An Assault on the Internet: US Professor Visits Australia to Warn Against Misinformation Bill

American author and professor, Michael Shellenberger, is in Australia’s capital, Canberra, standing against the Albanese Labor government’s Misinformation and Disinformation Bill.
One concern is the mere threat of fines could encourage social media companies to actively censor or block a wide array of content to avoid falling afoul of these rules.
The Bill, which has already passed the House of Representatives, has been widely criticised.
In a post to X, Shellenberger said the “censorship” law could be seen on an assault on Australia’s top ally, the United States.
In a separate post, the U.S. commentator accused Albanese of wanting the power to censor the entire internet, not just in Australia.
“Serious harm” as defined under this bill is broad, including content that causes harm to public health, harm to the integrity of an Australian electoral process, and the vilification of a group in society.
Further, it includes “imminent harm to the Australian economy, imminent damage to critical infrastructure, disruption of emergency services, and intentionally inflicted physical industry.”
She said she was no stranger to the problems around misinformation and disinformation, noting “false information” about herself was routinely published in the mainstream media and spread online.
“I have concerns that this bill could stifle First Nations voices that challenge systemic injustice—be it through advocacy for land rights, resistance to oppressive policies, or critique of colonial governments.”
Thorpe also raised concerns that neither the ACMA nor overseas tech companies were appropriate arbiters of truth.
“Ultimately, we need to establish a Digital Rights Act and a Human Rights Act in this country, and before we have those rights enshrined, we need to be very careful with any legislation like this,” she said.
United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet, One Nation Senators Pauline Hanson and Malcolm Roberts, and People First Party Senator Gerard Rennick are expected to vote against it.
The major centre-right Liberal Party has also spoken out strongly against the bill.
That leaves the Labor government relying on support from the Greens and remaining crossbenchers to get the Bill through the upper house.