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
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

Baw Baw Shire Council's 2025/26 Community Grants are now open, community groups are encouraged to apply by 25 July 2025

Bass Coast Council seeks community feedback on draft 2025 Governance Rules and Election Policy until 17 July 2025

Gippsland Water supports local student through school-based apprenticeship in conservation and ecosystem management

Mobile Service Centre is coming to South Gippsland and other council project updates

Peri Urban Councils unite to address housing, infrastructure and growth challenges in fast-growing regions like Gippsland

Bass Coast Council adopts $123.2M budget focused on services, infrastructure and long-term financial sustainability

Bass Coast Council unites with the opposition against state's Emergency Services Levy, citing unfair burden on community

East Gippsland Shines with resilience, community spirit and winter warmth in a fortnight of highlights

Free workshops to help East Gippslanders boost home resilience to bushfires, storms, floods and extreme weather
