Press Release

HEART PARTY SUBMISSION

Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024

30th September 2024

To the attention of:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Phone: 02 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au

At HEART Party, we proudly represent thousands of Australians who cherish freedom of choice.

Founded in 2016 as IMOParty, we have evolved into HEART Party, dedicated to defending the rights of Australians to refuse or choose any health product or procedure without coercion, discrimination, harassment, or penalty - upholding the fundamental right to free speech. We advocate for Health, Environment, Accountability, Rights, and Transparency in politics.

Currently, medical freedoms in Australia face unprecedented threats, particularly with the introduction of the "Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024." The consequences of suppressing free speech are dire: it will diminish public trust in government and could infringe on the implied constitutional right to political communication.

As a political party representing the public, we find ourselves increasingly restricted from discussing critical issues on social media, especially regarding government actions. How can the public and advocacy groups challenge authority if they are denied the platform to do so? This could lead to a shift from a democratic society to one that resembles a totalitarian regime. Is this the future we envision for our ‘lucky country’?

We live in a nation where media often shapes public perception to fit a specific narrative. An issue starkly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, there has been little accountability for the harmful effects of misinformation. Instead, we are witnessing the creation of a bill that empowers ACMA and the government to silence dissent, stifle Australians from addressing critical issues, and exploit the term "misinformation" for political gain.

We acknowledge that not all forms of speech should be free. However, this bill is not about that distinction. Where do you draw the line? If a government department is covering up maladministration or corruption, could this be suppressed as "misinformation" under this legislation?

In essence, this bill allows the fox to guard the henhouse. We are moving toward an environment lacking transparency, where the truth is systematically suppressed.

In this country, there are no rights to free speech. We call for a Bill of Rights or a Federal Human Rights Act to safeguard our fundamental rights and freedoms, including, freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom of movement, freedom from surveillance, medical freedom, the right to privacy, the right to data privacy (including the use of facial recognition and other biometrics), the right to make anonymous transactions, and the right to use cash for any transaction.

This commitment lies at the core of our existence as a political party, making us the voice of the people. We recognise the critical need for accountability and transparency across all areas of government, including health, environmental, and economic policies. That is why we oppose this bill and any similar legislation.

At the heart of our policies is our pledge to empower all Australians to make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle.