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Misinformation Bill, Australia (plus Gift)
Created on: 2024-11-15
While the Western world was largely distracted by elections in the USA, the Australian government quietly advanced its controversial misinformation bill. If passed, this would have global ramifications on freedom of expression.
On Nov. 7th, the "Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024" was passed by the Australian House of Representatives, with 73 Labor and 6 independent MPs voting in its favour. (Source.)
The final barrier to it becoming law is when it is voted on in the Senate, which could be as soon as Monday 18th Nov.
If it passes, it would introduce "fines, penalties, and even potential imprisonment for those who spread what the government defines as ‘misinformation’ or ‘disinformation’. . . " (Source.)
The bill is explicitly "intended to include opinions, claims, commentary and invective." (Source.)
Further, as explained by a former member of the Australian House of Representatives, the bill's reach is extended "to regulate foreign platforms and posts by foreigners to those platforms, allowing unelected bureaucrats to censor American citizens’ constitutionally protected speech." (Source.)
How could this be so? I'm not quite sure, but my interpretation is that global platforms would have had to censor information and commentary made available to Australia. The temptation would be there for platforms to apply the same level of censorship globally, to simplify their systems. Given how willing Fakebook [sic], LinkedIn, and other platforms were to censor during covid, it is unlikely they'd go out of their way to preserve freer speech outside of Australia.
The risks of this becoming law are obvious to anyone with a pulse. When governments and courts presume to hand down the truth over the rest of society, including outspoken scientists and every journalist and blogger who quotes them, the unpopular truth can easily be suppressed.
How many lies were we told during covid? Readers will be aware of the following, and more, but it serves to remind ourselves of the wall-to-wall lies we were told:
- LIE: Lockdowns were only going to be for three weeks. TRUTH: Documents that later came to light revealed that this was never the plan, it had always been intended to maintain lockdowns until a vaccine was rolled out.
- LIE: Lockdowns were necessary and beneficial. TRUTH: Sweden and other countries that refused to lock down showed that this was unnecessary. The Great Barrington Declaration showed another solution to the problem, in focused protection.
- LIE: There was no cure for covid. TRUTH: Numerous effective treatments, including hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, even high doses of vitamins were shown to be effective in reducing severity and mortality early on in the pandemic.
LIE: The "vaccines" were 100% effective and would prevent transmission: TRUTH: As non-sterilising "vaccines", they could never have prevented transmission, and this was shown in orthodox papers during the pandemic.
As to 100% effective - as many predicted, this number came tumbling down. Now, failures are so common, all we need do is ask our double vaccinated and boosted relatives if any have had covid since "just two shots".
- LIE: In 2021, we were in a "pandemic of the unvaccinated". TRUTH: False and misleading statistics were used to whip up fear to increase market penetration of the "vaccines".
- And the big one: LIE: The "vaccines" were safe. TRUTH: Various governments' own data, e.g. on VAERS, showed they were excessively dangerous as early as January 2021. A large support group for the vaccine injured was even shut down by Fakebook, while the BBC cheered, to preserve the lie.
Again, these are just a few of the lies our governments told us, contradiction of which was forbidden on many social media platforms, some of which still have a policy of censorship around these issues.
Were this "misinformation" bill to pass, we would see the nightmare of covid restrictions, lies, hysteria, censorship, and pressure to take novel and (at the time of the rollout) highly uncertain biologics (now known to have been extremely dangerous) - all of that would be sure to be repeated, with extra legal teeth to protect falsehoods.
As I say, the bill passed a 2nd reading in the House of Representatives last week, and is due to be voted on in the Senate very soon, perhaps as early as November 18th.
However, just today, the news is in that the bill is likely to be defeated. As reported by Dystopian Down Under:
"[Several independent MPs'] offices said they had been inundated with calls and emails expressing concerns about the bill - some said they had been contacted by thousands of people. Well done to everyone who called, emailed, or visited a senator in person.
"The Coalition is opposing the bill, so even if the Greens vote with the Labor Government, Labor can’t get the bill across the line without these key crossbench votes."
Fantastic news! But as that writer said, nothing is certain until the votes have been cast.
If you are in Australia and have not already done so, please consider contacting your representative to ensure your voice is heard. And much appreciation to everyone who has already done so.
As I say, it's not yet certain, but it looks like victory will be snatched from the jaws of tyranny. It is important to remember all such victories.