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PASIN OPPOSES LABOR’S MISINFORMATION LEGISLATION

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Released 03/08/2023

TONY PASIN MP

MEMBER FOR BARKER

ASSISTANT SHADOW MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT

MEDIA RELEASE

 

PASIN OPPOSES LABOR’S MISINFORMATION LEGLISLATION

Member for Barker Tony Pasin MP has criticised proposed misinformation laws saying the Albanese Labor Government’s plan would amount to an attack on freedom of speech and expression across Australia.

 

Mr Pasin said that under the planned legislation, there would be one rule for Government MPs and another for every-day Australians who are just wanting to have their say.

 

The Government’s plans have been set out in their exposure draft of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023.

 

“Freedom of speech is fundamental to our democracy, and I’ll will always stand up against any proposal to diminish it,”

 

“This is a Labor Bill that was dreamed up in the Canberra bubble but it would have terrible impacts on free speech in local communities across the country and for everyday Australians.” Mr Pasin said.

 

Mr Pasin said the Coalition had identified many problems with the Bill including:

 

  • Authorised content by the Albanese Government can’t be misinformation, but criticisms of the Albanese Government by ordinary Australians can be misinformation.
  • The definition of “misinformation” is so broad that it could capture many statements made by Australians in the context of political debate.
  • 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.
  • ACMA would gain sweeping powers to require any Australian to appear at a time and place of it’s choosing to answer questions about misinformation or disinformation.  Heavy fines would apply for non-attendance.

 

“The Albanese Labor Government has got this horribly wrong. This Bill is appalling and will be strongly opposed by the Coalition.” Mr Pasin said.

 

Media Contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8724 7730