Gippsland › Latest news › Gippsland Portal Feature
Misinformation Bill insults Australians and undermines free speech says Russell Broadbent
![Misinformation Bill insults Australians and undermines free speech says Russell Broadbent](http://gippsland.com/images/News/Features/20240602-misinformation-bill-insults-australians-russell-broadbent.png)
Misinformation Bill insults Australians and undermines free speech says Russell Broadbent
Russell Broadbent believes that the government's Misinformation and Disinformation Bill insults Australians, undermining free speech. History shows 'misinformation' can later be true. We must hold the government accountable.
I have been long advocating for our human rights - especially our right to free speech. The government's Misinformation and Disinformation Bill is, in my opinion, an insult to Australians - not only is it dangerous and far reaching, but it implies that Australians can't think for themselves. As I said in the parliament last year - there have been countless cases throughout history where what was originally classed as misinformation was later proven to be true.
The Misinformation and Disinformation Bill insults Australians. It's dangerous, far-reaching, and implies Australians can't think for themselves. History shows 'misinformation' often proves true
Vaccine mandate concerns
Take the Covid pandemic, for example, in early 2022, the Rural Doctors Association attacked me for rejecting the mandating of Covid vaccines - a stance which was simply based on the principles of informed consent, bodily autonomy, and the right of Australians to make their own decisions about their health.
My position was labelled as 'misinformation', and my ethics were directly questioned by the RDA, media, and my colleagues. Many people I know were censored for their stance on covid vaccination or for simply questioning the government's narrative. But with the sheer number of excess deaths and vaccination injuries being reported now, it seems that the so-called 'safe and effective' catch cry was neither.
Misinformation concerns addressed
So, why isn't this classified as misinformation? If the vaccine worked so well, why do we have hundreds of thousands - possibly up to 2 million - Australians suffering with long covid? It just doesn't add up.
When the government is the sole arbiter of truth - and along with professional news outlets and educational institutions, excluded from the Bill's scrutiny - the risk of misinformation and disinformation is that much greater. Because, at the end of the day, no one is holding them to account. But I am. And you should too. That's justice as I see it.
Pictures from Russell Broadbent MP website.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Darren Chester promotes Mobile Service Centres that offer essential government services like Centrelink and Medicare across Gippsland
![](http://global.gippsland.com/myrp/images/new.gif)
Gippsland Water adds customer care pop-ups for in-person payment support in Sale, Drouin, Warragul for July and Moe in August 2024
Latrobe River Bridge at Tyers had completion delayed to August 2024 frustrating residents with safety concerns
Baw Baw Shire attends 2024 Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in Canberra advocating peri urban areas
Enjoy free chicken parma while listening to inspiring story of Warren Davies South Gippsland Farmer on 22 July 2024 at Mirboo North Hotel
Join Latrobe City Council and Planet Ark for National Tree Day 2024 at W H Burrage Reserve in Newborough on 28 July 2024
Latrobe City Council requests Planning Panel for Amendment C144 for Traralgon West Precinct on 9 September 2024
Latrobe Valley clubs excelled at 2024 Community Clubs Victoria awards with Morwell and Moe clubs earning top honours
Warragul Leisure Centre $11M expansion of community sports facilities opens 28 July 2024