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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.

By news@gippsland - 22nd May 2024 - Back to News

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

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• Melina Bath demands Allan government deliver promised 'Youth Crime Prevention Program' for Latrobe Valley
  The Nationals are demanding the Allan government deliver the long-promised Youth Crime Prevention Program in Latrobe Valley, addressing rising youth crime, restoring diversion programs, and supporting at-risk young people effectively.
• Melina Bath condemns Labor government for recycled road funding spin and failure to deliver real investment
  Melina Bath has accused the Allan government of recycling old road funding announcements, labelling them propaganda and demanding genuine investment to address the worsening condition of regional Victoria's neglected roads.
• Melina Bath urges Allan government to end delays and deliver the long-promised Cape to Cape Plan
  Pressure is growing on the Allan government to end years of delays and release the Cape to Cape Resilience Plan, ensuring urgent coastal protection and reflecting community feedback for Inverloch.
• Danny O'Brien urges Labor government to fund new Port Welshpool Coast Guard vessel for community safety
  Danny O'Brien urges the Allan Labor government to urgently fund a new $2 million vessel for Port Welshpool Coastguard, ensuring volunteers can safely cover Corner Inlet, Wilsons Promontory, and protect locals.
• Melina Bath blames Allan government as Victoria's public housing waitlist surges amid worsening housing crisis
  Victoria's housing crisis deepens as public housing waitlists surge past 60,000. Melina Bath blames the Allan government's inaction, rising taxes, and mismanagement for worsening homelessness and unaffordable rents across the state.
• Tim Bull warns Victorian government policies leave record fuel loads, risking another mega-fire
  Tim Bull warns Victorian government’s reduced fuel reduction policies and record bushfire fuel loads are creating conditions for another mega-fire, urging urgent action to protect communities and support firefighters’ efforts.
• Farmers demand urgent government action as pest animals surge across East Gippsland and Victoria
  Farmers in East Gippsland and eastern Victoria face rising pest animal impacts, with ASAC urging coordinated government action, long-term funding and improved control measures to protect agriculture, livelihoods and communities.
• Danny O'Brien urges Allan Labor government to fix online rebate issues affecting CFA and SES volunteers' access to support
  Danny O'Brien has urged the Allan Labor Government to fix the online-only rebate system, saying CFA and SES volunteers struggle to access support and deserve easier, paper-based application options.
• Melina Bath condemns Allan government, warns emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped
  Melina Bath condemned the Allan Government for misleading regional Victorians, warning the emergency services tax delay is political, not scrapped, and calling for its full abolition to protect farmers and communities.
• Darren Chester calls on Victorian government to prioritise rebuilding Sale College amid safety, ageing infrastructure concerns
  Darren Chester has urged the Victorian government to prioritise a new single-site campus for Sale College, citing deteriorating facilities, safety concerns, and long-standing community frustration.
• Tim Bull criticises Labor government for mismanagement, volunteer cuts, and inadequate fuel reduction ahead of high-risk summer season
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warns communities face extreme bushfire risk this summer due to Labor’s volunteer cuts, ageing CFA fleet, inadequate fuel reduction, and failure to implement Royal Commission recommendations.
• Peri Urban Councils urge state government to invest in infrastructure and support housing growth across regions
  Peri Urban Councils Victoria is urging government investment in infrastructure after a new report recommended 40% of new homes be built in regional Australia, highlighting housing demand, high costs, and infrastructure pressures.
• Tim Bull urges Labor government to stop costly brumby culling amid Parks Victoria job and funding cuts
  Tim Bull urges Labor to halt costly brumby culling in East Gippsland, citing job losses, funding cuts, and greater threats from feral pigs, while advocating for more responsible taxpayer spending.
• Tim Bull condemns Labor government for rejecting Jack’s Law, delaying vital reforms to prevent knife-related harm
  Gippsland East MP Tim Bull criticises Labor for blocking Jack’s Law, a proven reform to enhance police powers, remove dangerous weapons, and improve community safety against knife-related violence.
• Coalition demands Albanese government regulate veterans’ advocacy sector after damning Senate committee report release
  The Coalition urges urgent laws to regulate veterans’ advocacy, citing unethical practices, rising commercial providers, data risks, and unmet Royal Commission reforms to better protect vulnerable veterans and their families.