Labor introduced a bill which makes them the ministry of truth.
'Attack on our freedoms': Government's revised online misinformation bill slammed as ‘chilling assault’ on free speech
Labor's new online misinformation bill has been slammed as a "chilling assault" on freedom of speech, with critics claiming the government's definition of "serious harm" could capture "any difference of opinion".
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland introduced the legislation to Parliament on Thursday, claiming misinformation and disinformation pose a “serious threat” to Australian’s “safety and wellbeing” as well as “our democracy, society and economy”.
The Albanese government was forced to abandon a previous draft version of the laws after they were widely condemned by everyone from media organisations and tech companies to civil liberties groups and even the Australian Human Rights Commission.But critics are already lining up to attack the bill, with the Institute of Public Affairs describing the legislation as “the single biggest attack on freedom of speech in Australia’s peacetime history”.
“Misinformation legislation introduced into federal parliament today represents a chilling assault on every Australian’s right to free speech. The new Bill broadens provisions to censor speech, which even the government’s fatally flawed first draft did not include,” said John Storey, the Director of Law and Policy at the IPA.
Free Speech Union of Australia also slammed the legislation, telling SkyNews.com.au the legislation was an “attack on our freedoms”.
“Despite the outpouring of public concern last time around, the Government has still failed to address the key issues with it,” Free Speech Union of Australia Co-Director Dr Reuben Kirkham said.
While the bill would also create an “unelected and unaccountable star chamber bureaucracy” with the power to launch investigations and hearings to ensure compliance with censorship guidelines.More here-
https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/attack-on-our-freedoms-govern...