Australian Constitution

1992

Nationwide News Pty Ltd v Wills

High Court of Australia(1992) 177 CLR 1

Key Principle

Recognised the implied freedom of political communication; struck down a provision criminalising criticism of the Industrial Relations Commission

Decided alongside Australian Capital Television, this case further established the implied freedom of political communication under the Constitution. The High Court struck down s 299(1)(d)(ii) of the Industrial Relations Act 1988, which made it an offence to use words calculated to bring the Industrial Relations Commission or its members into disrepute, holding it was inconsistent with the constitutionally implied freedom.

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