Horn v Australian Electoral Commission [2007] FCA 1827

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Horn v Australian Electoral Commission [2007] FCA 1827 PROCEDURE – application to dismiss proceeding – obligation on Australian Electoral Commission to screen voters from observation when marking ballot-papers – whether application relating to imminent likely repeated refusal of voter to vote gives rise to a 'matter' –whether applicant has sufficient material interest ELECTORAL LAW – obligation to screen voters from observation while they are marking the ballot paper – whether obligation requires provision of enclosed booths CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – whether a secret ballot is entrenched in the Constitution – whether a secret ballot requires voters to be screened from observation while marking ballot papers – whether secrecy of how the ballot paper is marked suffices DECLARATORY RELIEF – alternative discretionary factors - election imminent – consequence to applicant of alleged breach compared with potential widespread cost of disruption to Federal election Held: The application be dismissed. The respondent's notice of motion to dismiss the proceedings filed on 2 November 2007 be dismissed.

Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) s 15AA Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (Cth) ss 206, 233, 233(1), 233(1)(a), 233(1)(b), 245, 245(1), 245(8), 338, 348 Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) ss 31A, 31A(2) Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) ss 39B, 39B(1A)(c), 78B, 78B(1) Commonwealth Constitution ss 7, 24, 75, 76, 77 Federal Court Rules O 20 r 5 Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1992) 177 CLR 106 Coco v R (1994) 179 CLR 427 Croome v Tasmania (1997) 191 CLR 119 Degiorgio v Dunn (No 2) (2005) 62 NSWLR 284 Dey v Victorian Railway Commissioners (1949) 78 CLR 62 Duncan v Lipscombe Child Care Services Inc (2006) 150 IR 471 General Steel Industries Inc v Commissioner of Railways (NSW) (1964) 112 CLR 125 Horn v Australian Electoral Commission [2006] FCA 1778 Re Judiciary and Navigation Acts (1921) 29 CLR 257 McGinty v Western Australia(1996) 186 CLR 140 Mills v Meeking (1990) 169 CLR 214 Mulholland v Australian Electoral Commission (2004) 220 CLR 181 Nation Wide News Pty Ltd v Wills (1992) 177 CLR 1 Newcastle and Hunter River Steamship Co. Ltd. v Attorney-General for the Commonwealth (1921) 29 CLR 357 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85 Roach v Electoral Commissioner (2007) 239 ALR 1 Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steam Ship Co Ltd (the Engineers case) (1920) 28 CLR 129 Swain v Hillman [2001] 1 All ER 91 The State of South Australia v The State of Victoria (1911) 12 CLR 667 DIETER HANS GUSTAV HORN v AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION WAD 208 OF 2007