Government funding of non-governmental organisations and the implied freedom of political communication: The constitutionality of gag clauses

This article considers the role of NGOs in our society, including advocating about important issues of public interest. They can make a valuable contribution to public debate. This role is challenged by the increasing use of so-called 'gag clauses' in funding agreements, under which funding for an NGO might be conditional upon their not entering into discussion about contentious public policy issues.