ACMA Extends Deadline for Submissions regarding their new powers to punish social media platforms for 'mis and dis-information'
ACMA Extends Deadline for Submissions regarding their new powers to punish social media platforms for 'mis and dis-information'
Does this mean they've received too many submissions for them to handle in the allotted timeframe?
Originally, the deadline for making submissions regarding the proposed bill which will put the final nail in the coffin for our rights to free speech should it pass, was set down as August 6th. Today, that has changed on ACMA’s website and you now have until the 20th of August to make a submission.
Here is the link to the page - New ACMA Powers to Combat Misinformation and Disinformation - and below is the interview I did with Human Rights Solicitor, Peter Fam, this past Sunday regarding the threats this bill poses to our freedom. You can also download Peter’s submission here - feel free to use any of his points in your own letter to ACMA.
According to ACMA’s website, you can send your submission via the following method:
We want to hear your feedback on the proposed legislation. It's easy to have your say—simply read the exposure draft Bill and the supporting documents and:
Make a submission below by clicking the 'Have your say' button.
Email us in writing, via video, or by sending an audio recording to information.integrity@infrastructure.gov.au.
You can also post your submission once it’s been uploaded (registered mail is recommended) to the following address:
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts,
GPO Box 594
Canberra ACT 2601
ACMA’s website says that all submissions will be uploaded in tranches based on whether or not the writer requested anonymity so please keep this in mind. But also keep in mind that tens of thousands of submissions will be necessary to stop this draconian legislation from going through. Ten minutes of your time now can make a huge difference down the track.
As always, please consider sending a copy of your submission to me at admin@myinformedchoice.com.au - I may publish what you have written but will never reveal your personal details to any third party or publish them.
If you would like to read some of the previous submissions that have been copied to me, you can do so on the page linked below:
How odd.
Normally they just have a set date, and it stays put. Plus, if they don't want more submissions, they would be better off closing it rather than risking even MORE coming in! So why ARE they leaving it open? So they can get more people to send in PRO-misinformation submissions?! Maybe there are just so, so many ANTI-misinformation submissions that they need time to get some cronies together so they can put in their "I like tyranny" submissions...who knows.
Maybe you are right, Meryl. Maybe they need more time to go through this. If there are THAT many submissions, it may turn out to be a very important topic - and they want to get as much feedback as possible.
Or maybe, just maybe, they want to get as many names/details of people who are 'anti-misinformation' (ie people who like the truth & dislike the govt) so they can turn it into a 'hit list' for later on...
I didn't sign mine anonymously. I'm not hiding. I'm not afraid. I will tell the truth as often as possible, until I die. And I will tell off the govt when I think they're doing something wrong! I also tell them well done when I am happy with them (that hasn't happened for some time, though...!).
Henry Lawson would have been greatly puzzled should he arrive in today’s Australia. Things aren’t quite what they were in his day. Coincidentally Henry’s most famous yarn; The Loaded dog was published in 1901the same year as the Immigration Restriction Act also known as the white Australia policy. This Act continued until 1958. , Homosexuality, buggery and bestiality were declared a criminal act in British law in 1533 although the Romans under Constantinople had similar laws long before.probably following the Christian Bible teachings describing these practices as an abomination.
Throughout the ages and especially after the wars various races have dominated immigration, most notably the Chinese and Afghans have made several attempts to become permanent Australians in the 1800s. After the Second World War large numbers of Italians and Germans, our recent enemies moved in. They were welcomed mainly because they were while and so didn’t violate the White Australian policy. Later the Greeks turned up in such numbers that Melbourne was described as the largest Greek city in the world, exceeding Athens.
Because of the acrimony of the Japanese attacks during the WWII, it took some time for the old soldiers to accept them as immigrants but eventually old enmities settled down. Other wars followed such as Korea, Vietnam and Afghanistan producing more and varied immigrants until today we have a trickle of Ukraines joining us.
One of the unique features of Australia that is not so easy to explain is that compared to United Kingdom and USA, practically all immigrants seem to adopt the Australian accent by their second generation with little obvious difference to the original accent. Within Australia east to west and north to south, only the trained ear can recognise the origin of any individual within the country by their accent.
Freedom of expression has been a proud and famous definition of the Australian character, greatly treasured by our young soldiers, possibly passed down the ages from our convict ancestors through the gold miners and the Eureka Stockade rebellion , greatly disdained by our British aristocracy particularly during the first World War. I was personally amazed that when our native people were given the vote they switched from Pidgin English to broad Australian with a year or so.
In these latter years more criticisms have evolved of these traditions of Australiana and select groups find more frequently reasons to discontinue our conventional ‘taking the Mickey’ of each other and certainly of specific groups. More frequently ‘politically correct’ groups tell us with baseless authority that we must not use words or expressions that have come down to us through the ages and are no longer approved by various individuals who choose to rewrite the Australian lexicon to improve their particular image.
Possibly the most alarming regulation that has appeared recently comes from the Communications portfolio planning to legislate that whatever they deem ‘misinformation or disinformation’ must be terminated forthwith or serious fines can be applied. It takes a vivid imagination to pretend that this concept is an improvement to Australian exchange of information. And that social intercourse can be appropriately regulated by some back room bureaucrat, that we Australians have treasured these Millenia past. I sincerely hope our elected representatives give very serious research and thought to this proposal before giving it the seal of authority. Henry Lawson would be shocked!
George Paris
Rathmines, NSW