I write to you with a profound concern for the future of our nation’s freedoms in light of several proposed and enacted legislative measures that collectively threaten to undermine privacy, free speech, medical autonomy, and sovereignty. Among these are the amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) and domestic legislation such as the Digital ID Bill, the Misinformation Bill, and Medical Mandates embedded in Public Health Acts. These laws, though seemingly crafted to protect public welfare, risk eroding the liberties that define us as a democratic society.

As elected representatives, your duty is not to act as the parent of the citizenry but to preserve the delicate balance between liberty and governance. Australians are not children needing oversight; they are free people who demand that their rights to privacy, autonomy, and sovereignty remain intact. This letter appeals to your conscience, urging you to understand the far-reaching implications of these laws and act decisively to protect the freedoms entrusted to you by the Australian people.

The rise of weaponised narratives pose a grave threat to the foundation of democracy, where open and free debate is essential for the pursuit of truth. These narratives, crafted to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissent, have shifted the balance of power, turning politicians from servants of the people into self-appointed masters. Rather than fostering transparency and encouraging robust discussion, these tools of division are wielded to control, confuse, and coerce citizens into compliance. Democracy’s strength lies in its capacity for dialogue and self-correction, yet when narratives are weaponised to stifle alternative viewpoints and justify overreach, the very essence of democratic governance is eroded. It is imperative that we reject this manipulation, uphold the principles of accountability, and remind those in power that their role is not to dictate how we live but to protect the freedoms that allow us to thrive as a sovereign, self-determining people unshackled from oppressive rule, high taxes, excessive government bureaucracy, waste, and debt. We need a system that encourages growth and entrepreneurship tapping into the vast wealth of natural and human resources Australia possesses. This is your job!

1. The International Health Regulations (IHR) and Erosion of Sovereignty

The amendments to the IHR represent a significant shift in global health governance, undermining the sovereignty of member states and empowering unelected international bodies with unprecedented authority.

The original Article 3 of the IHR emphasised respect for ‘the dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms of persons’. This principle was disregarded during the Covid pandemic, as Australians faced coercive mandates and movement restrictions. The amended Article 3 diminishes these protections, placing ‘equity’ and ‘solidarity’ above individual rights. Such language opens the door to oppressive policies justified by vague collective goals, sidelining personal autonomy.

The proposed Article 4 requires member states to implement laws targeting ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’ during public health emergencies. While combating false information is important, these provisions grant governments sweeping powers to suppress dissent and scientific debate. In Australia, the proposed Misinformation and Disinformation Bill mirrors this directive, highlighting the direct influence of international frameworks on domestic policy.

The IHR amendments do not protect Australians; they strip away sovereignty and grant international bodies the power to dictate health and information policies without local accountability.

2. Domestic Legislation: A Coordinated Attack on Freedoms

When considered in tandem, domestic laws such as the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill, Digital ID, Social Media Bans for Children, and Medical Mandates create a dangerous framework of surveillance and control that compromises privacy, free speech, and medical autonomy.

Misinformation and Disinformation Bill:

This Bill empowers regulators to monitor and penalise online platforms for hosting content deemed ‘misinformation’. The result is a chilling effect on free speech, as platforms err on the side of caution, silencing legitimate debate and dissent. Australians risk losing their ability to question policies, share alternative views, or engage in robust scientific discussion. Presently this Bill appears destined to be defeated as the people of Australia have spoken out against the measures.

Digital ID Bill:

Centralising personal identification data under a Digital ID system enables governments and corporations to track individuals across all aspects of their lives, from financial transactions to social media activity. This level of surveillance threatens privacy, creates vulnerability to data breaches, and sets the stage for broader authoritarian control. If we recall, citizens protesting the mandates were circulated on social media by authorities, and in some cases, employers used those social media posts to terminate or warn people. Effectively, social media became a tool for employers to toe the government line and enforce policies or fine people for exercising their right to demonstrate against government overreach.

Social Media Bans for Children:

While protecting children online is a worthy goal, outright bans on social media participation require intrusive verification measures that collect and store sensitive data. These measures erode online privacy and pave the way for broader restrictions on internet freedom. This is a significant encroachment on liberty and demonstrates that government is using the vulnerability of children as a marketing tool to influence and mislead Australians to accepting a Trojan horse whereby all Australians by default will be required to address. This should be resisted at all costs.

Medical Mandates (Public Health Acts):

Public Health Acts implemented during the pandemic undermined medical autonomy and informed consent, linking freedoms such as movement and employment directly to vaccination status. In Kassam v Hazzard(2021), the NSW Supreme Court dismissed challenges to Public Health Orders, reasoning that individuals had a ‘choice’ to refuse vaccination, with restrictions on movement presented as separate consequences. However, this reasoning was fundamentally evasive logic and positivistic in nature. The ability to move freely or earn a livelihood was explicitly predicated on vaccination, creating coercive conditions that compelled compliance. This circular logic effectively stripped individuals of their rights under the guise of public health, leading to mass terminations and layoffs for those who chose not to comply. Interestingly, despite having a right not to be injected (if you choose) industrial relations courts and tribunals have not seen any success in raising further questions relating to the separation of powers. (Perhaps a topic for another day.)

The High Court rejected the appeal in Kassam, but as the Covid inquiry highlighted growing public distrust and legal conundrums, lower courts could potentially revisit similar cases. Addressing these issues would reaffirm judicial accountability and restore public trust, especially given the amount of distrust emerging with laws presently building on those facets.

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC):

CBDCs allow for real-time monitoring and control of every financial transaction, eliminating financial privacy. Governments could weaponise CBDCs to enforce compliance, restrict purchases, or penalise dissenters. This is a most profound package of laws that leads to a level of social control never experienced in history.

3. Privacy, Free Speech, and Medical Autonomy: Pillars of Democracy

The cumulative impact of these laws is the erosion of privacy, free speech, and medical autonomy – pillars that uphold our democracy.

Centralised systems like Digital ID and CBDCs expose individuals to constant surveillance, reducing anonymity and increasing the risk of data misuse. Governments should protect privacy, not undermine it under the guise of convenience or safety.

Suppressing dissent through laws targeting ‘misinformation’ restricts open debate, which is essential for progress and accountability. History shows that silencing dissent leads to tyranny, as seen in authoritarian regimes like Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia.

Coercive vaccine mandates erode trust in public health institutions and violate the principle of informed consent. Individuals must retain the right to make decisions about their bodies without fear of state or employer-imposed consequences.

4. Sovereignty: The Ultimate Responsibility of Government

The IHR and its amendments seek to transfer decision-making power from national governments to unelected international bodies. This is a dangerous precedent. Sovereignty ensures that policies reflect the will of the people, not the interests of global bureaucracies. When sovereignty is surrendered, citizens lose the ability to hold their leaders accountable.

During the Covid pandemic, courts, governments, and health officials failed to adequately protect liberties and observations of the Siracusa Principles. The Siracusa Principles are guidelines adopted by the United Nations in 1984 to clarify how states may restrict certain human rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These principles outline the conditions under which limitations to rights may be imposed, emphasising the balance between public interest and individual freedoms. I raised these in my letter to Ministers on July 7, 2021, it became clear early on that the Siracusa Principles were being breached and selectively neglected by Australia so it could impose the types of laws envisaged in the IHR and further instruments detailed in this article.

The proposed changes to the IHR, combined with domestic legislation, aim to entrench these failures rather than rectify them.

5. The True Nature of Your Duty

As elected representatives, your role is not to act as the parent of the citizenry but as the guardian of their freedoms.

Australians are capable of making informed decisions when provided with transparent, accurate information. It is not your duty to control their choices but to protect their right to choose. Australians are not mindless children who require politicians to tell them how and when to live their lives.

History teaches us that societies that sacrifice freedom for safety ultimately lose both. The trajectory of these laws leads to a dystopian future where privacy is eliminated, dissent is silenced, and sovereignty is a relic of the past. As stewards of our democracy, it is your responsibility to:

Reject the IHR amendments (A77/A/CONF./14) and advocate for a return to robust human rights protections.

Oppose the Misinformation Bill and Digital ID Bill to safeguard free speech and privacy.

Review and repeal Public Health Acts that undermine medical autonomy and informed consent.

Resist international agreements that transfer sovereign decision-making power to global entities.

The above Flowchart integrates the International Health Regulations (IHR) amendments, the Misinformation Bill, the Digital ID Bill, Medical Mandates (Public Health Acts), and other legislative measures as outlined in the letter. It visually demonstrates how these interconnected policies collectively erode sovereignty, centralise power, and lead to a society characterised by surveillance and censorship.

A Call to Protect Our Liberties

The freedoms we enjoy today are the result of generations of struggle and sacrifice. They were not given lightly, and they must not be taken lightly. It is your duty to ensure that these freedoms are preserved for future generations.

The Australian people demand governance that respects their privacy, autonomy, and sovereignty. They demand leaders who will stand against the tide of authoritarianism disguised as safety. They demand a future where liberty is not a privilege granted by the state but a right guaranteed by law.

Stand with the people you represent. Stand for the principles that define our democracy. Stand against the encroachments on our freedoms and foster progress rather than primitive oppression.