The proposed Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 raises serious concerns about freedom of speech in Australia.

Chris Merritt, vice-president of the Rule of Law Institute of Australia, and the Australian Christian Lobby’s CEO Michele Pearse are among many prominent Australians speaking out against the bill.

Merritt warns that the bill's vague language would allow the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to become an arbiter of truth, enabling it to punish statements deemed "misleading" or "deceptive" based on broad and subjective criteria. This opens the door to arbitrary government enforcement, where officials decide what constitutes harmful misinformation.

Pearse echoes these concerns, emphasizing the potential threat freedom of expression.

Even more alarming, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland would have near-unchecked power to expand the bill’s reach and exempt certain businesses, bypassing parliamentary oversight.

This concentration of authority poses a grave risk to democratic freedoms.

Merritt points out that history teaches us the danger of silencing dissent.

Imagine if Winston Churchill's warnings about Nazi Germany had been suppressed as “misinformation,” he warns.

No government should have the power to control speech in this way.

Family First urges all members and supporters to take immediate action.

The government has set a short deadline for public submissions, which closes on Monday September 30.

You can quickly and easily lodge your objection to this dangerous bill using the Australian Christian Lobby's submission tool here.

Stand up for freedom of speech before it's too late!