Suppressing Dissent: Australia's Draconian Bill and the Erosion of Individual Liberties Across the West (Video)

In a turn of events consistent with limits on freedom of speech across the Western world, Australia’s Federal Executive government (Albanese government) has proposed a bill that poses a direct threat to the cherished principles of free speech and individual liberties. This totalitarian and draconian legislation, named the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023, could transform Australia into a country reminiscent of communist China, stifling dissent and controlling information dissemination to enforce central government narratives.

It is described as a harmless-sounding bill to amend communication laws, but its true intentions are far from benign. The proposed legislation empowers the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), a government body, to unilaterally determine what is true or false online. Any content on social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, blogs, podcasts, and more, will be subject to scrutiny by the ACMA. Massive civil and criminal penalties can be imposed if deemed false or in violation of their codes of practice, including fines of up to half a million dollars.

This legislation will effectively silence every Australian citizen, eradicating their voice in the digital realm. It is supremely ironic that, while advocating for the voice of indigenous Australians to be heard, the Albanese Labour Government is on the brink of removing the voice of every Australian, regardless of their background or ethnicity. The bill grants excessive power to a handful of individuals within the ACMA, leaving the truth entirely at the mercy of whatever narrative is being enforced by the government at that time.

The government’s exemption from the regulations further exposes this bill’s dialectical (selectively enforced to increase the power of the state) nature. While ordinary citizens face the risk of being accused of spreading misinformation or disinformation, the government can freely disseminate its own narratives without fear of repercussions. This double standard was evident during the Covid pandemic when dissenting voices were silenced and vilified, despite their claims proving accurate in some instances. However, what appears to be a double standard is actually a consistent single standard, where the law and the culture will always be forced to the left. Decisions using legislation like this, not just in Australia but across the West and notably in Great Britain, the USA, and Canada, consistently fall to the left side of each issue—information on the mRNA vaccines being the most obvious recent example.

The bill’s ambiguous definition of “misinformation” and “disinformation” raises concerns about who gets to decide what is true or false. ACMA’s subjective judgment becomes the final arbiter of truth, and any claims contrary to their views can be labeled as such. The potential penalties also extend to religious viewpoints and opinions on sensitive topics like the transgender industry, further eroding the diversity of opinions and stifling important discussions so that only the narrative position will be allowable.

Moreover, the bill’s broad definition of harm encompasses not only traditional categories but also includes harm to the Australian environment. This provision is likely intended to curtail discussions on climate change, the role of carbon emissions, and the health of the Great Barrier Reef. The chilling effect of such regulations on scientific inquiry and public debate cannot be overstated.

The federal government’s push for this legislation aligns with a concerning trend of curtailing free speech. Social media platforms have already censored and banned dissenting voices critical of left-wing ideologies and narratives. By granting themselves additional powers, the government aims to enforce further control over online discourse, conveniently absolving themselves of responsibility and blaming the social media platforms for the resulting censorship.

This alarming situation demands the attention and action of Australian citizens who value the freedom to express their opinions. With only 35 days remaining, it is crucial to engage in public feedback and make voices heard. By expressing opposition to ACMA’s unchecked power and the suppression of free speech, Australians can stand up against this insidious encroachment on their fundamental rights.

This battle for preserving free speech is not just about individual liberties but also about safeguarding the essence of democracy itself. As British comedian Rowan Atkinson aptly put it, “The new intolerance desires to gag uncomfortable voices of dissent.” It is our collective responsibility to protect our freedoms and ensure that truth is not monopolized by those in power.

Australia must reject this dangerous bill and uphold its commitment to free speech, diversity of opinions, and democratic values. The fight against this encroachment on individual rights and freedoms starts now.

The United Kingdom is governed by the Office of Communications (Ofcom), an agency resembling Australia’s newly established ACMA, serving similar functions. The concerning parallel between these regulatory bodies raises questions about their impact on journalistic integrity. Eminent commentator Mark Steyn has highlighted the detrimental consequences Ofcom has had on the state of journalism in Great Britain, suggesting that it has played a role in killing the profession.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated that Canada finds itself in a “similar fight to WW2” following the enactment of his series of Liberal party bills that impose limitations on internet usage. This has resulted in a contentious situation with Google and Facebook, which have now taken a stand by refusing to allow Canadian news media links on their platforms.