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

Michael Shellenberger in Gent, Belgium, on Feb. 23, 2019. James Arthur Gekiere/AFP via Getty Images

American author and professor, Michael Shellenberger, is in Australia’s capital, Canberra, standing against the Albanese Labor government’s Misinformation and Disinformation Bill.

The legislation (pdf) provides the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with the power to fine social media companies for “misinformation and disinformation” on their platform.

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.

“Australia belongs to its people and it is up to them and their representatives to decide whether they want to remain a liberal democratic nation or instantaneously become a totalitarian one,” he said in a post to X.

“But it is the duty of friends of Australia to bluntly warn that [Prime Minister Anthony] Albanese is pushing a censorship law that would not only end free speech for Australians but also be viewed as a hostile assault on the free Internet worldwide by people in other nations, including in the U.S., its best ally,” Shellenberger wrote.

“I am confident that Australia’s senators will see the wisdom both in protecting freedom of speech, and in starting its relationship with the in-coming Trump administration on the right foot,” he said.

In a separate post, the U.S. commentator accused Albanese of wanting the power to censor the entire internet, not just in Australia.

“And so as long as you continue with your obnoxious censorship crusade, no nation, certainly not the U.S., will want you anywhere near the table,” he said.

Recently, Albanese indicated he would still push ahead with his misinformation bill even if Trump does not support it.

“We decide the policies that Australia puts forward as a sovereign nation,” he said at a press conference.

What Does the Bill Cover?

The bill defines misinformation and disinformation as “content that contains information that is reasonably verifiable as false, misleading or deceptive.”

“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.”

It also covers the Australian economy, including harm to public confidence in the banking system or financial markets.

Senator Lidia Thorpe Will Oppose the Bill

Joining a growing group of independent senators opposing the Bill, Lidia Thorpe said she would vote against it in its current form, “unless major changes are made.”

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.

“The broad and vague definitions in this legislation allow too much scope for suppression of dissenting voices. We have to ensure that political dissent, protest and Truth-Telling are not suppressed or censored,” she said on Nov. 19.

“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.

Senators Fatima Payman, Jacqui Lambie, Tammy Tyrrell, and David Pocock say they will oppose the bill.

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.

Back in 2023, the Labor government delayed introduction of the legislation after receiving 23,000 submissions opposing the draft bill.