Over 30,000 Australians Back Petition to Halt Misinformation and Disinformation Bill

Liberal Senator Alex Antic has delivered a petition with more than 30,000 signatures against the Misinformation and Disinformation bill to Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
The bill, due to be debated in the Senate next weekend, would give the government the power to fine social media companies for spreading misinformation and disinformation online.
Accompanied by Michael Shellenberger, Chair of Politics, Censorship, and Free Speech at the University of Austin’s Centre for Bureaucratic Reform, Senator Antic expressed gratitude to those who supported the petition.
The Senator added, “We hope that it’s dead on arrival” to the Senate, before reflecting “We’ve still got some work to do.”
Independent and minor party Senators including Jacqui Lambie, Lidia Thorpe, Fatima Payman, David Van, Malcolm Roberts, and others, alongside the Coalition, have voiced objections.
In a recent speech to the  Senate on Nov. 19, Independent Senator David Van joined other independent Senators who have spoken out against the bill to criticise the bill.
“Our role in this place is not merely to pass or reject laws but to improve them and ensure they strengthen our way of life, including our freedoms.”
Liberal Senator Dean Smith also noted the legislation threatens to “undermine the democratic culture that has been a cornerstone of Australian society.
“While misinformation and disinformation are genuine challenges in our digital age, the solution cannot be one that gives excessive power to the government, stifles open debate and compromises freedom of speech,” he said.
“Australians have every reason to be alarmed. As a nation that has consistently ranked among the top democracies in the world, we have now slipped to 14th place under the Albanese government’s watch.”
One Nation Senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts plan to move a motion to remove the Bill from the Senate legislative agenda.
Serious harm includes content that harms public health, the integrity of an Australian electoral process, or the vilification of a group in Australian society.
Further, it includes imminent harm to the Australian economy, damage to critical infrastructure, disruption of emergency services, and intentionally inflicted physical industry.
Australia’s media watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) would have the power to hold digital platforms accountable for information spread on their platforms.
These powers would include imposing fines through injunctions and civil penalties, making rules, and issuing formal warnings and remedial directions against social media platforms.