The Albanese government wants to destroy free speech with this bill
Nation First relooks at the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill
Dear friend,
The Albanese Government has got this horribly wrong… This Bill is appalling and will be strongly opposed by the Coalition.
— Hon. David Coleman MP, Shadow Minister for Communication on the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill.
The proposed Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill by Australia’s Albanese Labor government is a concerning move that could give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) undue censorship powers over online content.
The bill, if passed, would allow the ACMA to penalise digital platforms and individuals for what they deem as "misinformation" or "disinformation", a dangerous precedent that could potentially stifle independent media and free speech in Australia.
The ambiguous nature of the bill, as highlighted by the Australian Human Rights Commission, leaves room for misuse and abuse of power, threatening our fundamental freedom.
The potential for a single government minister to determine what is "false" and then penalise ordinary Australians for promoting it is a clear infringement on democratic principles and should be vehemently opposed.
It is imperative for all who value freedom and democracy to actively oppose this bill and protect the right to exercise free speech in Australia. Let's stand together against any form of political censorship.
Hardly any time had passed since the great failure that was the Voice Referendum when the Albanese Labor government was putting its efforts into yet another attempt at undermining democracy in Australia.
This time, the attempt was via a new piece of anti-freedom legislation, called the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill.
Nation First’s regular readers know that this bill aims to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Big Brother-style censorship powers when dealing with online content it deems to be “false, misleading or deceptive, and where the provision of that content on the service is reasonably likely to cause or contribute to serious harm.”
In effect, it would lead to the ACMA becoming Australia’s own Ministry of Truth, straight out of George Orwell’s dystopian fiction, 1984.
It would also give the ACMA the authority to enact penalties and fines on digital platforms if their self-regulation measures “prove insufficient in addressing the threat posed by misinformation and disinformation.”
In addition, the ACMA will also be given authority to order any Australian to appear at a time and place of its choosing to answer queries about the content they post online.
In other words, it could be the death of independent media and free speech in Australia.
Any voice going against the established narratives, and thus, spreading ‘misinformation,’ would get penalised into compliance by the ACMA.
Christian groups have also highlighted their concerns about this bill.
Nation First has already covered already how Christian posts are already being censored or labeled as ‘misinformation,’ by Big Tech.
If this bill is passed, this suppression is likely to intensify.
Big Tech will have a convenient excuse that they are simply complying with the ACMA’s regulations.
The legacy media is trying to paint the picture that the current opposition and protests happening are only from the political far-right.
In reality, even the Australian Human Rights Commission has expressed its concerns regarding the bill.
Of note, they highlight the ambiguous nature of the bill’s content and how it can be exploited for the abuse of freedom.
For instance, what exactly would qualify as ‘false, misleading or deceptive’ and who is the one deciding what qualifies?
If the government is both the arbiter and enforcer then you have a recipe for totalitarianism.
And, in fact, it’s worse than that.
A note from Federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, released under Freedom of Information laws, states that:
The Minister for Communications is able to request the ACMA to investigate matters under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and to give general directions under the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005.
This may even mean that just one single Minister in the government might be able to determine what is ‘false’, and then penalise ordinary Australians for promoting whatever they claim is ‘false’.
Regarding the bill, the Australian Human Rights Commission has this to say:
While there is a clear need to combat misinformation and disinformation online, there is also a risk that in doing so different perspectives and controversial opinions may be targeted.
While reasonable minds may differ on exactly where the line should be drawn, if we fail to ensure robust safeguards for freedom of expression online, then the very measures taken to combat misinformation and disinformation could themselves risk undermining Australia’s democracy and values.
While the Albanese Labor Government has delayed introducing the bill into the Australian Parliament, and taken it back to the drawing board, no amount of rewriting will fix the fact that it is a bill designed to enact political censorship in Australia.
For those of us who value freedom, it is necessary for us to continue to voice our opposition to this bill.
Either we prevent this bill from being passed or we permanently lose our right to exercise our free speech.
Until next time, God bless you, your family and nation.
Take care,
George Christensen, with a Nation First staff writer
George Christensen is a former Australian politician, a Christian, freedom lover, conservative, blogger, podcaster, journalist and theologian. He has been feted by the Epoch Times as a “champion of human rights” and his writings have been praised by Infowars’ Alex Jones as “excellent and informative”.
George believes Nation First will be an essential part of the ongoing fight for freedom:
“The time is now for every proud patriot to step to the fore and fight for our freedom, sovereignty and way of life. Information is a key tool in any battle and the Nation First newsletter will be a valuable tool in the battle for the future of the West.”
— George Christensen.
Find more about George at his www.georgechristensen.com.au website.
This is an appalling move by followers of the NWO to crush freedom of opinion, ideas, and speech. It should never have even been thought of.
Michelle Pearse from ACL talked to Michelle Rowland who assured MP that freedom of religion would be protected.
But who trusts these morons in power?