The Constitutional Systems of the Australian States and Territories

This book outlines the constitutional systems of the six Australian states and ten Commonwealth territories. It begins with their history, basic features, role and future within the Australian federation. Its primary focus is on the binding constitutional restrictions which impact on their parliaments and governments. These issues are also dealt with in relation to the three self-governing territories of the ACT, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island. It is the only Australian legal reference work of its kind which deals specifically with the constitutional systems of the states and territories. This book is for all law students and constitutional law teachers as well as legal advisors to commonwealth, state and territory governments and parliaments. It will also be of interest to Supreme, Federal, and High Court judges, political scientists working in the area of federalism and anyone with an interest in constitutional affairs. Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Table of cases......Page 15 Table of statutes......Page 27 Preface......Page 50 Abbreviations......Page 51 Map......Page 52 1 Introduction......Page 53 1.1 Role of the States......Page 54 1.2.1 Commonwealth–State financial relations......Page 60 1.2.2 History of federal cooperation......Page 63 1.2.3 Cooperative schemes......Page 65 1.2.3.1 The reference power: s 51(xxxvii)......Page 66 1.2.3.2 History of State referrals......Page 68 1.2.3.3 Other legislative mechanisms of federal cooperation......Page 69 1.2.3.4 Alternatives to the reference power......Page 70 1.2.3.5 Criticism......Page 72 1.2.4 Intergovernmental institutions and agreements......Page 73 1.2.4.1 Council of Australian Governments......Page 74 1.2.4.2 Treaties Council......Page 75 1.2.4.4 Intergovernmental agreements......Page 76 1.2.5 Reform......Page 77 1.2.6 Secession......Page 78 1.3 Role of the territories......Page 80 1.4.1 Modernisation of State Constitutions......Page 81 1.4.3 Bill of Rights......Page 82 1.4.4 Reconciliation......Page 83 1.4.7 Appointment of Governors and Administrators......Page 84 1.4.8 Recognition of local government......Page 85 1.5 Conclusion......Page 86 2.1 Introduction......Page 87 2.2 Autocratic rule......Page 89 2.3 Legislative Council......Page 91 2.4 Representative legislature......Page 92 2.5.1 New South Wales......Page 94 2.5.2 Van Diemen’s Land/Tasmania......Page 100 2.5.3 Western Australia......Page 101 2.5.4 South Australia......Page 103 2.5.5 Victoria......Page 105 2.5.6 Queensland......Page 107 2.5.7 New Zealand......Page 109 2.6 Federation and statehood......Page 111 2.6.1 Sections 106 and 107......Page 115 2.7 Democratic accountability: sovereignty of the people......Page 117 2.8 Termination of imperial power and restrictions: Australia Acts 1986......Page 118 2.8.1 Legislative package......Page 120 2.8.2 Reasons for dual legislation......Page 121 2.9 The future......Page 126 3.1 Introduction......Page 128 3.2 Process of enacting laws......Page 130 3.2.1 Process for ordinary Bills......Page 131 3.2.2 Instructions for assent......Page 134 3.2.3 Removal of Crown from legislative process......Page 135 3.3 Parliamentary control of finance......Page 137 3.3.1 Judicial review of financial procedures......Page 139 3.4.1 Deadlocks over financial Bills......Page 141 3.4.2 Deadlocks over other Bills......Page 143 3.4.3 Judicial review of legislative process......Page 146 3.4.4 Judicial intervention in the legislative process......Page 148 3.5 Parliamentary privilege......Page 150 3.7 Prorogation and dissolution......Page 153 4.1 Introduction......Page 155 4.2 State legislative power......Page 156 4.2.1 Status of State Constitution as a local Act......Page 157 4.2.2 A plenary power......Page 158 4.2.3 Fundamental rights......Page 160 4.3 Legislative power of self-governing territories......Page 165 4.4 Doctrine of separation of powers......Page 166 4.5 Restrictions on State power......Page 168 4.6 Protection of democratic government......Page 169 4.6.1 Parliament......Page 171 4.6.2 Implied freedom of political communication......Page 174 4.6.2.1 Implication from State Constitutions......Page 183 4.6.2.2 The territories......Page 185 4.7 Conclusion......Page 187 5.1 Introduction......Page 188 5.2 Reception of English law in the Australian colonies......Page 189 5.3 Paramount imperial law......Page 193 5.4 Repugnancy to imperial law......Page 195 5.5 Effect of Australia Acts 1986......Page 197 5.6 Self-governing territories......Page 198 6.1 Introduction......Page 201 6.2 Qualification to parliamentary sovereignty......Page 204 6.3 Justification for parliament to bind its successors......Page 205 6.3.1 Prevent implied repeal......Page 206 6.3.2 Restricting parliamentary sovereignty......Page 210 6.4.1 Section 6 Australia Acts 1986......Page 211 6.4.1.1 The prerequisites of section 6......Page 213 6.4.2.1 Pre-CLVA position......Page 231 6.4.2.2 Alternative grounds......Page 233 6.5 Entrenchment of manner and form provisions......Page 243 6.5.1 Prerequisite for double entrenchment......Page 245 6.6.1 New South Wales......Page 247 6.6.2 Queensland......Page 248 6.6.3 South Australia......Page 252 6.6.5 Victoria......Page 253 6.6.6 Western Australia......Page 255 6.7.1 Australian Capital Territory......Page 256 6.7.2 Northern Territory......Page 258 6.8 The Commonwealth......Page 259 6.9 Conclusion......Page 260 7.1 Introduction......Page 262 7.2 Land boundaries......Page 263 7.3 Sea boundaries......Page 264 7.3.1 Regime under the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973 (Cth)......Page 265 7.3.2 Commonwealth–State offshore settlement of 1979......Page 266 7.4 Concept of extraterritoriality......Page 267 7.5 Legal foundation of restriction......Page 268 7.6 Rationale for restriction......Page 271 7.6.1 Australia Acts 1986......Page 272 7.6.3 Statutory presumption......Page 274 7.7 Nature of a sufficient connection or nexus......Page 276 7.8 Categories of extraterritoriality......Page 280 7.8.1 General criminal jurisdiction......Page 290 7.8.1.1 Multiple or conflicting criminal jurisdictions......Page 293 7.8.1.2 Crimes at sea......Page 294 7.9 Extraterritoriality and choice of law rules......Page 295 7.10 Inconsistent State laws: constitutional and legislative solutions......Page 299 7.11 Court proceedings and extraterritoriality......Page 303 7.12 Restriction on executive power......Page 304 7.14 Restriction on territories......Page 305 8.1 Introduction......Page 307 8.2 Responsible government......Page 309 8.3.1 The Crown......Page 313 8.3.2 Powers of the Queen......Page 319 8.3.3 Role of Governors and Administrators......Page 320 8.3.3.1 Office of Governor......Page 322 8.3.3.2 Appointment......Page 323 8.3.3.3 Tenure......Page 325 8.3.3.4 Powers of Governor......Page 326 8.3.3.5 Reserve power......Page 334 Dismissal of Premier......Page 337 Illegality......Page 338 Loss of confidence/ rejection of supply......Page 341 Refusal of dissolution......Page 342 Refusal to act on advice......Page 344 Codification/abdication of reserve power......Page 345 8.3.4 Executive Council and Governor-in-Council......Page 346 8.3.5 Cabinet......Page 350 8.3.6 Ministers of State......Page 351 8.3.8 Caretaker governments......Page 354 8.3.10 The position in the ACT......Page 355 8.4 Scope of executive power......Page 357 8.4.1 Royal prerogative powers......Page 358 8.4.1.1 Source of royal prerogative powers......Page 359 8.4.1.2 Classification of prerogative powers......Page 360 8.4.1.3 The self-governing territories......Page 361 8.4.1.4 Judicial review of exercise of prerogative power......Page 362 8.4.1.5 Statutory abrogation......Page 363 8.4.1.6 Division of prerogatives between the Commonwealth, the States and the territories......Page 365 8.4.2 Power to engage in contracts and business enterprises......Page 367 8.4.3 Powers delegated to the Executive by parliament......Page 369 9.1 Introduction......Page 370 9.2 A State republican model: formal head of Executive......Page 372 9.2.2 Appointment......Page 376 9.2.4 Powers and functions......Page 379 9.2.5 Entrenchment......Page 381 9.3 Legal obstacles to State republicanism......Page 382 9.3.1 Section 7 Australia Acts 1986......Page 383 9.3.2 Entrenchment of a monarchical system......Page 384 9.4 A cocktail of republic and monarchy......Page 387 9.5.1 Section 51 (xxxviii)......Page 388 9.5.2 Section 128......Page 389 9.6 Conclusion......Page 391 10.1 Introduction......Page 392 10.2 State judicial systems......Page 393 10.3.1 Entrenched protection......Page 395 10.3.2 Doctrine of separation of powers......Page 396 10.4 Chapter III and the States......Page 401 10.4.1 Commonwealth position......Page 403 10.4.1.1 Commonwealth judicial power can be vested only in s 71 courts......Page 404 10.4.1.2 Non-judicial power cannot be vested in s 71 courts......Page 405 10.4.1.3 Commonwealth Parliament and Executive cannot exercise judicial power......Page 406 10.4.1.4 Commonwealth Parliament and Executive cannot impermissibly interfere in the exercise of judicial power.........Page 407 10.4.2.1 Existence of Supreme Courts......Page 408 10.4.2.2 Maintenance of ‘institutional integrity’......Page 409 Application of Kable principle......Page 412 Persona designata appointments of State judges......Page 416 Interference with tenure of State judges......Page 420 Incompatible interference in the judicial process......Page 421 Specific directions to a court......Page 423 A general interference......Page 425 10.6 Territories......Page 428 10.6.2 Australian Capital Territory......Page 430 10.6.3 Norfolk Island......Page 431 10.7 Chapter III and the territories......Page 432 10.7.1 The disjointed view......Page 435 10.7.2 The integration view......Page 439 10.7.2.1 Federal courts......Page 440 10.7.2.2 Territory courts......Page 442 10.8 Conclusion on territory judicial systems......Page 443 11.1 Introduction......Page 445 11.2.1 State surrender......Page 447 11.2.3 Commonwealth acquisition......Page 449 11.3 Nature of a territory......Page 450 11.4 The seat of government......Page 451 11.5 Commonwealth power over the territories......Page 454 11.6 Status of Commonwealth territories......Page 456 11.6.1 Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth)......Page 458 11.7 Restrictions on section 122 territories power......Page 459 11.7.1 Supporting a wide disjoinder......Page 460 11.7.2 Rejecting/confining disjoinder......Page 464 11.7.3 Characterisation of Commonwealth laws......Page 468 11.8 Grant of self-government......Page 470 11.9 Nature of legislative power of self-governing territories......Page 471 11.10.1 Restrictions on Commonwealth power......Page 472 11.10.1.1 Section 116 freedom of religion......Page 473 11.10.1.2 Implied freedom of political communication......Page 474 11.10.1.3 Section 51(xxxi)......Page 477 11.10.1.4 Section 55: restrictions on laws imposing taxation......Page 478 11.10.2.1 Section 90......Page 479 11.10.2.2 Section 118: full faith and credit clause Section 118 provides:......Page 480 11.10.2.4 Section 109......Page 481 11.10.3 Other restrictions on self-governing territories......Page 482 11.10.3.2 Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse......Page 483 11.10.3.3 Euthanasia......Page 484 11.11 Representation in the Commonwealth Parliament......Page 485 11.12 Territory to statehood......Page 486 11.13 Commonwealth surrender of a territory......Page 487 12.1 Introduction......Page 488 12.2.1 Constitutional history......Page 489 12.2.2.1 Legislative Assembly......Page 492 12.2.2.2 The Executive......Page 495 12.2.2.3 The Judiciary......Page 497 12.2.4 The future......Page 498 12.3 Jervis Bay Territory......Page 499 12.4.1 Constitutional history......Page 500 12.4.2.1 Legislative Assembly......Page 502 12.4.2.2 The Executive......Page 504 12.4.3 Commonwealth control......Page 507 12.4.4 Constitutional guarantees......Page 508 12.4.6 Representation......Page 509 12.4.7 The future......Page 510 12.5 External territories......Page 511 12.6.1 Constitutional history......Page 513 12.6.2.1 Legislative Assembly......Page 516 12.6.2.2 The Executive......Page 518 12.6.2.3 The Judiciary......Page 520 12.6.4 Commonwealth parliamentary representation......Page 521 12.6.6 Referenda......Page 522 12.6.7 Taxation regime......Page 523 12.6.8 The future......Page 524 12.6.9 Conclusion......Page 527 12.7 Indian Ocean Territories: Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands......Page 528 12.7.1 Territory of Christmas Island......Page 529 12.7.2 Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands......Page 530 12.8.2 Australian Antarctic Territory......Page 533 12.8.3 Coral Sea Islands Territory......Page 535 12.8.4 Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands......Page 536 12.9.1 Papua New Guinea......Page 537 12.9.2 Nauru......Page 539 APPENDIX 1 Constitutional Conventions adopted by Resolution of the Australian Constitutional Convention, Brisbane 29 July–1 August 1985......Page 541 APPENDIX 2 Northern Territory (Self-Government) Regulations 1978 (Cth) – Reg 4......Page 543 APPENDIX 3 Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 – Schedule 4......Page 546 APPENDIX 4 Ten Lessons from the Crisis over the Governor-General, Dr Peter Hollingworth (May 2003)......Page 549 Index......Page 551 Outlines The Constitutional Systems Of The Six Australian States And Ten Commonwealth Territories. Introduction -- Constitutional Evolution Of The States -- The Legislature -- Legislative Power -- Repugnancy -- Manner And Form -- Extraterritoriality -- Executive Power -- Republic -- Judicial Protection -- Commonwealth Territories' Power -- Commonwealth Territories. Gerard Carney. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.