Misinformation Bill Info | Bin The Bill

Dear Senator,
I am writing to express my profound concerns regarding the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024. This legislation, while purporting to be aimed at protecting Australians from harm, poses significant risks to fundamental freedoms. The definitions of misinformation and disinformation within the bill are overly broad and vague, potentially allowing for the subjective interpretation of what constitutes contribution to harm. This ambiguity could lead to the suppression of legitimate discourse, particularly on controversial or politically charged topics, under the guise of combating misinformation.
Moreover, the bill grants the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) extensive powers to oversee and potentially censor content on digital platforms. This level of governmental oversight over online speech is alarming, as it may chill free expression and stifle debate. The penalties for non-compliance are severe, which could coerce digital platforms into over-censoring content to avoid hefty fines, thereby skewing public discourse towards a government-approved narrative. Such measures contradict the democratic ethos of free speech, where the marketplace of ideas should allow for the natural correction of falsehoods through debate.
It is disappointing the government only allowed one week for submissions into the revised bill. This is in no way transparent and if government can not be trusted to take our considerations seriously. How can they be trusted to be the arbiters of truth. I urge you to take this matter seriously. I can't imagine any politician who supports this bill would attract enough votes to hold a seat in parliament as we, Australians, are known for valuing freedom.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
[Name]
[Contact]

NSW

Senator Hollie Hughes (Liberal): senator.hughes@aph.gov.au
Senator Perin Davey (The Nationals): senator.davey@aph.gov.au
Senator Andrew Bragg (Liberal): senator.bragg@aph.gov.au
Senator Maria Kovacic (Liberal): senator.kovacic@aph.gov.au
Senator Ross Cadell (The Nationals): senator.cadell@aph.gov.au
Senator David Shoebridge (The Greens): senator.shoebridge@aph.gov.au
Senator Mehreen Faruqi (The Greens): senator.faruqi@aph.gov.au
Senator Deborah O'Neill (Labor): senator.oneill@aph.gov.au
Senator Jenny Mcallister (Labor): jennifer.mcallister@aph.gov.au
Senator Tim Ayres (Labor): senator.ayres@aph.gov.au
Senator Tony Sheldon (Labor): senator.sheldon@aph.gov.au
VIC

Senator James Paterson (Liberal): senator.paterson@aph.gov.au
Senator Sarah Henderson (Liberal): senator.henderson@aph.gov.au
Senator Bridget Mckenzie (The Nationals): senator.mckenzie@aph.gov.au
Senator Ralph Babet (United Australia Party): senator.babet@aph.gov.au
Senator David Van (Liberal): senator.van@aph.gov.au
Senator Jane Hume (Liberal): senator.hume@aph.gov.au
Senator Lidia Thorpe (The Greens): senator.thorpe@aph.gov.au
Senator Steph Hodgins-May (The Greens):
senator.hodgins-may@aph.gov.au
Senator Jana Stewart (Labor): senator.stewart@aph.gov.au
Senator Jess Walsh (Labor): senator.walsh@aph.gov.au
Senator Linda White (Labor): senator.white@aph.gov.au
Senator Raffaele Ciccone (Labor): senator.ciccone@aph.gov.au
Senator Lisa Darmanin (Labor):senator.darmanin@aph.gov.au
QLD

Senator James Mcgrath (LNP): senator.mcgrath@aph.gov.au
Senator Paul Scarr (LNP): senator.scarr@aph.gov.au
Senator Malcolm Roberts (One Nation): senator.roberts@aph.gov.au
Senator Pauline Hanson (One Nation): senator.hanson@aph.gov.au
Senator Gerard Rennick (LNP): senator.rennick@aph.gov.au
Senator Matt Canavan (LNP): senator.canavan@aph.gov.au
Senator Susan Mcdonald (LNP): senator.mcdonald@aph.gov.au
Senator Larissa Waters (The Greens): senator.waters@aph.gov.au
Senator Penny Allman-Payne (The Greens): senator.allman-payne@aph.gov.au
Senator Anthony Chisholm (Labor): senator.chisholm@aph.gov.au
Senator Murray Watt (Labor): senator.watt@aph.gov.au
Senator Nita Green (Labor): senator.green@aph.gov.au
WA

Senator Linda Reynolds (Liberal): senator.reynolds@aph.gov.au
Senator Michaelia Cash (Liberal): senator.cash@aph.gov.au
Senator Dean Smith (Liberal): senator.smith@aph.gov.au
Senator Matt O'Sullivan (Liberal): senator.matt.o'sullivan@aph.gov.au
Senator Slade Brockman (Liberal): senator.brockman@aph.gov.au
Senator Dorinda Cox (The Greens): senator.cox@aph.gov.au
Senator Jordon Steele-John (The Greens): senator.steele-john@aph.gov.au
Senator Fatima Payman (Labor): senator.payman@aph.gov.au
Senator Glenn Sterle (Labor): senator.sterle@aph.gov.au
Senator Louise Pratt (Labor): senator.pratt@aph.gov.au
Senator Patrick Dodson (Labor): senator.dodson@aph.gov.au
Senator Sue Lines (Labor): senator.lines@aph.gov.au
Senator Varun Ghosh (Labor):
senator.ghosh@aph.gov.au
SA

Senator Anne Ruston (Liberal): senator.ruston@aph.gov.au
Senator Simon Birmingham (Liberal): senator.birmingham@aph.gov.au
Senator Alex Antic (Liberal): senator.antic@aph.gov.au
Senator Andrew Mclachlan (Liberal): senator.mclachlan@aph.gov.au
Senator David Fawcett (Liberal): senator.fawcett@aph.gov.au
Senator Kerrynne Liddle (Liberal): senator.liddle@aph.gov.au
Senator Barbara Pocock (The Greens): senator.barbara.pocock@aph.gov.au
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (The Greens): senator.hanson-young@aph.gov.au
Senator Don Farrell (Labor): senator.farrell@aph.gov.au
Senator Karen Grogan (Labor): senator.grogan@aph.gov.au
Senator Marielle Smith (Labor): senator.marielle.smith@aph.gov.au
Senator Penny Wong (Labor): senator.wong@aph.gov.au
NT

Senator Jacinta Price (NT CLP): senator.nampijinpaprice@aph.gov.au
Senator Malarndirri Mccarthy (Labor): senator.mccarthy@aph.gov.au
TAS

Senator Jacqui Lambie (Jacqui Lambie Network): senator.lambie@aph.gov.au
Senator Tammy Tyrrell (Jacqui Lambie Network): senator.tyrrell@aph.gov.au
Senator Jonno Duniam (Liberal): senator.duniam@aph.gov.au
Senator Richard Colbeck (Liberal): senator.colbeck@aph.gov.au
Senator Claire Chandler (Liberal): senator.chandler@aph.gov.au
Senator Wendy Askew (Liberal): senator.askew@aph.gov.au
Senator Nick Mckim (The Greens): senator.mckim@aph.gov.au
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (The Greens): senator.whish-wilson@aph.gov.au
Senator Anne Urquhart (Labor): senator.urquhart@aph.gov.au
Senator Carol Brown (Labor): senator.carol.brown@aph.gov.au
Senator Catryna Bilyk (Labor): senator.bilyk@aph.gov.au
Senator Helen Polley (Labor): senator.polley@aph.gov.au
ACT

Senator David Pocock (Independent): senator.david.pocock@aph.gov.au
Senator Katy Gallagher (Labor): senator.katy.gallagher@aph.gov.au

Dear Senator,

I am writing to express my profound concerns regarding the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024. This legislation, while purporting to be aimed at protecting Australians from harm, poses significant risks to fundamental freedoms. The definitions of misinformation and disinformation within the bill are overly broad and vague, potentially allowing for the subjective interpretation of what constitutes contribution to harm. This ambiguity could lead to the suppression of legitimate discourse, particularly on controversial or politically charged topics, under the guise of combating misinformation.

Moreover, the bill grants the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) extensive powers to oversee and potentially censor content on digital platforms. This level of governmental oversight over online speech is alarming, as it may chill free expression and stifle debate. The penalties for non-compliance are severe, which could

coerce digital platforms into over-censoring content to avoid hefty fines, thereby skewing public discourse towards a government-approved narrative. Such measures contradict the democratic ethos of free speech, where the marketplace of ideas should allow for the natural correction of falsehoods through debate.

It is disappointing the government only allowed one week for submissions into the revised bill. This is in no way transparent and if government can not be trusted to take our considerations seriously. How can they be trusted to be the arbiters of truth. I urge you to take this matter seriously. I can't imagine any politician who supports this bill would attract enough votes to hold a seat in parliament as we, Australians, are known for valuing freedom.

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.

[Name

Contact]

Dear Senator,

I'm writing in relation to the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023.

- Lead with a compliment. Try to be positive.

- include a sentence that you have concerns

- explain how you could not/never vote for someone who supported the bill.

Possible reasons (choose one or more and personalise)

* Freedom of speech is important/a fundamental human right/something that should not be restricted

*Who defines what is misinformation and disinformation

*Definitions are not clear