Antivivisection and charity

After the National Anti-Vivisection Society had held the status of ‘charitable institution’ for more than five decades, in 1948 the House of Lords held it was not a charitable institution because its objectives were political, and also because any benefit to the public that flowed from abolishing vivisection was outweighed by the cost to society, in terms of medical research that was of benefit to mankind. In light of the historical background of both the Society and more recent developments in charity law in Australia, the question is asked whether the decision of the House of Lords still stands as good law today.