Democracy is more fragile than some people might think. There are plenty of examples of countries that were once democracies that are now widely considered to be authoritarian i.e. Hungary, Russia after collapse of the Soviet Union.
Even democracies themselves are not perfect. Marginalised groups can still be oppressed in different ways even in a democracy.
For clear examples of this, see the democratic countries listed on this page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concentration_and_inte...
Democracy struggles on, and obviously existed before digital. Authorities have the right to enter the home of a suspected Russian or Chinese spy, or a pedophile, or a top level drug runner.
Access to digital traffic is something worth supporting when combined with the right to protest, for advocacy, and for checks and balances in warrants.
Australia isn't America.