Personally I do think the intention was to protect the integrity and fairness of the trials. I don’t think it worked (largely because there was already a decade or more of publicity before the order was put in place - the damage had already been done) but I do think that was the intent.
But I don’t think it was a good idea because it does make the whole process less transparent and even if it wasn’t abused this time, it will be at some point if this keeps happening.
What I think we actually need is Judge Only trials in cases like this - but Victoria is one of the only places in Australia where that doesn’t happen.
Thank you for your perspective.