Crossbenchers urge Labor to act immediately on deepfakes and misinformation before next election (23 Jan 2025)
Article summary: Independent MPs, including David Pocock and Kate Chaney, have urged the Australian government to take immediate action against deepfakes and disinformation as the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) warns of growing threats from AI and foreign interference ahead of the next federal election.
In a letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Special Minister of State Don Farrell, Pocock and Chaney called for urgent reform to ensure "truth in political advertising." The letter also criticised Labor for sidelining the crossbench in political donation cap negotiations, which stalled in late 2024. Despite Albanese’s earlier commitment to consult with the crossbench, Pocock and Chaney say no action has been taken, and they fear the government lacks a plan for reform.
Pocock expressed disappointment, saying Labor appears reluctant to legislate meaningful changes. Highlighting the risks of AI, he referenced a fabricated video he had previously created to demonstrate how AI could be used to spread misinformation. Chaney echoed the urgency, emphasising the potential threat to democracy and noting that reforms should proceed even if they cannot be implemented before the upcoming election. Pocock remains optimistic that reforms could still pass in the February sitting.
The proposed legislation would empower the AEC to monitor and address false or misleading political content, mirroring similar laws in South Australia. This week, the AEC issued new warnings about AI and foreign interference, stating that disinformation and deepfake videos will increase as the election approaches.
While it noted foreign interference efforts are prolific, successful attempts remain rare. The AEC’s electoral integrity assurance taskforce has released guidelines for candidates and voters on detecting misinformation, cybersecurity, and interference risks.
The commission also highlighted the dangers of generative AI, which it expects to be a major challenge in the next election. The Greens’ David Shoebridge warned that the country is "sleepwalking" into an election without proper protections, noting that it remains legal to create AI-generated videos of politicians making false claims, provided they are authorised for electoral purposes. The AEC urged Australians to critically evaluate content and its sources to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
