CANBERRA, Australia — The Australian government has decided to halt its efforts to pass legislation that would have required social media platforms to actively combat misinformation. The bill faced strong opposition across the political spectrum and was ultimately deemed unfeasible by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland.
Rowland publicly acknowledged the bill’s defeat, citing a lack of support from other parties and key senators. “Based on public statements and engagements with senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate,” she stated.
The proposed legislation was particularly contentious because it would have granted the Australian Communications Media Authority the power to enforce regulations that could mandate the removal of certain types of speech, including content from foreign entities that could undermine Australian democracy or misinformation about public health measures such as vaccinations.
Rowland defended the intent behind the bill, emphasizing its role in combatting “seriously harmful content” on digital platforms while protecting freedom of speech. However, the opposition criticized the government’s approach as an overreach. Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash accused the government of attempting to censor online speech. “Did you ever think that in your lifetime or in my lifetime an Australian government would seek to censor the Australian people?” Cash remarked during an interview on Sky News.
Senator Michaelia Cash also differentiated the Coalition’s past proposals from the current bill, highlighting a more collaborative approach with social media companies to enhance fact-checking procedures during their term in government.
Adding to the criticism, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young described the government’s effort on the misinformation bill as poorly executed and explained. “It was with all good intent, this policy, but badly and poorly explained and implemented. The practical implementation was just not there,” she said.
Meanwhile, the government is scaling back on other controversial bills as it manages its legislative agenda during the limited time left in the current session. According to government sources, a contentious bill intended to curb gambling advertising is also unlikely to advance this week. While it has not been officially scrapped, the delay comes amidst calls from several Labor backbenchers for a more decisive ban on gambling ads, echoing recommendations by the late Labor MP Peta Murphy.
Senator Hanson-Young expressed frustration over the government’s priorities and its perceived reluctance to confront powerful interests in the gambling, sports, and media sectors. “Talk about priorities… rather than doing the hard work, rather than standing up to the vested interests of the big gambling companies and the big sporting codes and the big media companies, Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are squibbing it,” she criticized.
With only one week left to pass legislation this year, which could also be the final sitting week before an election next year, the government faces significant pressure to prioritize its legislative agenda effectively.
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