I agree.
We have restricted or limited freedom of speech in Australia enforced by law or society.
We have laws dictating the limits on what we can read or write. Public dissent and protest is treated heavy handedly by authorities. Dialogue that are considered at odds with "society" are censored, struck down and ridiculed. Public debate is no longer encouraged. Should a debate occur the topic is seldom discussed and nearly always degenerate to name calling and personal insults.
People with differing opinions are dismissed with a broad brush of labels - left-wing, right-wing, commie, fascist, moron, idiot, stupid, X-hugger, X-hater, appeaser, sympathiser, warmonger, tree-hugger, latte-drinker, chardonnay-sipper, patriot, nationalist, socialist, radical, conservative, fundamentalist, red-neck, nazi etc. This does not contribute to the debate or to free speech except to raise the heat of hate of both parties towards the other.
"Attack the messenger, distract from the message" is the mentality. You will never sway anyone with insults. Instead, you will only strengthen their resolve and harden their opinion. The disenfranchised and those of little or no voice are ostracised, ignored and forgotten. Extremism is given birth in this way. But, I digress.....
Cheers!