High Court declares implied freedom of political communication alive and well (mostly)
LibertyWorks Inc v Commonwealth of Australia [2021] HCA 18
The High Court of Australia, by majority of 5-2, has held that the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (Cth) (FITS Act) does not impermissibly burden the implied freedom of political communication by imposing registration obligations with respect to communications activities.
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The Federal Court approves a $112 million settlement for the failures of the Robodebt system
Katherine Prygodicz & Ors v The Commonwealth of Australia (No 2) [2021] FCA 634 (11 June 2021)
On 11 June 2021, the Federal Court of Australia approved the proposed settlement for a class action brought against the Commonwealth of Australia (the Commonwealth) for its use of an automated debt-collection system, which was intended to recover overpaid social security payments. The proposed settlement requires the Commonwealth to pay $112 million (inclusive of legal costs) in interest to certain group members, to not raise, demand or recover from certain group members any invalid debts, and to consent to court declarations that some of its administrative decisions were not validly made
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