“Australia is facing a wave of misinformation and disinformation on climate change and energy.”

“This is being fuelled by the growth in artificial intelligence and allowed to spread freely on social media, according to the findings of a Senate inquiry.”

“Misinformation presents a threat to action on climate change, but also challenges the health of Australia’s democracy, the committee found.”

“AI was even used to generate fake content in some of the submissions to the inquiry.”

“Why does misinformation matter? First, it’s important to understand why misinformation matters, and why about 74% of Australians are concerned about it.”

“Misinformation is the spread of false information, regardless of whether there is an intent to harm or mislead.”

“But when an individual or organisation spreads misinformation with the intent to influence public opinion, this is known as disinformation.”

“If misinformation starts to warp or sever this link, our democratic societies can unravel.”

“The inquiry uncovered countless instances where misinformation – and often disinformation – was affecting public opinion on everything, from wind farms and whales to electric vehicles and batteries.”

“One of the motivations for the Senate inquiry was evidence that emerged in 2025 highlighting how anti-offshore wind campaigns had spread misinformation. They claimed turbines killed whales and would block out the sunrise – neither of which is true.”

“Senators recommended banning fossil fuel industry donations and legislating truth in political advertising.”

“The Senate committee recommended greater transparency in political donations and lobbying, strengthened media literacy, and independent monitoring programs to track misinformation.”

“Australians for Natural Gas, which appears to be a grassroots organisation that supports pro-gas policies, was in fact set up by the chief executive of gas company Tamboran Resources, with help from PR firm Freshwater Strategy, according to an investigation by the ABC.”

“The committee’s report makes it clear that social media and AI are fuelling misinformation.”

“Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, conceded it spends more on lobbying than fact-checking in Australia.”

“Research from more than 100 scholars around the world has uncovered a network of organisations that exist to influence the public, media and political arenas to slow, stop or reverse effective climate action.”

“A number of participants to the Senate inquiry refused to reveal who was funding their operations.”

“AI enables the creation of fake social media posts, pictures, and videos.”

“Survivors of the 2019 Black Summer bushfires submitted evidence describing how misinformation had created rifts in local NSW communities and driven family members apart.”

“Misinformation about batteries is rife too. For example, testimony from a NSW farmer told how a 500 kilowatt-hour community battery in Narrabri, initially supported by the local council, was later blocked following a campaign driven by misinformation on Facebook.”

“Senators called for powers to compel social media companies to remove fake content and bots used in coordinated campaigns to obstruct climate action.”

“In Australia, our knowledge of who is funding disinformation is hampered by a lack of transparency.”

“Rainforest Reserves Australia (RRA), a conservative campaign group opposing renewable energy, had included information about wind farms that do not exist. It also cited academic articles that do not exist.”

“The federal government should act on the Senate inquiry's recommendations before the next election to address the threat to democracy.”

“My own research has shown industry lobby groups historically opposed to climate policies in the US spent US$3.4 billion (A$4.88 billion) on political activities, especially public relations, between 2008 and 2018.”

“Rainforest Reserves Australia acknowledged its 1,500-word response to media inquiries was generated using AI.”

“Senators heard how the algorithms on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok often prioritised engagement over accuracy, 'creating echo chambers that reinforce existing beliefs and can amplify misleading content'.”