Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton and The Nationals’ candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey oppose Labor’s new Misinformation Bill.

 Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has confirmed that the Coalition will strongly oppose Labor’s new Misinformation Bill, which he described as an attack on free speech.

When the Government released its first Misinformation Bill last year, more than 20,000 people put in submissions and comments opposing it, and so it was withdrawn in disgrace.

Mr Coulton said that with this latest attempt, Labor has again demonstrated a failure to respect the fundamental right of Australians to free speech.

“I agree that this is a Bill which has no place in Australia,” Mr Coulton said.

“Already I am hearing from constituents about the Labor Government’s planned laws.

“People in the Parkes electorate just don’t trust Mr Albanese or his Government to speak the truth on their censorship laws.

“We saw it during the Voice debate, when Labor labelled any view it didn’t like or agree with as ‘misinformation’.”

The Nationals’ candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey said this legislation is worrying and could have significant consequences.

“Misinformation is inherently subjective and the idea that a government regulator is going to tell Australians what they can and cannot say is concerning,” Mr Chaffey said.

“Australia is one of the greatest democracies and this bill could change that.”

Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said the Bill gives digital platforms an enormous financial incentive to censor statements made by everyday Australians.

“If the Government decides that they have not censored enough ‘misinformation’, they can face large fines,” Mr Coleman said.

“Digital platforms don’t care about the free speech of Australians – but they do care about their profits. So they will censor large amounts of material to avoid the risk of fines.  The provisions of the Bill are extremely broad and would capture many things said by Australians every day.

“Labor’s planned laws would also give the Communications Minister the powers to personally order Misinformation Investigations and Misinformation Hearings. This is wide open to abuse and an extraordinary power for a Minister to hold in a democracy.”

Mr Coulton said the Coalition will strongly oppose this dangerous legislation, and will always stand up to protect the free speech of Australians.