Ruddick v The Commonwealth

HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIAKIEFEL CJ,GAGELER, KEANE, GORDON, EDELMAN, STEWARD AND GLEESON JJJOHN RUDDICK  PLAINTIFFANDCOMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA  DEFENDANTRuddick v Commonwealth of Australia[2022] HCA 9Date of Hearing: 15 February 2022Date of Order: 9 March 2022Date of Publication of Reasons: 25 March 2022S151/2021ORDERThe questions of law stated for the opinion of the Full Court in the Special Case filed on 3 December 2021 be answered as follows:1.Are any of items 7, 9, 11 and 14 of Sch 1 to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Party Registration Integrity) Act 2021 (Cth) invalid, in whole or in part, on the ground that they infringe the implied freedom of political communication?Answer: In relation to items 11 and 14 of Sch 1 to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Party Registration Integrity) Act 2021 (Cth), the answer is "No". Otherwise unnecessary to answer.2.Are any of items 7, 9, 11 and 14 of Sch 1 to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Party Registration Integrity) Act 2021 (Cth) invalid, in whole or in part, on the ground that they preclude the direct choice by the people of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, contrary to ss 7 and 24 of the Constitution?Answer: In relation to items 11 and 14 of Sch 1 to the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Party Registration Integrity) Act 2021 (Cth), the answer is "No". Otherwise unnecessary to answer.3.In light of the answers to Questions 1 and 2, what relief, if any, should issue?Answer:None.4.Who should pay the costs of and incidental to this special case?Answer:The plaintiff.RepresentationB W Walker SC...