How can we have democracy & accountability without free speech? (Gerard Rennick)

Labor’s misinformation bill is just censorship plain and simple.

This is a pretty straightforward speech I gave in the chamber about protecting free speech.

This means voting down the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill which is designed to shut down free speech.

There is no need for this bill other than to push a censorship agenda.

It’s bad enough under any circumstances, but trying to push it during a cost of living crisis shows just how out of touch the Government is.



The misinformation and disinformation Bill creates a dystopia, where you'll be punished for speaking out and sharing information that the Government, and connected institutions, does not want aired. Decisions will be made with little public pushback, or critique, if they declare such things to be harmful or wrong. The big problem is that we've seen them push material in recent years that's been completely wrong and has killed people, and they suffer no consequences. This opens the door for further 'mistakes' where we'll end up doing whatever the sponsors of the Gov have arranged, including where we follow along with the corrupt dictates coming from the corrupt, corporatised US Government. What could go wrong?! So please alert people to what's going on. You can reverse the mess they create if the Bill passes the Senate by voting for anti globalist parties in the next election. The Bill should also be challenged in court as being unconstitutional, and insane, and I expect this to happen. (ed)

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, October 25, 2024.]