In relation to human rights, discuss the extent to which the Australian Constitution reflects changing values and ethical standards. - HSC - SSCE Legal Studies - Question 22 - 2024 - Paper 1

There are explicit rights in the Constitution, such as the right to freedom of religion (Section 116). While these rights offer a degree of protection, the Constitution does not list all the rights that Australians possess. The complexity of the Constitution often hinders the reflection of changing values.

An example of the challenges in reflecting these changing values is the 1988 referendum that aimed to embed rights within the Constitution. Despite its intention, the reform process did not succeed, indicating limitations in the Constitution's capacity to adapt.

Judicial interpretation of the Constitution can also play a significant role in ushing out ethical standards. The 1997 case, 'Leigh v Australia Broadcasting Corporation', illustrates how the High Court interprets implied rights related to freedom of political communication, further underscoring the difficulty in aligning constitutional provisions with evolving societal norms.

In conclusion, while the Constitution has mechanisms that allow for the reflection of changing values and ethical standards, real-world application, and the reform process's complexity often curtail this responsiveness.