Latest News
• Add My News • Search Old News
Human rights commissioner issues dire warning that proposed online misinformation laws threaten democracy and free speechRussell Broadbent calls for public vigilance and the rejection of this concerning Bill, warning against Labor's proposed online misinformation laws highlighting their threat to democracy and free speech. By news@gippsland - 25th August 2023 - Back to News Hello. Russell Broadbent here. Member for Monash. Yesterday I mentioned that 'Labor's proposed laws to combat online misinformation could undermine democracy, erode public trust and jeopardise free speech'. That's a big call - and she's spot on! 
Australians are entitled to the freedom of speech, and it's imperative to halt this problematic legislation. Please join the petition to safeguard your right to express yourself Human rights committee reliefAs the Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I'm not only pleased to hear her say this, but downright relieved. It's unusual for the Human Rights Commissioner to make such strong public statements against a government Bill. So it's telling that Ms Finlay felt the need to do so on this one. The silence and complacency from others who should also be shouting and standing up against this Bill is ominous, and their indifference disturbs me greatly. Ms Finlay cut to the crux of the issue - the Bill's dangerously broad definitions of 'misinformation' and 'harm'. She also acknowledged that even without this Bill, information has already been 'opportunistically labelled as 'misinformation' or 'disinformation to justify censorship'. We saw this in recent Freedom of Information documents which showed more than 4000 social media posts had been secretly censored by (our) government during the height of the pandemic, including posts that simply stated "no masks". Free speech threatenedMs Finlay also made the critical point that "In Australia, we have some really challenging (and) complex issues that we're negotiating and we need people to be able to speak frankly and freely about their thoughts or views." She also echoed my concern that the government is exempt from its own laws - meaning that government information cannot be considered misinformation or disinformation under the law! Yes you heard correctly. Have no doubt, this is a slippery slope which threatens to seriously harm our already fragile freedoms and democracy. As Ms Finlay said "People not only need to be able to speak freely, but they need to believe that they are able to speak freely." To have democracy we need free speech, and this Bill needs to be binned. That's justice I see. Pictures from Russell Broadbent MP Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Labor government's VicGrid laws pass with crossbench backing amid Nationals' warning of property rights erosion
The Allan government's VicGrid laws passed with crossbench support, sparking Nationals' criticism over lost property rights, silenced regional voices, and overreach. The Nationals vow repeal in 2026 to restore landholder protections. - East Gippsland Council to consider proposed changes to Raymond Island Ferry pass system at September meeting
East Gippsland Shire Council will consider proposed Raymond Island Ferry pass changes, including extra landowner passes, renter passes, and future consultation, aiming for fairer allocation and improved functionality from 2026/27. - South Gippsland Shire Council seeks community feedback on two proposed accessible locations for new toilet facilities in Nyora's RSL Park
South Gippsland Shire Council invites feedback on two proposed Nyora RSL Park toilet locations, offering improved safety, accessibility, and amenities. Submissions close Sunday, 12 October 2025. - Danny O'Brien warns Bayside Health merger threatens Gippsland communities, confirming hidden health service consolidation
Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's Bayside Health merger, warning it will reduce local hospital autonomy, limit community input, and risk services for Gippsland residents, prioritising bureaucratic cost-saving over patient care. - Melina Bath criticises Labor government shutting public beekeeping, threatening Victoria's food security and horticultural jobs
Melina Bath condemned the Allan Labor government's closure of public land beekeeping, warning it threatens food security, pollination, horticultural exports, and regional jobs, calling for policy reversal and support for apiarists. - Free Gippsland workshop with Tony Evans on maximising dairy effluent through composting and sustainability
Gippsland dairy farmers are invited to a free workshop with Tony Evans on effluent management, exploring composting, fermentation, and biogas to boost sustainability, save money, and reduce reliance on external nutrients. - Albanese government limits tribunal powers, undermining veterans' rights and restricting reviews of military honours
The Albanese government has limited the Defence Honours Tribunal, banning reviews of actions over 20 years old, restricting veterans' appeals, and undermining independent recognition of historic military bravery. - Join our free Beninette Tour for behind-the-scenes access, event facilities insights, and booking information
Ever wondered what's really beyond the bricks at Berninneit? Thinking about hiring a space or curious about what's backstage? Join us for a free guided tour and get an insider's look at every space in Berninneit, in just half an hour. - West Gippsland CMA hosts free sustainable farming workshops with local landcare groups from September 2025 to March 2026
West Gippsland CMA is hosting free farm field days September - March, showcasing sustainable agriculture, carbon farming, and local expertise. Workshops cover soil health, biodiversity, biofertilizers, and agribusiness opportunities. - Bass Coast Shire Council hosts free creative industries workshop with marketing strategies, PR insights on 12 November 2025
Bass Coast Shire Council is hosting a free creative industries workshop in Cowes on 12 November, offering marketing strategies, PR insights, business support, and networking with local media. - Wellington Shire Council offers free green waste disposal to help residents reduce fire hazards this season
Wellington Shire Council is urging property owners, particularly in coastal communities, to prepare for the fire danger period by taking advantage of its Fire Ready No-Fee Green Waste Disposal program. - South Gippsland Seniors Festival offers free and low-cost events to connect, create, and celebrate together
South Gippsland celebrates Victorian Seniors Festival this October with 60+ free and low-cost events across nine towns, inviting over-60s to connect, create, celebrate, and enjoy community through sport, arts, learning, and fun. - Nationals' $100M Safer Communities Plan targets crime crisis with tough laws and prevention programs across Gippsland
Martin Cameron backed a $100 million Safer Communities Plan, promising tougher laws and prevention programs to tackle Victoria's crime crisis, restore community safety, and support at-risk youth, contrasting Labor's cuts. - David Littleproud urges Labor to deliver interest-free loans as farmers voice urgent drought forum concerns
Nationals leader David Littleproud says the Drought Forum reinforced urgent calls for interest-free farm loans, urging Labor to act swiftly as farmers face worsening hardship, particularly in South Australia's dairy industry. - AFL investigating alleged racism at Omeo District grand final following online video reports
AFL is investigating alleged racism at the Omeo District grand final after online videos surfaced. MP Tim Bull condemned the behaviour, stressing racism is unacceptable and must never be tolerated in community sport. - Darren Chester urges abandoning flawed legislation restricting medal reviews to actions within 20 years
The Albanese government's proposed legislation limits medal appeals to 20 years, stripping veterans and families of rights. Darren Chester says the changes undermine the Defence Honours Tribunal's independence and disenfranchise ADF members. - Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government, LSV to ensure lifeguard patrols continue safely, without cuts
Bass Coast Shire Council urges Victorian government and LSV to guarantee lifeguard patrols, warning proposed funding hike strains budgets while beaches remain high-risk, with recent drownings highlighting urgent safety needs. - Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy removing Gippslanders' right to appeal development decisions
Danny O'Brien criticises Labor's fast-track renewable energy policy after Gelliondale Wind Farm reapplies, warning it removes Gippslanders' appeal rights, undermines safeguards, and threatens proper siting of turbines near homes.
|
|
