Four Senators are crucial swing votes on the dangerous Misinformation Bill which threatens free speech and lays the groundwork for a possible Australian ‘digital prison’.

The four are: Jacquie Lambie (Tas), Lidia Thorpe (Vic), Fatima Payman (WA) and David Van (Vic)

As Parliament resumes on November 18, we must tell these four Senators to stop this bill. Clause 3 of the Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill alarmingly broadens Schedule 9 of the Broadcasting Services Act to extend to ‘acts, omissions, matters, and things done’ outside Australia.

It compels digital platforms to censor legitimate debate, even opinions expressed by overseas users, experts or politicians that can be viewed by “end-users in Australia”, according to the explanatory memorandum.

This Bill will give the government-control ACMA unprecedented power to oversee and control what Australian and overseas social media users can communicate online across borders.

The Bill’s broad definition of “misinformation”, includes mere “opinions” that fact checkers claim are “misleading” and may cause “serious harm” to elections (like the 2025 national election), the economy, public health, and vilification of some group identities.

Ultimately, the Misinformation Bill lays the groundwork for a possible national ‘digital prison’ on information and citizen journalism.

The Bill’s objectives would certainly be met if all Australian social media users were subjected to a country-of-origin ID check, like the one proposed by Australian Labor’s ‘age-assurance’ social media ban.

If all Australians are compelled verify their ID to use social media, no Australian would be able to circumvent such an eventual quasi-digital prison or geo-block of censored content that is intended by the Misinformation Bill.

We must act now to protect the freedoms of Australians and those overseas to speak freely and engage in important discussions across borders without government interference.

Finally, consider what this bill means for the rule of law across the world.

If the Australian government can impose a censorship regime on what Australians may view, what’s to stop other countries from doing the same to Australians?

Please send a quick message now to Senators Lambie, Thorpe, Payman and Van calling on them to oppose this dangerous legislation.