Andrew Bogut warned by VEC after political post

Basketballer Andrew Bogut says he will remain outspoken despite being targeted by authorities for posting critical content about the government’s pandemic laws.

The Victorian Electoral Commission has threatened basketball star ­Andrew Bogut with prosecution for posting social media content critical of both the Andrews government’s pandemic law and the crossbenchers who backed it.

Former NBA and Boomers legend Bogut, who isn’t affiliated with any political party, said he was deeply concerned by a warning letter, but insisted he would not be silenced.

He said the warning meant the commission could target any private person who aired their personal political views on social media.

VEC spokeswoman Ruth Murphy said any individual who posted critical comments that related to “electoral matters” without “an authorisation as required by law” could face a fine of up to $26,640.

She added: “Authorisation requirements for published electoral matter apply at all times”.

Mr Bogut said he had sought legal advice over the letter, which he ­received last month, and was told the warning was “laughable”.

“I’m not a political party. I’m not promoting any political party. I make that clear, I don’t trust political ­parties,” he said.

Bogut emphasised his dislike of political parties, adding: “I purposely stay away from ­endorsing one. I never have.

“My whole play is to vote them out at all costs, and I really don’t care who gets in.”

The warning to him from the VEC came in response to a social media post opposing the government’s pandemic legislation which featured the words “vote them out”, and ­directed people to a website by the same name.

Andrew Bogut said he received a warning from the VEC over his social media post. Picture: Getty Images

A video featuring images of crossbench MPs Fiona Patten, Samantha Ratnam and Andy Meddick — who were voting in favour of the amended laws — urged people to vote them out of office if the laws were passed.

“The lawyers said there’s nothing they (the VEC) can do, they’ll just try and make life hard for you,” Bogut said.

“They said this letter is a scare tactic. You’re essentially on a list, they want you to know they’re watching you and they’re gonna mess with you if you do anything else. That’s the advice I got.

“It’s clearly targeted towards me. I’ve been pretty vocal, and I know I’ve pissed people off.

“For me the frustrating thing is that the VEC is supposed to be non-partisan,” Bogut added.

The now-retired former Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors ace, who has made millions from playing the game at the highest level in the US, said he was concerned about the electoral body ­attempting to shut down free speech and political debate.

But he said that of several high-profile people he knew who had shared the same post, he was the only one to receive the caution and suspected it was because of his significant online following.

Bogut said he had become increasingly outspoken throughout the pandemic because of frustration with the Andrews government.

“I think the Victorian government especially, and there’s others in Australia … I’ve never seen a more corrupt government in power.

“Every corner you turn with this government there’s something dodgy going on and it needs to stop.”

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

Despite accusations he was anti-Labor, he said he had been publicly critical of Liberal figures including Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“I’ve done nothing wrong,” he said. “There are parties I like more than others, but even with those parties I have problems with certain issues.

“I’m an individual at the end of the day, I’m not a political party. I make comments about all kinds of things around the world. One thing I make more comments about is the Victorian government.”

The strong warning came despite a Victorian parliamentary electoral committee, in a report published in September, calling for an overhaul of the Electoral Act to make clear that authorisation statements were not required for personal political comment on social media.

Bogut said despite repeated approaches from various political parties, he didn’t foreshadow a political career.

“I don’t have the time or want for it. Unless you’re in a political party it’s very hard to make waves,” he said.

“Labor and Liberal aren’t that much different. Everything they do is strictly political and it’s not for the betterment of the people.

“It’s so toxic. Perhaps behind the scenes I could try and do some things down the line, but as of now, no.”

Liberty Victoria president Michael Stanton, said the letter appeared “heavy handed”.

“Social media is full of political content across the spectrum including statements to ‘vote out particular politicians.

“Mr Bogut should not be held to a different standard because of his profile. It would suggest there needs to be consideration of reforms (to the Electoral Act) to take into account modern forms of political communication, including on social media.”