Albanese says Trump and Musk won’t stop social media ban

Anthony Albanese has blasted concerns his government’s agenda on tackling social media harms faces opposition from Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Tasmania to announce former state leader Rebecca White as the Lyons Labor candidate for the next federal election. Picture: Nikki Davis Jones/NewsWire

Anthony Albanese has blasted concerns his government’s agenda on tackling social media harms through its misinformation bill and social media ban for children faces opposition from Donald Trump and his Republican colleagues, saying the view of leaders in the US do not have a bearing on Australian policies.

The Prime Minister on Tuesday bristled at suggestions his ­social media policies would be complicated by Mr Trump’s win at the US election, given his close relationship with Elon Musk.

“We decide the policies that Australia puts forward as a sovereign nation,” he said.

It follows the Coalition on Monday asking whether anyone from the departments of home affairs or communications had received national security advice over the government’s misinformation bill and whether the legislation would add tension to the relationship with the US.

Home Affairs officials were not able to confirm whether such advice had been sort.

The concern over the impact of Labor’s social media policies come after US vice-president-elect JD Vance suggested America’s support for groups like NATO would be dependent on whether its members regulated social media platforms like Mr Musk’s site, X, formerly known as Twitter.

“What America should be saying is if NATO wants us to continue supporting them and NATO wants us to continue to be a good participant in this military alliance, why don’t you respect American values and respect free speech?” Mr Vance said on a podcast earlier this year. “It’s insane that we would support a military alliance if that military alliance isn’t going to be pro-free speech.”

Elon Musk and US president-elect Donald Trump.

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman accused Mr Albanese of not having “any real understanding” of the misinformation legislation and its implications. “The misinformation bill is one of the worst pieces of legislation ever proposed by an Australian government,” he said.

“The chorus of condemnation against this shocking bill just gets louder every day.

“If Mr Albanese had any real understanding of what is actually in the legislation, he would know the only sensible course of action is to withdraw it.

“This would free up valuable time for debate on other ­legislation.”

Despite its opposition to the misinformation laws, which would empower the Australian Communications and Media Authority to fine tech giants for false content it deemed harmful, the Coalition has been vocal on the need for social media bans for under 16s.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland would not say whether the government had sought any advice on the implications for the misinformation bill and the social media ban should Mr Trump be elected to be president.

However, Labor sources said consultation was undertaken “across government on preparation of the legislation for introduction to parliament”.