Political Communication: Australian Capital Television VS The Commonwealth

Question 1

What did this case deal with?

Answer 1

Commonwealth legislation that banned all political advertising on radio and TV during election periods

Question 2

What didn’t the Political Broadcasts and Political Disclosures Act allow

Answer 2

Time on TV or radio to any average citizen who wanted to publicise a political comment

Question 3

What did the High Court hold about the legislation

Answer 3

That the legislation was invalid as it overrode an implied constitutional right of freedom of political communication

Question 4

What did the justices indicate the constitution established

Answer 4

A system of representative government

Question 5

How did the justices suggest the only way for representative government to work?

Answer 5

Freedom for people to communicate about political issues

Question 6

What would happen if people weren’t able to talk about political issues

Answer 6

People wouldn’t be fully informed when choosing who to vote to represent them