While the federal Misinformation and Disinformation Bill has been abandoned, planned new Victorian anti-hate speech laws will widen the net of draconian federal, state, and territory laws crushing freedom of speech in Australia.

After a massive outcry and much lobbying – of Coalition, independent, minor party and Greens’ senators – federal Communications Minister Michelle Rowland confirmed on November 24 that the Misinformation and Disinformation Bill was dead.