Anthony Albanese thought his troubles were over when a rogue Labor senator left his party… but she’s just dealt him another blow.

A former Labor senator who sensationally quit the party is set to deal another blow to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese by voting against his misinformation bill.

Senator Fatima Payman’s decision to reject proposed laws aimed at policing social media platforms for “misinformation” leaves the fate of the controversial legislation hanging in the balance with the numbers opposing it in the Upper House.

Fellow senators David Pocock, Tammy Tyrell and Jacqui Lambie have announced they will not support the laws, with the Coalition also against the bill, meaning the government will struggle to get the measures through the Senate.

Declaring her opposition, West Australian senator Payman, who left Labor after switching sides in June to support a Greens motion on Palestine, said the disinformation bill threatened democratic rights fundamental.

“Freedom of expression is a pillar of our democracy and this bill threatens it,” Payman said in a video posted to her social media accounts.

“Of course misinformation and disinformation are a problem, but this bill is not the answer.

“That’s why I will vote against this bill.”

Ms Payman, who has formed her own Australia’s Voice party since leaving Labor, said the bill put freedoms at risk.

“The powers it grants could lead to a lockdown, with the government deciding what counts as truth and what doesn’t. That’s not the Australia I believe in,” she said.

“I will always stand up for our freedoms and an Australia where all voices can be heard.”

Under Labor’s proposed laws passed by the Lower House this week, social media companies face tough penalties from the Australian Communications and Media Authority, a strengthened watchdog, whether it believes the platforms allow posts that interfere with elections or undermine public health advice.

Posts that defame people based on their race, religion, or gender identity can also result in hefty fines. up to 5 percent of a platform’s overall revenue.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland told the Sydney Institute this week that fake news on social media platforms was a problem.

“You cannot take online safety or democracy seriously if your position on harmful misinformation and misinformation is to tolerate inaction,” she said.

The government argues that the Countering Misinformation and Disinformation Bill 2024 only requires social media companies to keep records of misinformation and disinformation, rather than giving the ACMA direct power to delete online content.

“Parliament now has the opportunity to lift the veil on big tech and bring unprecedented transparency and accountability to the actions of digital platforms when it comes to seriously harmful online misinformation and disinformation,” said said Ms. Rowland.

“These reforms would require digital platforms to have systems and processes to deal with seriously harmful information that is false, misleading or misleading.”

However, shadow communications minister David Coleman argued the laws were too subjective and would destroy free speech.

“This is one of the worst bills brought forward by an Australian government,” he said.

“It would have a chilling effect on free speech. It would mean that ultimately government regulators would decide what can be said and what cannot be said.

“This is totally unacceptable in a democracy. This has no place in this country and that is why the Coalition will continue to oppose this legislation.