December 1, 2022
I am honoured to have been elected as Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media.
I look forward to working with Senator Jess Walsh who has been elected as Deputy Chair, and all members of the committee.
Australia has been a world leader in combatting foreign interference, however, authoritarian states continue to pose a serious risk and seek to divide democratic societies through targeted disinformation campaigns that leverage western media platforms.
Social media companies based in authoritarian countries, like China, also pose unique national security risks which Australia must address.
Efforts to intimidate, harass or silence journalists, researchers and activists are becoming more sophisticated and must not be tolerated.
Social media companies must do more to combat this dangerous behaviour but leadership from government is also required.
The committee will seek evidence from all interested parties, including government agencies, the technology industry, independent experts and victims of cyber-enabled foreign interference.
Submissions are now open and interested parties should lodge with the Committee Secretariat by 17 February 2023 ahead of public hearings.
