The NSW State legislation banned organisations, be they unions, community groups or corporations, from making political donations. The legislation was supported in the NSW Parliament by an alliance of the Liberal, National and Greens political parties. However, the High Court ruled, in response to a challenge by Unions NSW, that the legislation violated the Australian Constitution by impinging on the right to freedom of political communication.
The unanimous decision is an important one which will help many generations of Australians campaign for political change through their unions, community groups and other organisations.
It was disappointing that the NSW State Government, with the support and intervention by all Liberal and National state governments across Australia, took this action but having it supported by the three political parties of the Greens, Liberals and National parties to take away Australians' rights under the Australian Constitution was very wrong.
We are very lucky in this country to have a court system separate from government and a body to protect our rights.
It's a great victory for Australians' rights, union and community rights. We owe a great debt to Unions NSW for challenging the legislation and our ASU Branches of USU and Services in NSW who took the challenge on with other NSW unions.
Well done and thanks!
