Lies, lies and the damn Misinformation Bill

Every day, the elites and activists – not to mention the bureaucrats – are falsely crying ‘fire’.

They’re stoking fear about online safety risks you cannot handle, “unprecedented” weather events, the dangers of nuclear power, and pushing the line that renewables are the “cheapest and most reliable form of energy”.

Some of these fearmongers may truly believe what they say.

Others might later realise they were wrong.

And some don’t believe their statements at all but repeat them out of self-interest. 

That’s free speech.

In our liberal democracy, freedom of expression is everything. It’s what allows the truth to come to light.

Take, for example, the head of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) admitting in a Senate inquiry this week that he had no idea if renewables would ever be the cheapest electricity option for Australian consumers.

This is a stunning revelation, given that “cheapest and most reliable form of energy” has been the Albanese Government’s go-to line since their election.

Australians who argue otherwise, pointing to rising bills and costs, are routinely dismissed by the same elites, activists, and bureaucrats as spreading “misinformation” and “disinformation”.

These two words appear in nearly every Albanese Government press release – a lazy response to inconvenient facts, and a malicious attempt to malign alternative views.

Now, Labor, the Greens, and the Teals want to shut down free speech under the guise of “safeguarding Australians”.

They want power to control the narrative and stop the “lies” because clearly every “right thinking” Australian lacks the ability to do this. 

Their misinformation bill will never work. Why?

First, elites, activists, and bureaucrats cannot in any way be trusted to wield this power responsibly. Like anyone, they can be misguided, self-serving, or simply wrong.

If passed, the Misinformation Bill would give them the authority to punish and silence dissent, ensuring the elites and activists are always “right”.

Second, this bill would stifle speech. People will self-censor to protect their reputation, their family, and their standing in the community. People are already afraid to speak out. Fear should never be allowed to hollow out our democracy.

Third, hearing false statements helps us discover the truth. We learn what others think and why. For example, the truth about the rising cost of electricity due to destructive and costly renewable projects is becoming clearer. Truth forms the strongest base for making trustworthy decisions that serve our national interests.

Lastly, suppressing open discussion will only push conversations underground into encrypted media or other covert communication channels. Shutting down Facebook accounts or censoring posts won’t stop conversations. Many of my friend’s social media accounts, including my own, have already been shut down under this government. Remember as the government’s grip becomes tighter, the more communities and people will slip away. Social cohesion degenerates into a façade.

Free speech is a pathway to truth. And that matters.

It is the foundation for trust, and without trust, our democracy is at risk. 

Australians know the Albanese Government’s Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill is for 100 per cent censorship and zero trust, and they will stand against it.

Sandra Bourke
ADVANCE Spokeswoman