Greens deliver final blow to Labor’s misinformation bill

The Greens and the Coalition have joined forces in a rare show of unity to torpedo the government’s misinformation bill.

The Greens have delivered the final nail in the coffin for the government’s misinformation bill, announcing they will call on Labor to withdraw the legislation.

The bill — which was listed for a vote on Monday — sought to stamp out misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms.

The Coalition has staunchly opposed the bill — in a rare occasion where both the right and the left were united against the proposal.

Late on Friday, the Greens said they would be opposing the bill, meaning it cannot pass the Senate.

“The Greens understand that mis- and disinformation is a growing danger to democracy, public discourse, health and safety both in Australia and around the world and needs to be tackled,” Greens communications spokesman Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“However we are concerned this bill doesn’t actually do what it needs to do when it comes to stopping the deliberate mass distribution of false and harmful information.”

Ms Hanson-Young called on the government to listen to community concern and withdraw the bill.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has called on the government to withdraw its misinformation bill. Picture: Martin Ollman

Coalition communications spokesman David Coleman said the bill was now facing “almost certain defeat”.

“Labor’s assault on the free speech of Australians has been dealt a severe, and likely terminal, blow,” Mr Coleman said.

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman. Picture: Martin Ollman

“This will represent a stunning loss for the Albanese government and its plans to tell everyday Australians what they can and can’t say online.

“The winner will be free speech in Australia.

“It’s been clear for a long time that Labor’s legislation had few friends.”

Ex-Labor Senator Fatima Payman and independent Jacqui Lambie were the most recent voices to oppose the proposed laws, along with fellow crossbenchers David Pocock and Tammy Tyrell.

“Freedom of speech is a pillar of our democracy and this bill threatens that,” Ms Payman said in a video on her social media account last week.

“Of course misinformation and disinformation are a problem but this bill isn’t the answer.

“That’s why I will vote against this bill.”

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