Andrew Bogut says ‘pointed’ warning he received from the Victorian government is a ‘slippery slope’

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has told former basketballer Andrew Bogut he could be prosecuted for his social media content.

Mr Bogut, who isn’t affiliated with a political party, has been issued with a letter over a video he posted on social media opposing the Andrews government’s pandemic legislation.

The video featured images of key crossbenchers who were voting in favour of the amended laws and the words “vote them out”, and directed people to a website with the same name.

In a letter, the VEC says the post “likely constitutes an electoral advertisement”, and warns “further offending against section 83(1) of the Electoral Act may result in prosecution”.

Mr Bogut says he was one of “20, 30, 40 people, maybe more” who posted the video.

But he’s the only one who’s received a letter from the VEC.

“The letter is pretty pointed, it’s not saying it’s a reprimand of any sort, it’s just kind of a caution,” Mr Bogut told Neil Mitchell.

“The advice I got was that this is them letting me know they’re watching me, essentially.

“We do live in Australia still, right? … We’re in a county where we can give our opinion about a certain political party and that’s what I’ve given.

“I’m not a political party and if they’re going to come after an individual for voicing an opinion that is a very, very slippery slope for our country, for our state.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the post, the letter and why Mr Bogut thinks it’s a “slippery slope”

I received this letter not long ago from @electionsvic !

I will explain further tomorrow via a @roguebogues “Common Sense” series podcast.

Amazing the lengths the Vic Gov are going to to silence me.

I am officially on a list! ☺️☺️☺️ pic.twitter.com/8qtCDcM5lC

— Andrew Bogut (@andrewbogut) January 18, 2022