It is important that Australian democracy is protected against threats of foreign interference.

Social media platforms are private companies with their own terms of service that users agree to, and those private companies may enforce their platform policies against users of their platforms, including policies relating to the accuracy of health information and COVID-19.

In the interests of transparency and accountability in our democracy, it would be useful if there were better information about these processes and decisions, including appeals of these decisions by users.

Regarding, George Christensen’s Private Members Bill: Social Media (Protecting Australians from Censorship) Bill 2022 – Parliament of Australia (aph.gov.au)  it is not government policy, and it will only be allowed to be debated by the parliament if the Morrison Government allows this.  In the unlikely event this occurs prior to the election, Labor will consider this Private Member's Bill in accordance with our usual processes.

We are mindful that, as affirmed by the Australian Human Rights Commission, that the Australian Constitution does not explicitly protect freedom of expression. However, the High Court has held that an implied freedom of political communication exists as an indispensable part of the system of representative and responsible government created by the Constitution. It operates as a freedom from government restraint, rather than a right conferred directly on individuals. For more information see Freedom of information, opinion and expression | Australian Human Rights Commission