Urgent! The government has introduced a trio of laws which are a direct attack on democracy in Australia. Any day now, MPs will vote on one of them, the Espionage and Foreign Interference Bill.
We must raise our voices loud. Right now. We need to express our outrage, our refusal to allow such anti-democratic legislation ever becoming law in this country.
Call the Attorney-General and Shadow Attorney-General right now to demand they reject this draconian law.
Get dialling
Attorney-General Christian Porter – (02) 6277 7300
Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus – (02) 6277 4205
What to say
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The Espionage and Foreign Interference Bill is anti-democratic and designed to make the Australian government less accountable to its people.
- This bill could bring criminal charges and severe penalties to charities and not-for-profits that are an essential part of a robust democracy. Individuals and groups should be free to hold the government to account without fear of prosecution or imprisonment.
- This bill is a clear overreach by our government. It is not acceptable, nor necessary, to trample the rights of Australians.
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Ask Christian Porter: Will you kill this bill and go back to the drawing board consulting organisations, charities and other stakeholders to discuss the impacts and concerns?
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Ask Mark Dreyfus: Will your kill this bill and remove bipartisan support because it erodes our democracy and ability to hold our government to account?
Find out more about these proposed laws.
Calling tips
- When you call, you might speak to a staffer. Ask them to leave a message for the Attorney-General or Shadow Attorney-General. If you can't get through, keep trying!
- Be polite and encouraging – we want them to make a good decision!
- Talk about why you care about this
- For more tips, check out this toolkit!
Latest Supporters
Both staffers I spoke to were really polite. I’ve since just heard that some of the key sticky elements have been removed, so maybe my comments went to the Ministers too late.
best wishes.
Well received and pleasant conversation ensued. Was advised that the concerns raised re anti democracy have been heard and acted on.
The man and woman who answered my calls listened as I spoke. They both said nothing other than they’ll pass on my comments and thanked me for my call.
My call was well recieved and I wa assured by Mark Drefus’s office staff that he is working very hard to remove charities and citezen democratic activites from the proposed legislation.
Had to leave a message in both cases
I have not called due to illness but support getup.
The position I explained was that I strongly oppose the bill yet I am also concerned about Chinese government interference – which this bill will not address! I am concerned about the bullying of Chinese-Australian academics and members of the dissidents in the Chinese language media in Australia (see ABC 4 corners 10/6/17). I pointed to the many cases where existing criminal laws have not been enforced or used to protect people living in Australia (making intimidation and threats against businesses and individuals is already illegal). A lack of will to enforce criminal law is the problem when foreign interference is concerned, and there is no need for dangerous new laws that are actually aimed at advocates, journalists and whistle-blowers, not foreign powers.
OK. Both offices listened politely and promised to pass on my message.
Both staffers were extremely polite and took my concerns and listened. A female staffer answered at Marks office and assured me that Labor would never let the right to protest be eroded. I said the Bill seemed to be the thin edge of the wedge and even with the 60 amendments very dangerous. What next will I go to jail for making a FB post? Staffer, Mark at Christian Porters office asked me to clarify my concerns and so I expressed my distress that the Bills represented an attack on basic civil liberties and I our right to protect and protest with example given of protecting the Reef and forests from logging and the environment in general.
The attorney generals office were cold and asked for my name. Shadow a g were warm and engaging in a supportive way.
Called Chritian Porter’s office and talked to one of his staff regarding the new bill that is about to be voted on, he said he would pass on my message about the concerns listed.
Called Mark Dreyfus’s office and expressed my concerns and the staffer was quite willing to pass on my concerns.
The man said he would “pass on my concerns”. I believe the only way anything will happen is if a LOT of people actively work on stopping this!!!
Christian Porter’s office told me I was entitled to my opinion… they’re wicked monsters
Mark Dreyfus’s office were a little less dismissive
Left message with receptionist to pass on not happy wit part of bill that squeezes charities, in particular environmental groups that we need more so now than ever before. It impedes free speech, un -Australian and a attack on our democracy. Then told her I will be contacting the opposition, but I had already contacted Amanda Rishworth two weeks ago and met her in her office.
The receprionist at both offices said she would pass on the message. Mark Drefus’s secretary said she had received many calls this morning
A.G. Office tried to twist my opinion by offering me"the good things of the Bill like it is bi-partisan and it will keep us safe and is that what I disagree with?"
Shadow A.G. Office easier.
I got a routine Thankyou – my call would be passed on – there was attempt at discussion.
I spoke to Theo in Christian Porter’s office. I had a very pleasant conversation in which he reassured me that the bill had to be wide enough to cover people who might represent another country’s interests and they could set up a phony citizen’s forum here – or donate to our activist organisations. He claimed that Australians would not be stopped from having the right to voice their opinions.
I suggested that Peter Dutton often looked like he was power-hungry and controlling; that he would not be out of place in a nazi uniform and Theo laughed (nicely).
The staffer said that there had already been 30 calls today telling Mark Dreyfus to kill the bill, and that Labor was going through it “with a fine-toothed comb” and wouldn’t support it if it punished charities or peaceful protest.
Rang both offices (Porter’s and Dreyfus’).
Unfortunately, I rang in the middle of question time.
Left message re my concerns about the EFI Bill and my concerns for our democracy – spoke with Chris and Evelyn respectively.
Both were courteous and said they would pass on the message.
Cheers
Angela
Spoke to Chris in AG office. Listened and promised to pass on message, but did not want to take my details, just said he would say there was a call from another concerned citizen. Also spoke to Evelyn in Mark Dreyfus’s office. She said I was 26th person to call her, but other colleagues have also taken calls. They are logging them and will pass on concerns. We need more people to call
Rang Porter’s office. Spoke with Chris, AG not available but would pass message on. Listened politely but wouldn’t engage
Rang Dreyfus’ office. Spoke with Evelyn. Listened politely but then engaged in our conversation assuring me that sections relating to NFP and peaceful protests will not go through. Assured me she would still convey my concerns to Shadow AG
Mark Dreyfus: Evelyn (rsch assistant in Mark Dreyfus’ office) assured me there is no support from labor for the bill as it stands – the amendments are being debated. They’ve had more than 20 calls this morning. She pointed out the bill doesn’t target peaceful protests but agreed that the lack of definitions made the bill susceptible to political overreach.
Christian Porter
Chris (departmental liaison officer) assured me he would pass on my concerns. He said he wasn’t across where the attorney general currently stood on further consultation re the bill.
Call to both offices went fine. Dreyfus’s office said that there were many parts of the bill that Labor was not supporting. Porter’s office just noted my concern over our democratic rights being affected. Dreyfus’ s office said that they had had about 20 calls
Liberals will pass on our concerns.
Labour assuring that the recommended modifications
Will hopefully pass& lead to desired changes
The man who answered at Porter’s office listened, rather resignedly, as I said that everything this government does shows a contempt for, and hatred of, the people. Furthermore, I compared this Bill to thirties Germany and made clear that it is utterly unacceptable — that if this government persists with it, it will be wiped out.
A woman answered at Dreyfus’s office. I gave the same complaint. She agreed and said they’d, so far, had 17 calls. I replied Only 17! She expected more in the afternoon.