Coalition calls on Labor to ‘bin’ controversial misinformation bill

The federal Coalition has ratcheted up its campaign against Labor’s proposed laws to combat online misinformation, calling on the Albanese government to ‘bin the bill’.

The federal Coalition has ratcheted up its campaign against Labor’s proposed laws to combat online misinformation, launching a website calling on the Albanese government to “bin the bill”.

A new website with a link to a petition calling on the federal government to dump the controversial proposed bill, which will grant the media watchdog heightened powers to fine social media giants millions of dollars for misinformation and content it deems “harmful”.

The Coalition partyroom officially announced its opposition to the draft exposure bill last week, citing concerns that the legislation will suppress freedom of speech if enacted.

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman said the website would be “central to our grassroots campaign to stop this terrible bill”.

“The site is called ‘Bin the Bill’ because that’s exactly what needs to happen,” Mr Coleman said.

“We want everyday Australians to be able to voice their opposition to the Bill, because it’s their free speech that is under threat.

“People who sign up at the site will be kept up to date on developments on our campaign against this shocking bill.”

Under the proposal, digital platforms will continue to be responsible for moderating content on their services but the Australian Communications and Media Authority would be able to seek information from tech companies about their efforts to address misinformation and disinformation. ACMA will also be able to develop an industry-wide standard or a tougher form of regulation if self-regulation falls short.

Social media giants including Meta, Twitter and TikTok are already signatories to an industry code of practice to combat misinformation administered, which was launched in February 2021.

Examples provided with the draft included misinformation that caused people to ingest bleach to treat an infection, misinformation that undermined the impartiality of the Australian Electoral Commission ahead of an election, or spreading misinformation about water-saving measures during a drought.

Communications Minister Michele Rowland has said ACMA “would work with industry” on the implementation of a voluntary code and stressed public consultation on the bill was still ongoing.