Dear Senators,

I write with a deep sense of urgency, sadness, and unwavering opposition to the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (the MaD Bill).

You may not share my stance on free speech, but as an Australian patriot, deeply in love with this country and all it stands for, I am compelled – driven by every fibre of my being – to stand up and fight for these freedoms, something I hope each one of you can respect and follow.

I urge the Senate to stand with freedom and reject this bill when it is next in listed in Parliament, which, while presented as a shield against misinformation, strikes at the heart of our democratic foundations, our right to free speech, and our society’s commitment to truth and transparency.

In Australia, free speech is more than an implied right enshrined in law; it is a cornerstone of our values and a beacon of liberty guiding generations. It is this freedom – the ability to think, to question, to speak – that fuels our progress in science, society, and the economy. When government steps in to control information under the guise of protection, it does more than silence dissent; it stifles the engine of innovation and accountability that drives a free and just society. Government is not the parent of citizens. It should not tell anyone what truth is as it is easily distilled and manipulated through propaganda.

This bill aims to filter and control what Australians can read, discuss, and believe. Such control is antithetical to a free nation. It is not the role of government to decide what we may think or debate. To assume that authority is to treat Australians as subjects to be guided rather than citizens to be respected. A democracy thrives because its people can freely question and hold authority accountable. This trust in the people has been the bedrock of every open society and is the basis for every meaningful reform throughout history.

The Danger of Silence and Suppression

From the scientific breakthroughs that defied established beliefs to economic insights that corrected failing systems, dissent has been the birthplace of progress. History shows us that when voices are suppressed, societies do not find truth – they descend into dogma. The Taliban destroyed books that contradicted its ideology; the Soviet regime silenced anyone challenging the party line; the Nazi Ministry of Propaganda, officially called the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, controlled media, arts, and information to manipulate public opinion, enforce ideology, and suppress dissent.

Supporting this bill risks ushering in suppression under a new guise – a government imposing a single narrative and censoring everything else, just with a different excuse. History shows that each such regime found its own reason to stifle the truth. Though a powerful comparator, few democratic governments have attempted such control over their societies, and fewer still have succeeded or endured. This is your risk!

In our transparent democracy, questioning is not just a right; it is a duty, particularly on matters affecting public welfare. A society where truths are dictated by a select few becomes a society of obedience, not progress. This bill risks pushing us toward that future, creating a new ‘Star Chamber’ bureaucracy where regulatory bodies wield unchecked power to judge, censor, and penalise dissent. The echoes of authoritarian control cannot be ignored, especially when they threaten to stifle our very pursuit of truth.

Rising Costs and Erosion of Trust

This ‘Star Chamber’ established by King Henry VII in 1487 invited secrecy, risks eroding due process, and paves the way for arbitrary actions without true judicial oversight. Taxpayers will bear the financial burden of this bill, while participants facing high legal expenses may be deterred from challenging arbitrary unjust decisions due to the closed Caesarean loop. The punitive costs in Australia’s legal system make real opposition nearly impossible, and this legislation compounds that injustice.

You will not only silence, control, and censor critical public messaging, but you will deny citizens the capacity to listen, understand, and learn.

A Call to Standfor Australian Values

With this letter, I enclose my formal submission dated September 30, 2024, which provides an in-depth analysis of how the MaD bill contravenes Australia’s proud tradition of free speech, human rights, and the open debate essential to democracy. The bill’s measures represent a significant overreach, jeopardising the freedoms that distinguish our nation.

I urge the Senate to reject the MaD bill in favour of preserving a society where ideas are exchanged freely, fearlessly, and openly. The strength of our democracy lies in our commitment to liberty and transparency, not in silencing those who dare to question. No government should pride itself on concealing truth from its citizens. Such darkness breeds corruption, empowering a government to act with the unchecked authority of Caesar. Passing this bill risks creating a closed loop of self-interest – Caesar governing Caesar.

To place this into perspective, the government is setting a closed loop whereby citizens approach Caesar to complain to Caesar about Caesar in institutions governed by Caesar.

If enacted, this bill will not stand unopposed moving forward. It would be the battleground where Australians draw their line in defence of liberty. I implore you, Senators, to protect the values at the heart of our nation. Let future generations see that you stood firm, upholding the essence of what it means to be Australian and not allow the sacrifices of diggers charging up hills in foreign lands worthless.

Calling an urgent debate during the US elections was a most profound development that has indicated a deep sense of mistrust as it is possible information from the new incoming Trump administration may yield damaging information implicating Australian entities.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter in the interest of safe guarding our democratic legacy.

With deep respect for our country, its values, and its citizens please consider your position.

‘Truth in knowledge held back by power.’