David Van (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Having been a member of the Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, I can tell the Senate that the damage that foreign interference is doing and can do to Australian society is vast, scary and something we should all be aware of, particularly in the context of the increased protests, agitation and antisemitism surrounding the current conflict in Gaza. In my own home town, I have seen the heartbreaking division of our community and the breakdown of social cohesion, with families living in fear and children refraining from speaking their mother tongue to avoid hatred. People are being set upon and businesses razed to the ground. Where is this hatred coming from? This is not Australia. Who is stoking the flames of discord? While we hold the democratic right to voice our opinions, this should never be used to make others feel unsafe, endanger the harmony we all hold dear or destroy our social cohesion. We must acknowledge the role foreign interference has exacerbating such disruptions. In today's digital age, foreign actors exploit new avenues to manipulate public opinion and sow discord, particularly through social media platforms. This poses a significant threat to our nation's unity and wellbeing. The Department of Home Affairs must diligently identify sources, safeguard our values and protect our communities so that we can remain living in harmony with one another as Australians.