Anthony Albanese has dismissed Elon Musk’s claims the Labor government was “fascist”, saying the US billionaire needed to recognise X “has a social responsibility”.
“If Mr Musk doesn’t understand that, that says more about him than it does about my government,” the Australian prime minister said on Saturday.
Musk responded to a post on X about Australia’s measures by simply posting: “Fascists”.
Musk has clashed with the Australian government multiple times over the past year, including over requests for X to take down clips of a Sydney bishop allegedly being stabbed.
Australia introduced a “combating misinformation” bill earlier this week, which includes sweeping powers to fine tech giants up to 5 percent of their annual turnover for breaching online safety obligations.
But Albanese fired back at Musk, saying social media “has a social responsibility.”
“If Mr. Musk doesn’t understand that, that says more about him than it does about my government,” he told reporters on Saturday
