RESEARCH AND EVALUATION: The Combet Case and the Appropriation of Taxpayers' Funds for Political Advertising - An Erosion of Fundamental Principles?

This article contains a critical discussion of Combet v The Commonwealth (2005) and the reasons given by the High Court in that case, for dismissing the legal challenge to the present government's political advertising campaign in support of its Workchoice legislation which was conducted before...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian journal of public administration 2007-09, Vol.66 (3), p.307
Main Author: Lindell, Geoffrey
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accountability
Advertising campaigns
Court decisions
Government spending
Legislation
Political behavior
Studies
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:This article contains a critical discussion of Combet v The Commonwealth (2005) and the reasons given by the High Court in that case, for dismissing the legal challenge to the present government's political advertising campaign in support of its Workchoice legislation which was conducted before the publication or enactment of that legislation. It also deals with the implications of the case for the declining significance in modern times of the parliamentary appropriation process as a means of ensuring the accountability of governments for the expenditure of taxpayers' funds. The article concludes with a discussion of the possibility of future parliaments (regardless of their political complexion) reasserting their control over the appropriation process and restricting the use of government advertising for political purposes. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0313-6647
1467-8500
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8500.2007.00543.x