A new free speech campaign has been launched in response to the Australian government’s controversial new hate crimes legislation.
Advocacy organisation the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance (ATA) initiative, called The Australian Freedom Pledge, aims to have political candidates and elected representatives sign a commitment to resist infringements on freedom of speech and government overreach.
On Saturday Libertarian Party Victorian Senate Candidate Jordan Dittloff became the first to sign the pledge to never vote for or support any from of Digital ID, to repeal the hate speech laws, and to enshrine free speech in the Australian Constitution.
“Proud to be the first political representative signatory in Australia to the ATA’s free speech pledge!” he said.
“This puts on public record my commitment to vote against any and all restrictions on free speech; to repeal the Hate Speech laws passed in recent weeks; and to support constitutional reform to add an express protection for free speech in Australia.”
Proud to be the first political representative signatory in Australia to the ATA’s free speech pledge!
This puts on public record my commitment to vote against any and all restrictions on free speech; to repeal the Hate Speech laws passed in recent weeks; and to support… pic.twitter.com/udsylkufyu
— Jordan Dittloff (@Dittloff4Senate) February 15, 2025
United Australia Party Senator Ralph Babet and Independent Senator Gerard Rennick have both recently called for free speech to be enshrined in the constitution, but are yet to sign the pledge.
Executive Director Brian Marlow described Australia’s new hate speech laws as Orwellian, and said the ATA launched the pledge to “draw a line in the sand” on freedom.
“The Hate Speech Bill is not about stopping violent extremism. It is about silencing opposition and containing a resurgent right that threatens the political establishment,” he said.
“In my opinion, they’ve passed one of the most draconian free speech laws in Australian history – not to protect the public, but to criminalise dissent. Under this law, intent no longer matters. A person can now be imprisoned for up to seven years not for inciting violence, but simply for being ‘reckless’ with words.
“Courts no longer need proof of intent – if a ‘protected group’ merely claims to feel threatened, that could be enough for a conviction. That’s a deliberate move to crush political speech, ideological opposition, and the right to challenge the establishment.”
Mr Marlow said he also had deep concerns about the government continuing to push for a Digital ID system which could be used to monitor, restrict and punish Australians for their political views, as well as aiding de-banking, censorship and political control.
“We already have MPs and candidates signing the pledge and we’re hoping more join the cause. Australians- particularly conservatives and anyone who values our nation’s sovereignty – must wake up to what is happening,” he said.
“This law is not about stopping Nazis, extremism, or violent rhetoric. It is about shutting down opposition to the political class, their economic obsessions, and their social agenda.
“The issues that threaten the ruling elite the most: Reducing mass migration, supporting pro-life values, national sovereignty, and opposition to radical leftist ideology, are now in their crosshairs. This is a defining moment for our country.
“Every MP and candidate must now choose a side. Will they stand for freedom? Or will they enable censorship, government surveillance, and political persecution?”
The hate crimes bill was rushed through parliament by Labor due to pressure from the Coalition to act on Australia’s so-called anti-Semitism crisis, and passed with bipartisan support.
Only six senators voted against it, and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson and Senator Malcolm Roberts were slammed by their voter base for abstaining.
The legislation created new offences for threatening force or violence against an expanded list of “targeted groups”, imposed mandatory minimum sentences, and lowered the threshold from “intent” to “recklessness”.
Header image: A freedom protest in Melbourne in 2021 (Photo by DJ Paine on Unsplash).
