The freedoms of speech, association, assembly, religion, and movement are regarded as essential to a healthy democracy and strong civil society. A strong civil society develops when the public is encouraged to discuss and debate issues, when access to information and education is freely available, and when ordinary people are encouraged to be involved in community issues and local decision making processes.
Australians generally enjoy such freedoms, within the bounds of the law, but tensions often arise when governments make decisions that limit individual freedoms in order to protect national interests.
