Wednesday, 31 August 2022

 Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (10:04): I, like other members in this house, have had problems with my Facebook account, such as trolls. Our Facebook and social media accounts have been hacked or tampered with. We are less than 12 weeks away from an election. Our social media accounts are vital to connecting with our constituents. I have had a 24-hour ban on my Facebook this week, while I sit in Parliament, for posting an image that was taken at a public event. Anyone can report a post, and the process of disputing the resulting ban is ridiculous and non-responsive. You can request a review to process the content. Facebook has actually banned the content of debates and members statements that I myself have made in this chamber that have been fact-checked by Hansard. Parliament’s cybersecurity has actually got no direct phone number with Facebook. How can anyone feel safe about cyber attacks in Victoria when this Parliament cannot actually contact Facebook when a member of Parliament has been hacked? This is 100 days before a state election. I call on Facebook and others, in the way of hackers, to keep away from this state government election. Allow us to actually have a free election.