Free Speech Under Threat From Both Sides

Lyle Shelton | April 23, 2024

Family First is concerned that Labor and apparent Liberal support for cracking down on so-called “misinformation and disinformation” on social media will lead to further restrictions on freedom of speech.

Free speech is one of the most precious human rights. A society is not free without it.

But it is increasingly under attack from politicians on both sides who support Australia’s flawed anti-discrimination laws which favour radical LGBTIQA+ political activists over the concerns of families.

Now left-leaning politicians are using the eSafety Commissioner as a way of censoring debate on line.

The horrific stabbings in Sydney last week are being weaponised by Australia’s controversial eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, who has a track record of seeking to censor online discussion of issues of concern to mainstream Australians.

While a case can be made for taking down the video of the horrific stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel by an alleged Islamist terrorist at his church last week, Inman Grant seems to have made no attempt to remove videos of Islamist hate preachers.

She is trying to have Elon Musk’s X platform remove images of a radical proponent of harmful child gender transitioning, Teddy Cook, dressed in kink (see below).

It is in the public’s interest to know that Cook, a leader in the LGBTIQA+ political movement and advocate of gender confused children being treated with what have now been deemed harmful treatments by the UK’s Cass Report, likes to dress in kink.

It was disappointing to see Opposition Leader Peter Dutton tell the media on Sudnay that he supported the Albanese Government’s crackdown on social media companies like X who he said were “above the law”.

“We’re happy to have a look at anything the government puts forward,” Dutton told the ABC.

Dutton was referring to the Government’s on-going attempts to introduce “misinformation/disinformation” laws which would turbo charge Inman Grant’s ability to decide what can and can’t be discussed on-line.

Communications minister, Michelle Rowland, said a new “misinformation/disinformation” bill giving greater powers to Inman Grant will be brought forward this year.

“Holding social media companies accountable for seriously harmful misinformation and disinformation on their platforms has never been more important,” she said.

“The Albanese government has been steadfast in its resolve to combat the scourge of mis- and disinformation online.

“The Coalition has flip-flopped on its position since 2022, putting politics first and running an irresponsible ‘bin the bill’ campaign, instead of working to hold big tech to account and keep Australians safe online. It’s hard to understand if the Coalition is actually serious about tackling this problem."