‘Tantrum over Voice vote’: Anthony Albanese criticised over ‘brazen attack’ on free speech

Anthony Albanese’s government has been accused of throwing a “tantrum” with a new proposal that has left legal experts in a head spin.

The government has been accused of playing Big Brother with a new proposal that’s been blasted as an “attack on free speech and democracy” from a top think tank.

In an attempt to battle “misinformation”, the government is now flirting with the idea of giving the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) the power to slap fines or even criminal charges on what it deems “untrue” or “misleading” electoral advertising.

The powers, if granted, would mean the Electoral Commission has the final say on what messages are appropriate for the public to view.

The new law will give the Australian Electoral Commission the final say on what messages are appropriate for the public to view. Picture: Getty Images

The legislation is aimed at misinformation. Picture: iStock

The development was called “chilling” by John Storey, Director of Law and Policy at the Institute of Public Affairs, who heavily criticised the proposal and warned Australia of the slippery slope it could found itself on.

He described it as a full-frontal assault on free speech dressed up in the sheep’s clothing of protecting democracy.

“So-called ‘truth in political advertising’ laws are nothing more than a brazen attack on free speech, and are fundamentally designed to shut down political opposition to the agendas of the federal government and the political elite,” Mr Storey said.

According to Mr Storey, the move is nothing more than the political elite’s latest strategy to muzzle any opposition from challenging whatever agenda the commission is pursuing.

He claimed it was another example of the “undignified tantrum” Australia’s political elites have thrown after the comprehensive defeat at the Voice to Parliament referendum.

The government is now flirting with the idea of turning the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) into the truth police, according to the Director of Law and Policy at the Institute of Public Affairs.

“Shutting down debate is the only way the federal government and its fellow travellers can win debate it seems,” Mr Storey continued.

“The AEC should have no role in influencing debate, its role should be very clear, to ensure electoral rolls are accurate, elections are run efficiently and fairly, and votes are counted accurately and in a timely manner.”

However, an October survey consisting of 1,500 Aussies showed almost 90 per cent were in favour of the plan to outlaw misinformation in political advertising.

At the time the Australia Institute director, Richard Denniss, said: “While I have no doubt that all the votes cast in the referendum were valid, I also have no doubt that many of the arguments and claims that influenced those votes were not.

“Whether it is an election or a referendum, voters should go to the polls armed with the facts,” he said. “In Australia, it is perfectly legal to lie in a political ad – and it shouldn’t be.”

Mr Denniss implied that the only information voters are being swayed by is what is displayed in political campaign messaging.

Mr Storey argues that bringing in the change would only make the waters murkier, claiming that no government agency should have the power to declare the truth, and then slap down fines to those it disagrees with.

A 2023 October survey consisting of 1,500 Aussies showed almost 90 per cent were in favour of the plan to outlaw misinformation in political advertising.

The powers, if granted, would mean the Electoral Commission has the final say on what messages are appropriate for the public to view.

“No government agency should have the power to decide what is true or false, and to silence one side of a debate,” he said. “This is especially the case when political bias can easily be anticipated. The Voice referendum exposed what we already knew, the bureaucrats in Canberra lean to the left. They cannot be trusted to be neutral umpires in political debates.”

At the end of the day, the disagreement comes from fundamental differences in ideology, between those who believe the government is infallible and those who do not.

According to Mr Storey, the AEC should stick to what it knows: keeping the electoral rolls tidy.

In another related matter, there has also talk of empowering the Australian Communications and Media Authority to fine social media platforms for not censoring what they decide is misinformation.

“The reaction of the political class to the overwhelming rejection of the Voice was to blame misinformation. They do not think Australians can be trusted to vote correctly. This proposal is part of an insidious agenda which suggests that experts and the political class know best,” Mr Storey said.

“The trend is clear. The Albanese government is a government of censorship. Rather than try to convince voters with their ideas and arguments, they intend to silence opposition.”

Originally published as ‘Tantrum over Voice vote’: Anthony Albanese criticised over ‘brazen attack’ on free speech