QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE › Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024
Senator WONG (South Australia—Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:05): There's a bit more misinformation! I just said we will not be proceeding with the bill; I just said that. I'll say it again: we are not proceeding with this bill. We will not be reintroducing this bill; that is what we have said. I would say to you is we do have to— Senator McKenzie: After the next election? Senator WONG: You are desperate for a scare campaign, aren't you? You really are. You don't want to listen to what I have to say. What I would say to you is there is an issue with disinformation and misinformation in our democracy, and those of us who care about democratic institutions—including the few on those sides of the chamber who do about democratic institutions— Senator McGrath interjecting— Senator McKenzie interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator McGrath! Senator McKenzie! Senator WONG: should work with the government on working out how we protect our democracy against disinformation and misinformation. That would be the responsible thing to do, Senator McKenzie, and I invite you to be responsible. The PRESIDENT: Senators, before I call Senator Green, I remind you that interjections are incredibly disorderly, and, quite frankly, yelling louder than the person whose microphone is on is incredibly disorderly.