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Issues in Australian Constitutional Law - LAWS3156
Basser Steps

 
Faculty: Faculty of Law
 
 
School:  Faculty of Law
 
 
Course Outline: See below
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 4
 
 
EFTSL: 0.08333 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 2
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: LAWS2150 Prerequisite: JRUD7250
 
 
Excluded: JURD7356
 
 
Fee Band: 3 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

A seven week, 4UOC course on selected topics in Australian constitutional law and conducted in seminar style. The first three weeks of the course centre on discussion and analysis of prepared materials. The remaining four weeks are allocated to student led seminars on topics selected for research essays. Emphasis is on recent constitutional litigation and material not developed in detail in compulsory courses. Issues for inclusion in the prepared materials and/or on the list of suggested research essay topics may include: status of Territories, contemporary problems about State Constitutions, just terms for acquisition of property, re-thinking the conciliation and arbitration power, technology and the Constitution, application of High Court decisions in lower courts, style and method in constitutional argument, developments on Chapter III, viability of proposals for amendment, standing in constitutional cases, amicus curiae, role of special leave in constitutional appeals.


Recommended Prior Knowledge

None

Course Objectives

The course seeks to:
  • Analyse important ideas in Australian constitutional law – especially those not dealt with in depth in other parts of the curriculum
  • Provide an introduction to the methods and focus of contemporary constitutional scholarship and current judicial review
  • Stimulate interest in constitutional research

Main Topics

  • Introduction: Thomas v Mowbray: Background and overview. The document trail. High Court summary. Submissions. Linkage with essay topics
  • Chapter III 'Matters': Definition of Chapter III matter. In Re Judiciary and Navigation Acts (1921) 29 CLR 527 (Advisory Opinions case). 'Matter' and the litigation in Re McBain; Ex parte Catholic Bishops Conference [2002] HCA 16; 209 CLR 372. Interveners and amicus curiae. Concept of non-justiciability. Justiciability and the 'Tampa litigation' (Ruddock v Vadarlis [2001] FCA 1329; 110 FCR 491.
  • Aspects of Commonwealth Executive Power: (a) Section 61 and the 'Tampa' incident. French J theory on implied executive power in Ruddock v Vadarlis [2001] FCA 1329; 110 FCR 491. The prerogative and implied executive power. (b) Australian military forces sent to Iraq. War powers prerogative and s 61. Power of Parliament to control the executive. Interpretation of s 68. Powers of US Congress and US President. Doe v Bush (2003).]
  • Controlling subversive organisations in wartime: War Precautions Act 1914 (Cth) and regulations. Lloyd v Wallach (1915) 20 CLR 299. Unlawful Associations Act 1916 (Cth). Pankhurst v Kiernan (1917) 24 CLR 120. National Security Act 1939 (Cth) and regulations. Discussion of Lloyd v Wallach in WWII cases. Banning of Communist Party in WWII. Adelaide Company of Jehovah’s Witnesses Inc v Commonwealth (1943) 67 CLR 116.

Assessment

Class presentation
Research essay (4,000 words)

Course Texts

Prescribed
The book of prepared materials covering Discussion Topics 1 and 2 is available from the UNSW Bookshop. The material for the Introduction and Discussion Topic 3 will be distributed in class.

Recommended
None.

Resources

Refer to Course Outline provided by lecturer.

URL for this page:

© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.