A former Labor senator who sensationally quit the party is set to deliver a further blow to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by voting against his misinformation bill.
Senator Fatima Payman’s decision to reject the proposed laws to police social media platforms for ‘mis and disinformation’ leaves the fate of the controversial legislation in the balance with the numbers moving against it in the Upper House.
Fellow crossbench senators David Pocock, Tammy Tyrell and Jacqui Lambie have announced they won’t back the laws with the Coalition also against the bill, meaning the government will struggle to get the measures past the Senate.
In declaring her opposition, West Australian Senator Payman, who quit Labor after crossing the floor in June to support a Greens motion on Palestine, said the misinformation bill threatened fundamental democratic rights.
‘Freedom of speech is a pillar of our democracy and this bill threatens that,’ Ms Payman said in a video posted on her social media accounts
‘Of course misinformation and disinformation are a problem but this bill isn’t the answer.
‘That’s why I will vote against this Bill.’
Ms Payman, who has formed her own party Australia’s Voice since leaving the ranks of Labor, said the bill endangered freedoms.
Senator Fatima Payman’s decision to reject the proposed laws to police social media platforms for ‘mis and disinformation’ leaves the fate of the controversial legislation in the balance
‘The powers it grants could lead to receivership with the government deciding what does and doesn’t count as the truth, that’s not the Australia I believe in,’ she said.
‘I will always stand up for our freedoms and an Australia where all voices can be heard.’
Under Labor’s proposed laws, which passed the Lower House this week, social media companies face harsh penalties from beefed up watchdog the Australian Communications and Media Authority if it deems the platforms allow posts that interfere with elections or undermine public health advice.
Posts that vilify people based on race, religion or gender identity could also incur harsh fines of up to 5 per cent of a platform’s global revenue.
Communications minister Michelle Rowland this week told The Sydney Institute false information on social media platforms was a problem.
‘You can’t be serious about online safety or democracy if your position on harmful misinformation and disinformation is to tolerate inaction,’ she said.
The government argues the Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 only requires social media companies to keep records on misinformation and disinformation, rather than giving ACMA direct power to remove online content.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s misinformation bill is quickly losing supporters
‘The Parliament now has an opportunity to lift the hood on big tech, and bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to the actions of digital platforms when it comes to seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation online,’ Ms Rowland said.
‘These reforms would require digital platforms to have systems and processes in place for dealing with seriously harmful information that is false, misleading or deceptive.’
However, shadow communications minister David Coleman argued the laws are too subjective and will destroy free speech.
‘This is one of the worst bills put forward by an Australian government,’ he said.
‘It would have a chilling effect on free speech. It would mean that ultimately government regulators would decide what can be said and what can’t be said.
‘It is completely unacceptable in a democracy. It has no place in this country and that’s why the Coalition and will continue to oppose this legislation.’
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