Freedom to take part in public life

Freedom to take part in public life extends to the right to vote, the right to engage in political activity, the right to contest public office and the right to public employment. Like freedom of expression, the right of all to take part in public life is a necessary precondition to our democratic system of government. The freedom to take part in public life, including the right to vote is recognised in Article 25 of the ICCPR. The right to vote is recognised in the Australian Constitution: sections 7, 24 and 41. Like freedom of expression, the right to take part in public life is qualified: the right to vote is limited to those able to cast an informed vote; qualifications such as citizenship may be imposed on candidates for public office; and registration and other requirements may be imposed on political parties. But these restrictions should nevertheless leave political activity and participation in public life generally free. A serious challenge to freedom of political activity comes from the growing cost of political campaigning and the role of political donations. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people or organisations without substantial financial resources to participate effectively in political activity. Furthermore, the increasing need for significant political donations threatens the integrity of the political process. These developments, unless checked, threaten the freedom to participate in public life and Liberty Victoria supports urgent attention to them. Freedom to take part in public life is also associated with the right to freedom of expression and freedom of thought and belief.