said.

“My office has been getting calls, letters and emails about the Albanese Government’s planned censorship laws and it has become one of the main topics of concern raised with me almost everywhere I go.

“It’s becoming increasingly clear to me that Australian’s don’t trust Albanese or his Government when it comes to censorship laws.

“Labor’s credibility is lacking since the Voice debate when Albanese labelled any view that wasn’t in line with Labor policy as ‘misinformation’,” Mr Pasin said.

Mr Pasin said the proposed Legislation gives digital platforms an enormous financial incentive to censor statements made by Australians.

“If the Government decides that digital platforms have not censored enough ‘misinformation’, they can face large fines,” Mr Pasin said.

“Let’s be clear, digital platforms care more about profits than the free speech of Australians. It stands to reason that they will censor large amounts of material to avoid the risk of fines. The provisions of the Bill are extremely broad and would capture many things said by Australians every day.

“Labor’s planned laws would also give the Communications Minister the powers to personally order Misinformation Investigations and Misinformation Hearings. This is an extremely dangerous precedent and an extraordinary power for a Minister to hold in a democracy like Australia.”

“I will strongly oppose this dangerous legislation, and I will always stand up to protect the free speech of Australians,” Mr Pasin said.