Mulholland v Australian Electoral Commission [2002] FCA 1255

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Mulholland v Australian Electoral Commission [2002] FCA 1255

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – implications from Constitution – implied freedom of communication concerning government and political matters – whether provisions in Part XI of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) which regulate the registration of political parties by way of the "500 rule" and the "no overlap rule" infringe the implied freedom. ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – review of Register of Political Parties by the Australian Electoral Commission pursuant to s 138A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) – review of registration of Democratic Labor Party (DLP) of Australia - whether review constitutes a decision or conduct within meaning of s 5 or s 6 of the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) – whether Commission failed to consider the merits of the particular case – whether Commission acted for improper purpose - whether no evidence or other material to justify review – whether phrase "specified information" in s 138A(3) excludes documents – whether Commission entitled under s 138A(3) to request documents relevant to the infringement of "the no overlap rule" – whether privacy of DLP members is a relevant consideration which Commission bound to take into account in giving a s 138A(3) notice – whether s 138A(3) notice invalid – whether notice that Commission is considering deregistering the DLP under s 137(1)(d) constitutes a threat to deregister the DLP. Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) ss 4(1), 123(1), 124, 125, 126(1), 126(2), 126(2)(b), 126(2A), 130, 132, 133, 135, 134, 136, 136(1)(b)(ii), 137(1)(b), 137(1)(cb), 137(1)(d), 137(2), 137(5), 138, 138A, 138A(3) Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth) ss 5 and 6 Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) s 39B(1A) & 78B Commonwealth Electoral Legislation Amendment Act 1983 (Cth) s 42 Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Act (No 1) 2000 (Cth) No. 126, 2000 Electoral and Referendum Act (No 1) 2001 (Cth) No. 34, 2001 Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520, applied McGinty v Western Australia (1996) 186 CLR 140, referred to Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1992) 177 CLR 106, distinguished McClure v Australian Electoral Commission (1999) 163 ALR 734, followed Cunliffe v The Commonwealth of Australia (1994) 182 CLR 272, applied Richardson v Foresty Commission (1988) 164 CLR 261, cited Levy v Victoria (1997) 189 CLR 579, applied Kruger v The Commonwealth (1997) 190 CLR 1, considered Minister for Aboriginal Affairs v Peko-Wallsend (1986) 162 CLR 24, applied JOHN VINCENT MULHOLLAND v AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION V 6 OF 2002 MARSHALL J MELBOURNE 11 OCTOBER 2002