MAD Must Go with the Hon Russell Broadbent MP

The Aligned Council of Australia is delighted to host this very special webinar with equally special guests - Jody Clune, founder of NERA (National Electoral Representatives Alignment), and the Hon Russell Broadbent MP. 

Join our very special trio of experts on Wednesday 16th October at 7.30PM AEDT to unpack the proposed Communications Legislation Amendment (Combating Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024 (aka MAD Bill), and how the Hon Russell Broadbent is getting involved and taking action. 

In a free society, the right to express ideas and opinions without fear of government censorship is fundamental. The proposed MAD Bill risks stifling open dialogue and preventing Australians from accessing diverse viewpoints. We must protect the integrity of what we can say, what we can share, and what we choose to believe. We must stop this Bill...MAD Must Go!

The MAD Bill proposes heavy restrictions on platforms to police individuals deemed to be spreading so-called 'mis and dis-information': terms that have in this version of the MAD Bill been brought into closer alignment with industry and requires misinformation to be “reasonably verifiable as false, misleading or deceptive” but are still subjective and open to interpretation. This leaves room for legitimate dissent to be swept aside, with the government, platforms and a select few media outlets determining what is acceptable discourse. So just what kind of serious harm is the government aiming to protect you from: Flak being directed to the operation or integrity of all branches of government Grief being shown towards public health including public health measures Questioning confidence in the banking system and financial markets These definitions of serious harm read like the MAD Bill’s trying to protect the government from criticism. It is clear that the MAD Bill is a political tool to advance government objectives and quash dissent! So where’s this all coming from? Globally there is enormous pressure to throttle information that questions the narrative. In the World Health Organisation’s 2024 International Health Regulations, Australia is required by 1 June 2025 to “develop, strengthen and maintain core capacities . . . in relation to . . . risk communication, including addressing misinformation and disinformation.” (Annex 1, A.2.c.(vi))Where “addressing” means censoring and punishing those who have offered diverging opinions: cue the MAD Bill. Other countries around the world have proposed similar MAD Bills. We cannot afford to lose the independent voices that investigate, challenge, and report on issues that matter to Australians. Stand up for free speech, protect your online voices and defend your right to speak.

Please join us on Wednesday 16th October at 7.30PM AEDT for this very important conversation and information session. Everyone is welcome, perhaps even bring a friend!

For those who don't know the Hon Russell Broadbent MP;

Before entering politics, Russell was a draper by trade and a small business owner, who ran six shops across four locations. During this time, he was also the lead singer in a band. Both served him well as they taught him a lot about people, hard choices and commitment, all of which helped prepare him for a future in politics.

He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990 for the seat of Corinella. He narrowly lost the 1993 election, but in 1996 was successful in gaining election to the seat of McMillan. In 1998 he again lost the seat of McMillan but returned in 2004. He has been representing his constituents since then in the electorate now known as Monash.

Over the past four years, he has been a fierce advocate for our right to make decisions for our own bodies. Russell has spoken with people from across Australia who are rightfully angry, disillusioned and defeated by the Australian Government’s coercion in mandating experimental COVID-19 injections throughout the pandemic years. 
On 14 November 2023, he made the decision to resign from the Liberal Party and move to the crossbench. Since then Russell has been very outspoken about the discrimination occurring under the "No Jab No Pay" legislation, and is working toward seeing it repealed. 

Russell considers it a privilege to representat his constituents, and we are very priveleged to have him join us on this webinar. 

Note: everyone who registers for this webinar will receive the recording.