The Australian government is the nation’s biggest spender on Facebook ads despite pushing misinformation laws that would see social media companies fined over apparently harmful opinions.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government continues to be a major client of Facebook, despite Labor’s Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 proposing fines up to 5 per cent of global revenue.
Under Labor’s proposed laws, social media companies face stiff penalties if the Australian Communications and Media Authority has a problem with posts that interfere with elections or public health advice, or vilify groups of people based on race, religion or gender identity.
Despite its misgivings about ‘serious harms’ on social media, the federal government was the biggest spender on Facebook ads in the 90 days to November 11.
The Australian government topped the list spending $388,711 on 92 Facebook advertisements, working out at $4,225 per ad on average.
The Federal Department of Health and Ageing was also on the list in ninth place with $229,480 spent on 90 Facebook spots.
It was far from the only big Commonwealth spender – the Department of Social Services was in 29th place outlaying $72,349 on 67 Facebook ads.
Beyond the past three months, the Australian government has historically been a big spender on Facebook ads over four years, going back to August 2020.
The Australian government is the nation’s biggest spender on Facebook ads despite pushing misinformation laws that would see social media companies fined over harmful posts (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pictured)
The Australian Electoral Commission was fifth on the list, spending $2,354,346 on 276 ads, despite the government having concerns about social media posts having the potential to bring ‘harm to the operation or integrity of an electoral or referendum process in Australia’.
After Greenpeace, the Australian Labor Party was the second biggest spender on Facebook ads over four years, splurging $3,079,270 on 5,513 spots.
The Yes23 campaign for the Aboriginal Voice was seventh on the list, spending $2,310,770 on 10,222 ads, only to lose the October 2023 referendum in a landslide with 60 per cent of Australians voting No.
Yes campaigner Megan Davis had accused the No side of misinformation and disinformation.
The Australian government over a four-year period was in 12th place, based on disclaimers, spending $1,507,764 on 352 ads.
The Department of Social Services, in 13th place, spent $1,478,074 on 390 ads.
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.
Despite its misgivings about ‘serious harms’ on social media, the federal government was the biggest spender on Facebook ads in 90 days to November 11 (pictured, vaccine protesters)
Labor’s Communications Minister Michelle Rowland this week told The Sydney Institute false information on social media platforms was a problem
The government argues its bill only requires social media companies to keep records on misinformation and disinformation, rather than giving ACMA the direct power to have online content removed.
‘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.’
Shadow communications minister David Coleman is opposed, with the Opposition arguing Labor’s misinformation and disinformation bill is 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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