Minister Could Share Power to Investigate ‘Misinformation’ Cases: FOI Documents Reveal

Published on December 19, 2023

Australia’s communications minister, Michelle Rowland, could have the power to order investigations into incidents of “misinformation” under a proposed bill. The legislation was initially planned for introduction to the Parliament in Spring, but has been delayed for “refinement.” A public consultation on the draft from June to August 2023 received 23,000 submissions, with many against the plan. In a letter to the prime minister in June, released under Freedom of Information (FOI), Ms. Rowland wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seeking his approval on her approach to passing the legislation. “I am writing to seek your agreement to minor refinements in relation to the development of a new Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2023,” Ms. Rowland wrote to the prime minister....

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