Government trying to ‘guard’ against ‘malevolent actors’ influencing Australia’s democracy

Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek says the government has highlighted “balancing the need” for free speech in Australia with “protection from serious harm”. Ms Plibersek’s comments come as the government is now threatening big fines on social media giants if they fail to remove any mis or disinformation. “We are talking about deliberate disinformation and misinformation,” Ms Plibersek told Sky News Australia. “It is a high bar of serious harm, and it won’t be the government deciding it. “One of the things we’re trying to guard against is malevolent actors, including from outside Australia, trying to influence our democracy in a dishonest way.”