SEND A SUBMISSION TO THE SENATE: Reject the “Online Censorship” Bill Now!
George Robert Christensen started this petition to The Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications - 2024/09/19What if they silenced YOU for daring to speak your mind?
This is not a drill. The fight for free speech in Australia is happening right now, and the government is coming after your right to speak freely.
The "Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill" may sound like it's protecting you, but it’s not.
This Bill is about controlling what you say, what you share, and what you believe.
Your voice and mine will be censored, and the government will have the power to decide what’s true and what’s not.
On September 19, the Senate referred this Bill to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications for a public inquiry.
And let’s be honest—the first thing they should review is the name of the Bill.
Let’s call it what it is: the "Online Censorship" Bill. That’s exactly what it is.
If we don’t act now, free speech in Australia will be crushed.
Picture this: you post an opinion online that's critical of a government policy online.
Suddenly, it’s gone. And your social media account is gone too.
No explanation, no debate—just erased.
That’s the future we’re facing if this Bill passes.
We need YOU to act NOW. Join the thousands of CitizenGO members demanding that the Senate Committee protect our free speech.
Sign the petition on this page and tell the Senate to reject this dangerous Bill.
Why should you care?
This Bill gives the government unchecked power over what you say online.
Do you really want bureaucrats deciding what’s true and what isn’t?
That’s exactly what will happen. With this Bill, Big Tech will be ordered to enforce the government’s narrative, censoring anything deemed “misinformation.”
But who decides what’s misinformation? They do.
Unelected bureaucrats will have the power to control the flow of information.
This Bill isn’t just a threat to free speech—it’s a threat to your personal freedom.
Once the government can control speech, they control everything.
You won’t be able to challenge the system, question policies, or express opinions without fear of being silenced.
Think it won’t affect you? Think again.
If you challenge government policies, criticise election outcomes, or question health advice, your posts could be erased without warning.
This Bill is a direct attack on free speech, and we can’t afford to let it pass.
Sign the petition on this page NOW to tell the Senate Committee to reject this Orwellian Bill before it’s too late.
What’s at stake?
If we lose this fight, free speech in Australia is finished.
The government will have the power to silence anyone who speaks out.
Australians will be afraid to share their thoughts or express opinions, knowing that everything they say online could be erased.
Public debate will die, and we’ll be left with a one-sided narrative controlled by the government.
But if we win? It will be a turning point.
It will show that the people still have power, that we will not be silenced.
It will be a victory for free speech and democracy.
The government is moving fast, and they want this Bill passed before anyone realises what’s happening.
We need to act NOW. This is your chance to defend free speech in Australia and stop the Online Censorship Bill from becoming law.
Sign the petition on this page NOW and tell the Senate Committee to protect our fundamental right to free speech.
Together, we can stop this Bill and preserve our democracy.
23,764 have signed.
Let's get to 50,000
- 3 days ago
Debbie M. AUSTRALIA
- 4 days ago
Gayle S. AUSTRALIA
Recent signers
Submission re Combatting Misinformation & Disinformation Bill
To the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications,
I am signing this petition as a submission to the committee regarding the Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill. This Bill, as it stands, poses a serious threat to free speech in Australia, which is a cornerstone of our democracy.
The Importance of Free Speech
Free speech is the foundation upon which open debate and critical thinking thrive. In a democratic society, the right to challenge authority, express dissent, and share diverse viewpoints is essential. Curtailing this right—especially through vague legislation that hands over control of speech—risks silencing the very voices that make democracy robust.
The Risks of Overly Broad Powers
The Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill grants the government immense power to regulate what is considered “misinformation” or “disinformation.” The definitions provided in the Bill are broad and vague, putting legitimate dissent, criticism, and debate at risk of being silenced. Free speech is not meant to be controlled by government agencies or unelected bodies.
This is particularly alarming in the realm of political discourse, where questioning policies or challenging official narratives should not be suppressed. The Bill risks stifling Australians' ability to engage in meaningful debate, which is essential to holding power accountable.
A Threat to Democracy
Democracy thrives when its citizens are free to express opinions, question authority, and debate openly. This Bill, however, seeks to stifle those very freedoms. Once governments can dictate what can and cannot be said, we risk creating a one-sided society, where only approved narratives are allowed, and dissent is punished.
Rather than allowing the government or tech corporations to control speech, the solution to misinformation lies in critical thinking and open debate. If someone prints or publishes something false, others can call it out as false. Simple. The best remedy for misinformation is more speech, not censorship.
Request to Reject the Bill
For these reasons, I respectfully request that the Senate Standing Committee recommend that the Senate reject the Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill in its entirety. We must protect the right to free speech for all Australians, ensuring that all voices, even those that challenge the status quo, can be heard.
Free speech is the lifeblood of our democracy, and it must be safeguarded at all costs.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Yours sincerely,
<Your Name>