Coalition slams Labor over misinformation bill submissions

The opposition has accused the government of delaying the publication of submissions responding to Labor’s proposed laws to combat misinformation and disinformation because of the volume of criticism.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Opposition communications spokesman David Coleman has accused the Albanese government of delaying publication of submissions responding to Labor’s proposed laws to combat misinformation and disinformation because of the volume of criticism.

The website for the draft legislation unveiled by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was quietly updated overnight on Sunday to say submissions will be uploaded in “several tranches from early September”, after Sunday’s feedback deadline.

The website previously said submissions would be published after August 20 “in tranches”.

The draft legislation will empower the Australian Communications and Media Authority to fine social media giants millions of dollars for online misinformation and content it deems “harmful”, in a move criticised by Coalition MPs, social media platforms and prominent barristers.

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance has become the latest organisation to raise concerns about the legislation, warning its broad definitions could be problematic and the exclusion of content produced by governments was “concerning”.

The left-wing journalists union joined a chorus of criticism surrounding the bill, which will allow ACMA to seek information from platforms about measures they have in place to address misinformation and enforce an industry standard if self-regulation fails.

Mr Coleman accused the government of deliberately delaying the release of the bill due to the wave of criticism levelled at the proposal.

“It’s likely there’s been an avalanche of negative submissions on the government’s appalling plan,” he said.

“We’ve seen that evidence today with even the media union putting in a submission warning that provisions in the bill were ‘dangerous and open to misuse and exploitation’.”

Mr Coleman called on Ms Rowland to release the submissions immediately for the sake of transparency. “Minister Rowland also needs to explain why she wants to publish the submissions in tranches, instead of releasing them at the same time.

“How can the public be confident that the minister won’t pick and choose friendly submissions first in a bid to spin the story about her misinformation bill?

“The minister should also reveal just how many submissions have been received.”

A spokesman for Ms Rowland said the department had been clear since consultation opened in June that “submissions will be published on the website in tranches after consultation closed”. “The department extended the submission period from August 6 to August 20 to provide more time for stakeholders to have their say, and the September timing reflects this extended date,” he said.

“Releasing submissions in this way reflects longstanding practice of ensuring compliance with how respondents want their submissions and information treated.”

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