David Farrar: A good bill from Melissa Lee to reform the HDCA

Melissa Lee has put a bill into the ballot to make some good reforms to the Harmful Digital Communications Act. The ACT has provided relief to many people who have suffered online harm, but has also been weaponised to stop legitimate criticism.

They key changes proposed are:

• Interim orders are only to be made if they are necessary to prevent or reduce ongoing harm to the applicant

• Interim orders without notice must only be made in extraordinary circumstances where ongoing or imminent harm to the applicant is severe

• Provides that digital communications that are in the public interest or made for a lawful purpose are not offences

• Political commentary is given a higher level of protection

• Final orders can’t be made on a without notice basis

These seem eminently sensible, and I hope if the bill is drawn all parties support it.

David Farrar runs Curia Market Research, a specialist opinion polling and research agency, and the popular Kiwiblog where this article was sourced. He previously worked in the Parliament for eight years, serving two National Party Prime Ministers and three Opposition Leaders