well, the America has definitely changed during last decade+. Yet, still it is somewhat surprising that there is a place you found you think is more free.
Australia has it's own issues on that front, look up Labor's recent proposal of data retention for electronic records or the infamous great firewall of Australia.
And as far as government's with regulatory zeal go, you've hit the motherload.
It's a lovely country (I've spent the last three years in Sydney and really and truly loved it) but don't kid yourself about the level of government intrusion in every. last. bloody. thing. It's maddening.
As I said, Australia isn't perfect by far. But at least the government isn't ignoring its core, founding principles like the US government has been doing the last couple decades.
I did mention nanny state in my original comment. To each their own. :)