Controversial billionaire Elon Musk has called the Australian government “fascists” over its attempts to tackle deliberate lies spread on social media.
Social media companies could be fined up to 5 per cent of their annual turnover under the Commonwealth’s proposed laws.
Musk, who owns social media platform X, responded to a post about Australia’s measures with one word.
Asked about the comment, Government Services Minister Bill Shorten hit back.
“Elon Musk has more positions on our free speech than the Kama Sutra,” he told the Today show on Friday.
“When it’s in his commercial interests, he is the champion of free speech, when he doesn’t like it, he’s going to shut it all down.”
Government Services Minister Bill Shorten was critical of Elon Musk’s remark. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
Financial Services Minister Stephen Jones described Musk’s remark as “crackpot stuff”.
“This is about sovereignty … we assert our right to pass laws which will keep Australians safe — safe from scammers, safe from criminals,” Jones said.
would give the communications watchdog powers to monitor and regulate content on digital platforms.
It would also allow it to approve an enforceable industry code of conduct or introduce standards for social media companies if self-regulation was deemed to fail.
This is not the first time Musk has battled against Australian authorities.
In April, the eSafety Commissioner issued an edict to X, formerly known as Twitter, to .
During the months-long saga, Musk accused the Australian government of suppressing free speech.
Several politicians hit back, with the prime minister labelling him an “arrogant billionaire”.
