James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When Labor introduced the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Communications) Bill 2024 earlier this week, it represented the greatest attack on free and fair elections in my lifetime. Labor's bill will establish a penalty regime for people or entities who authorise electoral matter that the AEC deems inaccurate or misleading. It would mean there would be civil penalties for Australians just because some Labor appointed bureaucrat thinks what Australians are saying is not true. This is an ugly attack on freedom of speech. The coalition will oppose the introduction of measures that purport to adjudicate truth in political advertising. Freedom of speech and the contestability of ideas are necessary—indeed, compulsory—for a healthy liberal democracy. Distinguishing between truth, opinion and falseness in the context of an election is an inherently subjective process and one that is best left to voters. No country has improved its democracy by tasking government appointed bureaucrats with determining what is true, false or an opinion. No country has improved its democracy by censoring its democratic participants. This bill represents a terrible attack on free and fair elections in Australia. The gormless, faceless, soulless drones of the Labor Party are trying to take away the voice of free Australians. For the sake of Australia's democracy, we urge all members and senators to oppose this bill.