
Victories
Our Final Chance to Stop the Misinformation Bill!
Dear Senators Lambie, Tyrrell, Van, Pocock, Thorpe, and Payman,
We, the undersigned, respectfully appeal to your commitment to transparency, accountability, and fairness in Australia. As crossbench Senators, you hold a unique position to protect the rights of Australians and ensure that legislation serves the best interests of all. We are writing to express our concerns about the Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill, which we believe may have unintended consequences for free speech and open dialogue in our country.
While we acknowledge the importance of addressing harmful misinformation, we believe that this bill grants excessive power over public discourse and risks silencing legitimate voices. A free, open, and transparent exchange of ideas is essential to a healthy democracy, and we are concerned that this bill could unintentionally compromise that foundation.
As you each hold values and priorities that emphasize fairness, integrity, and accountability, we know that you understand the importance of maintaining a society where diverse voices are heard. Here’s why we believe that this bill, in its current form, poses significant concerns:
Who Decides What’s “True”? History has shown that opinions once labeled as “misinformation” can later prove valid or beneficial. Allowing government authorities to determine what is “true” or “false” places an extraordinary power in their hands. This could restrict fair debate and prevent the public from challenging government policies, thus limiting the accountability and transparency we all value in our democratic society.
Risk to Independent and Diverse Voices: With this bill, independent journalists, commentators, and everyday Australians may feel pressured to self-censor, fearing that their perspectives could be labeled as “misinformation.” A broad interpretation of the bill could unintentionally limit the diverse range of viewpoints that make Australia’s media landscape so vibrant. We believe that public discourse benefits when all Australians, including those with dissenting opinions, can participate without fear of censorship.
Expanded Role of Big Tech in Policing Speech: The bill would require technology companies to regulate content deemed “misinformation,” effectively outsourcing censorship to corporations. This risks creating a heavily moderated environment where only certain perspectives can be shared, and where ordinary Australians may feel that their right to expression is curtailed. This could further contribute to public distrust in both government and corporate platforms.
In supporting transparency, accountability, and a fair society, we are certain that you will appreciate the need for a cautious and balanced approach to combating misinformation. Rather than risking unintended consequences by placing restrictions on speech, we urge Parliament to consider alternative solutions that support media literacy, community engagement, and public trust in information sources, without compromising our democratic values.
Senators, as independent voices in Parliament, you represent the people of Australia who value a free and open society. We believe that by voting to oppose this bill, you can help protect the fundamental right to free speech while encouraging a more constructive approach to tackling misinformation. We hope that you will listen to the voices of Australians who cherish their freedom to speak openly and to question, critique, and contribute to public dialogue.
Thank you for considering this important issue and for your continued dedication to serving the people of Australia.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
FIGHT THE "ONLINE CENSORSHIP" BILL... Demand that Peter Dutton and the Libs & Nats oppose the Combatting Misinfo & Disinfo Bill
Dear Mr Dutton, Mr Littleproud, and members of the Liberal National Coalition Shadow Cabinet,
We respectfully urge you to oppose the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill. This bill, while intended to combat harmful information, poses significant risks to our democratic principles and the fundamental rights of Australians.
The bill grants the government excessive control over free speech by enabling authorities to dictate what information is considered “true” or “false.” This concentration of power, especially when paired with vague definitions of “misinformation” and “disinformation,” opens the door to overreach and potential abuse. In particular, the broad scope of these terms may lead to the stifling of legitimate debate and the censorship of critical opinions, especially in matters of public interest such as elections, policy discussions, and government accountability.
Moreover, the bill empowers Big Tech platforms to act as arbiters of truth, enforcing government-mandated censorship under the threat of severe penalties. This outsourcing of censorship not only threatens freedom of expression but also weakens public trust in digital platforms as open spaces for dialogue. The potential for political dissent to be erased, whether through deliberate government action or over-cautious corporate behavior, is deeply concerning.
At its core, this legislation undermines our democratic tradition of free and open debate. The right to question, challenge, and speak out against authority is a pillar of Australian democracy. When that right is threatened, so too is our ability to hold those in power accountable and ensure that all voices, regardless of viewpoint, can be heard.
We respectfully ask you to lead the opposition to this bill. The Liberal National Coalition has always been a strong voice for freedom and individual rights. We call on you to rally your members in Parliament and the Senate to vote against this bill. In doing so, you will be defending the core values of free speech, democracy, and civil liberties that Australians hold dear.
Let us ensure that this legislation does not pass into law and that our right to free speech is preserved for future generations. We believe that democracy thrives when all Australians can express their opinions freely, without fear of censorship or government interference.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
<Your Name>
Hands Off Homeschooling
Dear Minister,
We, the undersigned, implore you to abandon any move to regulate homeschooling in Queensland. Our right to educate our children according to our values is sacrosanct.
Homeschooling has soared by 200% in the Sunshine State since the pandemic began, with over 10,000 Queensland families now embracing this approach. It's a testament to the adaptability and resilience of Queenslanders. These families have chosen homeschooling for the individualised learning it provides. Every child is unique, and a one-size-fits-all education system cannot cater to their individual needs.
Yet, with the current review of the Education Act, there are grave concerns that the Queensland government seeks to impose its own curriculum on homeschool families. This would not only infringe on parental rights but also stifle the innovative, flexible nature of homeschooling.
Homeschooled students have been successful academically, socially and emotionally without government intervention. This success is a testament to the power of freedom in education.
We urge you not to follow the path of overregulation. It would unleash a bureaucratic nightmare, squander resources, and stifle our innovative spirit. And that ultimately hurts homeschooled children.
Regulating homeschooling would extinguish the flame of educational innovation. It would replace a vibrant, adaptable system with a barren landscape devoid of creativity and exploration.
Moreover, government regulation threatens to erase our cultural and religious identity. Homeschooling allows us to pass on our rich heritage to our children.
We are now at a crossroads. You can either uphold freedom of education or bring it under government control. The choice you make will determine the future for our children.
Please, uphold the freedom to homeschool in Queensland without any more government regulation or interference.
Kind regards,
Help a Christian Family Under Fire from Radical LGBTIQ Activists!
To the Manager:
A Wynnum family is being targeted by radical LGBTIQ activists for merely expressing their concerns.
On Sunday, 26 November, this family's home will be picketed by these activists. A FAMILY HOME!
And I'm sorry to tell you, but your business is indirectly connected to this attempt at intimidation.
The protest is being organised by someone connected to the Wynnum Fringe group and Bay Pride event, which your business is sponsoring.
Given this connection, I have to ask: Does your business support mob reprisals outside people's homes? Or do you believe in an Australia where everyone can peacefully express their views without fear of intimidation?
If it's the latter then you can actually do something about this situation. Your business is a major sponsor of the Bay Pride event. As such, you can tell the Wynnum Fringe group that you expect that they not only publicly condemn this abhorrent protest but that they also call on attendees to their Bay Pride event to not go anywhere near this family's home.
If the Wynnum Fringe group refuses to take action against this protest, I'll expect that your business will withdraw its sponsorship of the Bay Pride event, otherwise it might look like it is supporting intimidation and mob reprisals. After all, you now know about the situation, and your business' reputation is on the line given it's connection to this protest outside a family home.
We'll be watching closely to see whether your business, and the Wynnum Fringe group do the right thing.
Don't subsidise abortions with our taxes!
Dear Prime Minister,
I am writing to encourage you to maintain your opposition to calls to have the Australian Government subsdise abortions with taxpayers' dollars.
The public health budget is already strained without the added burden of subsidising abortions. Our healthcare system is struggling to meet the demands of an ageing population, chronic disease, and mental health issues. Allocating funding to subsidise abortions will divert resources from these critical areas.
Also, it is unethical to force taxpayers to subsidise a controversial procedure like abortion, particularly when many believe it to be morally wrong. Freedom of conscience is a fundamental value in a democratic society. It is unfair to compel individuals to financially support a procedure they fundamentally disagree with.
Finally, the subsidisation of abortions will, without a doubt, lead to more abortions, which means the loss of more unborn Australian children.
We ask you, Prime Minister, to stand firm against the notion of the Australian Government subsidising abortions.
Yours sincerely,
Hands Off Online Free Speech!
To the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts:
l object to the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023.
The proposed bill undermines freedom of speech by attempting to ‘balance’ that fundamental right with the notion of combating so-called ‘misinformation’. Fundamental rights cannot be balanced against anything, rather they are undermined.
Determining what qualifies as so-called ‘misinformation’ is subjective and entrusting a government agency to decide truthfulness raises concerns.
So-called ‘misinformation’, unless it incites violence, does not cause direct harm, and defining harm based on subjective criteria is problematic.
The bill grants excessive control to authorities and will lead to censorship.
Alternative approaches should be explored that do not infringe upon freedom of speech.