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AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONALLANDMARKS

Australian Constitutional Landmarks presents the mostsignificant cases and controversies in the Australianconstitutional landscape. Including the Communist Partycase, the dismissal of the Whitlam government, the Free Speech cases, a discussion of the race power, theLionel Murphy saga, and the Tasmanian Dam case, thisbook highlights turning points in the shaping of theAustralian nation since Federation.

Each chapter clearly examines the legal and politicalcontext leading to the case or controversy and theimpact on later constitutional reform. With contri-butions by leading constitutional lawyers, judges andtwo former chief justices, this book is sure to havelasting appeal to all members of the judiciary, lawyers,political scientists, historians and all people with aninterest in Australian politics, government and history.

H. P. Lee is the Sir John Latham Professor of Law atMonash University. The author of many legal works onAustralia, Singapore and Malaysia, he has been amember of various committees advising on the pressand humanitarian law. His most recent work, co-authored with Enid Campbell, is The Australian Judiciary.

George Winterton is Professor of Law at the Universityof New South Wales. He has published extensively in Australia and overseas and was a member of the Executive Government Advisory Committee of theConstitutional Commission, the Republic AdvisoryCommittee, and an appointed delegate to the Consti-tutional Convention.

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http://www.cambridge.org/9780521152853

AUSTRALIANCONSTITUTIONAL

LANDMARKS

Edited byH . P. L E E

Monash University, Melbourne

G E O R G E W I N T E RT O NUniversity of New South Wales, Sydney






CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

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© H. P. Lee & George Winterton 2003

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no reproduction of any part may take place without the written

permission of Cambridge University Press.

First published 2003

First paperback printing 2010

A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library

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Australian constitutional landmarks.

Includes index.

ISBN 0 521 83158 X.

1. Constitutional law – Australia – Cases.

I. Lee, H. P. (Hoong Phun).

342.94

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Contents

v

List of Cases viiList of Commonwealth Constitution Provisions xviiiList of Statutes xxList of Contributors xxiiiPreface xxvii

Introduction: The Commonwealth’s Constitutional Century xxixH. P. Lee and George Winterton

1 The Emergence of the Commonwealth Constitution 1John Williams

2 The Engineers Case 34Keven Booker and Arthur Glass

3 The Uniform Income Tax Cases 62Cheryl Saunders

4 The Bank Nationalisation Cases: The Defeat of Labor’s Most 85Controversial Economic InitiativePeter Johnston

5 The Communist Party Case 108George Winterton

6 Fitzpatrick and Browne: Imprisonment by a House 145of ParliamentHarry Evans

7 The Boilermakers Case 160Fiona Wheeler






vi

8 The Race Power: A Constitutional Chimera 180Robert French

9 The Double Dissolution Cases 213Sir Anthony Mason

10 1975: The Dismissal of the Whitlam Government 229George Winterton

11 The Tasmanian Dam Case 262Leslie Zines

12 The Murphy Affair in Retrospect 280Geoffrey Lindell

13 The Privy Council and the Constitution 312Sir Gerard Brennan

14 Cole v Whitfield: ‘Absolutely Free’ Trade? 335Dennis Rose

15 The ‘Labour Relations Power’ in the Constitution and 355Public Sector EmployeesMarilyn Pittard

16 The Implied Freedom of Political Communication 383H. P. Lee

Index 412






Cases

vii

Abley v Dale (1851) 20 LJ (CP) 235, …58Abrams v United States (1919) 250 US 616, …136Ackroyd v McKechnie (1986) 161 CLR 60, …352Actors and Announcers Equity Association of Australia v Fontana Films Pty

Ltd (1982) 150 CLR 169, …142, 272Adelaide Company of Jehovah’s Witnesses Inc v Commonwealth (1943) 67

CLR 116, …110, 135, 137, 139Airlines of New South Wales v New South Wales (No. 2) (1965) 113 CLR 54,

…50, 58, 60Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (1920) 14

CAR 428, …57Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (1920) 28

CLR 129, …xxxii, 34–60, 71, 83, 129, 141, 270, 278, 318, 320, 331,333, 334, 373, 381

Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (1921) 29CLR 406, …57

Ansett Transport Industries (Operations) Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1977) 139CLR 54, …393

Application for Registration of Association of Australian University Staff, Re(1981) 23 AILR [222], …369

Arena v Nader (1997) 71 ALJR 1604, …159 Asma Jilani v Government of Punjab [1972] PLD (SC) 139, …143 Attorney-General (Cth) v Colonial Sugar Refining Company Pty Ltd (1913) 17

CLR 644; [1914] AC 237, …316, 317, 320, 330Attorney-General (Cth) v Finch (No. 1) (1983) 155 CLR 102, …334Attorney-General (Cth) v Finch (No. 2) (1984) 155 CLR 107, …334 Attorney-General (Cth); Ex rel McKinlay v Commonwealth (1975) 135 CLR 1,

…334, 388, 397






Attorney-General (Cth) v R; Ex parte Boilermakers’ Society of Australia (1957)95 CLR 529; [1957] AC 288, …175, 177, 260, 318, 319, 326 332, 334

Attorney-General (Cth) v T & G Mutual Life Society Ltd (1978) 144 CLR161, …334

Attorney-General of Mauritius v Ramgoolam [1993] 3 LRC 82, …309 Attorney-General (NSW) v Trethowan (1931) 44 CLR 394, …257, 334 Attorney-General (NSW) v Trethowan (1932) 47 CLR 97; [1932] AC 526,

…328, 329, 334 Attorney-General for Ontario v Attorney-General for Canada [1912] AC 571,

…58, 320 Attorney-General (Victoria); Ex rel Black v Commonwealth (1981) 146 CLR

559, …79, 84Attorney-General (Victoria); Ex rel Dale v Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 237,

…104, 142 Attorney-General (WA) v Australian National Airlines Commission (1976)

138 CLR 492, …60 Austin v Commonwealth (2003) 77 ALJR 491, …49, 50, 59, 102Australian Broadcasting Corporation v Lenah Game Meats Pty Ltd (2001)

208 CLR 199; 185 ALR 1, …107, 401 Australian Capital Television v Commonwealth (1992) 104 ALR 389,

…406Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1992) 177 CLR 106,

…xxxi, xxxv, xxxvi, 32, 58, 107, 134, 143, 354, 383, 384, 386, 387,389, 391–5, 397, 398, 406–8

Australian Communist Party v Commonwealth (1951) 83 CLR 1, …xxxii,xxxvi, 103, 108, 124, 129–35, 137, 139–44, 212, 300, 310

Australian Education Union, Re; Ex parte Victoria (1995) 184 CLR 188,…49, 59, 84, 375, 376, 378, 381

Australian Insurance Staffs’ Federation v Accident Underwriters Association;Bank Officials’ Association v Bank of Australasia (1923) 33 CLR 517,…361, 365, 366

Australian National Airways Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1945) 71 CLR 29,…90, 103, 104, 142, 319

Australian National Airways Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (No. 2) (1946) 71CLR 115, …319, 332

Australian Social Welfare Union v Jobless Action Civic Community YouthSupport Scheme (1982) 2 IR 18, …379

Australian Workers’ Union v Adelaide Milling Co Ltd (1919) 26 CLR 460,…56

Bank of New South Wales v Commonwealth (1948) 76 CLR 1, …xxx, 85, 87,93, 98–101, 105, 106, 130, 140, 142, 337

Barley Marketing Board (NSW) v Norman (1991) 171 CLR 182, …338, 347,348, 352

viii CASES






Barnwell v Attorney-General [1994] 3 LRC 30, …309 Bath v Alston Holdings Pty Ltd (1988) 165 CLR 411, …339, 340, 342, 348,

352Baxter v Commissioners of Taxation (NSW) (1907) 4 CLR 1087, …37, 38,

58, 315, 317, 319Brandenburg v Ohio (1969) 395 US 444, …143 Brandy v Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (1995) 183

CLR 245, …173 Breen v Sneddon (1961) 106 CLR 406, …210 British Imperial Oil Co Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1925) 35

CLR 422, …175British Medical Association v Commonwealth (1949) 79 CLR 201, …104,

140, 142 Brown v Members of the Classification Review Board of the Office of Film &

Literature Classification (1998) 82 FCR 225; 154 ALR 67, …404, 410 Bruce v Cole (1998) 45 NSWLR 163, …307, 309Buck v Bavone (1976) 135 CLR 110, …307, 408 Builders’ Labourers Federation v Minister for Industrial Relations (1986)

7 NSWLR 372, …143 Builders’ Labourers Case (1914) 18 CLR 224, …316, 318 Burns v Ransley (1949) 79 CLR 101, …133, 137Caltex Oil (Australia) Pty Ltd v XL Petroleum (NSW) Pty Ltd (1983) 155

CLR 72, …334Castlemaine Tooheys Ltd v South Australia (1990) 169 CLR 436, …106,

338–41, 343, 344, 346, 348, 352, 353 Chapman v Tickner (1995) 55 FCR 316, …211 Chu Kheng Lim v Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic

Affairs (1992) 176 CLR 1, …196 Clark King & Co Pty Ltd v Australian Wheat Board (1978) 140 CLR 120,

…336, 352 Clayton v Heffron (1960) 105 CLR 214, …223, 334 Clenae Pty Ltd v Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd [1999] 2 VR

573, …107 Coco v R (1994) 179 CLR 427, …212 Cole v Whitfield (1988) 165 CLR 360, …xxx, xxxii, xxxiv, xxxv, 28, 84, 87,

96, 98, 99, 101, 106, 321, 325, 326, 333, 335, 337–42, 345, 347–9,351–4

Collector v Day (1870) 78 US (11 Wall.) 113, …37 Colonial Sugar Refining Company v Irving [1905] AC 369, …331 Commissioner for Motor Transport v Antill Ranger & Co Pty Ltd (1956) 94

CLR 177; [1956] AC 527, …325, 326, 334 Commissioners of Taxation (NSW) v Baxter (1907) 5 CLR 398; [1908] AC

214, …331, 332

CASES ix






Commonwealth v Bank of New South Wales (1949) 79 CLR 497; [1950] AC235, …xxx, xxxii, xxxvi, 100, 142, 319, 323–5, 332–4, 337

Commonwealth v Bogle (1953) 89 CLR 229, …83 Commonwealth v Cigamatic Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) (1962) 108 CLR 372,

…xxx, xxxvi, 48–50Commonwealth v Colonial Combing, Spinning and Weaving Co Ltd (1922) 31

CLR 421, …334 Commonwealth v John Fairfax & Sons Ltd (1980) 147 CLR 39, …395 Commonwealth v Kreglinger & Fernau Ltd and Bardsley (1926) 37 CLR 393,

…331Commonwealth v Limerick Steamship Co. (1924) 35 CLR 69, …331 Commonwealth v Queensland (1975) 134 CLR 298, …317 Commonwealth v Tasmania (1983) 158 CLR 1, …xxxiv, xxxvii, 28, 47, 48,

51, 58, 60, 84, 193, 194, 199, 205, 206, 210, 212, 262, 269, 272, 275,277, 278

Communications, Electrical, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing and AlliedServices Union of Australia v Commissioner Laing of the AustralianIndustrial Relations Commission (1998) 159 ALR 73, …410

Cooper v Commissioner of Income Tax (Queensland) (1907) 4 CLR 1304, …334Cormack v Cope (1974) 131 CLR 432, …213, 220, 221 Cormick, In the Marriage of (1984) 156 CLR 170, …142Crandall v Nevada (1867) 73 US (6 Wall.) 35, …408 Cunliffe v Commonwealth (1994) 182 CLR 272, …354, 409, 410 Davis v Commonwealth (1988) 166 CLR 79, …84, 334 Dawson v Commonwealth (1946) 73 CLR 157, …141 Deakin v Webb (1904) 1 CLR 585, …314, 315 D’Emden v Pedder (1904) 1 CLR 91, …36–8, 40, 41, 46, 58, 315Dennis v United States (1951) 341 US 494, …133Dennis Hotels Pty Ltd v Victoria (1961) 104 CLR 621; [1962] AC 25, …318Deputy Federal Commissioner of Taxation (NSW) v W R Moran Pty Ltd (1939)

61 CLR 735, …76, 84Duncan v Kahanamoku (1946) 327 US 304, …143 Eastman v R (2000) 203 CLR 1, …57 Ebner v Official Trustee in Bankruptcy (2000) 205 CLR 377, …105 Egan v Chadwick (1999) 46 NSWLR 563, …259 Egan v Willis (1998) 195 CLR 424, …159, 258, 309 Essendon Corporation v Criterion Theatres (1947) 74 CLR 1, …58, 83 Farey v Burvett (1916) 21 CLR 433, …xxxFederal Commissioner of Taxation v Munro; British Imperial Oil Co Ltd v

Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1926) 38 CLR 153, …175, 258, 334 Federated Amalgamated Government Railway and Tramway Services

Association v New South Wales Railway Traffic Employees’ Association(1906) 4 CLR 488, …37, 38, 40, 41, 56, 381

x CASES






Federated Engine Drivers and Firemen’s Association of Australasia v BrokenHill Co Pty Ltd (1911) 12 CLR 398, …37

Federated Municipal and Shire Council Employees’ Union of Australia v TheLord Mayor Alderman Councillors and Citizens of the City of Melbourne(1919) 26 CLR 508, …363, 364, 367, 368, 379

Federated State School Teachers’ Association of Australia v Victoria (1929) 41CLR 569, …60, 363, 365–7, 370, 371, 374, 379, 380

Fish Board v Paradiso (1956) 95 CLR 443, …352 Flint v Webb (1907) 4 CLR 1178, …316 Foggitt, Jones & Co Ltd v New South Wales (1916) 21 CLR 357, …354 Fox v Robbins (1909) 8 CLR 115, …105 Freightlines & Construction Holding Ltd v New South Wales (1967) 116 CLR

1; [1968] AC 625, …325Georgeadis v Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation (1994)

179 CLR 297, …106 Gerhardy v Brown (1985) 159 CLR 70, …210 O. Gilpin Ltd v Commissioner for Road Transport and Tramways (NSW)

(1935) 52 CLR 189, …32Gould v Brown (1998) 193 CLR 346, …178 Grace Bros Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1950) 82 CLR 357, …332, 333 Grannall v Marrickville Margarine Pty Ltd (1995) 93 CLR 55, …106 Grey v Pearson (1857) 6 HLC 61; 10 ER 1216, …58Grollo v Palmer (1995) 184 CLR 348, …178, 307Groppi v Leslie (1972) 404 US 496, …158 Ha v New South Wales (1997) 189 CLR 465, …353Hardy v Fothergill (1888) 13 App Cas 351, …58Harris v Wagner (1959) 103 CLR 452, …106 Hematite Petroleum v Victoria (1983) 157 CLR 599, …79, 84 Higgins v Commonwealth (1998) 79 FCR 528, …394 Hilton v Wells (1985) 157 CLR 57, …172 Hirabayashi v United States (1943) 320 US 81, …143 Hodge v R (1883) 9 App Cas 117, …320, 329 Horta v Commonwealth (1994) 181 CLR 183, …203, 276 Hospital Provident Fund Ltd v Victoria (1953) 87 CLR 1, …333, 352 Huddart, Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Moorehead (1909) 8 CLR 330, …xxx,

105, 175 Hughes & Vale Pty Ltd v New South Wales (1954) 93 CLR 1, …324, 334 Hughes & Vale Pty Ltd v New South Wales (No. 2) (1955) 93 CLR 127,

…106Independent Commission Against Corruption v Cornwall (1993) 28 NSWLR

207, …395, 410 Inland Revenue Commissioners v Herbert [1913] AC 326, …58Jacobsen v Rogers (1995) 182 CLR 572, …60

CASES xi






James v Commonwealth (1935) 52 CLR 570, …332 James v Commonwealth (1936) 55 CLR 1; [1936] AC 578, …xxx, 105, 322,

323, 325, 326 James v Commonwealth (1939) 62 CLR 339, …323, 334James v Cowan (1930) 43 CLR 386, …105, 122James v Cowan (1932) 47 CLR 386; [1932] AC 542, …105, 318, 321, 323,

325, 326John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd v Attorney-General (NSW) (2000) 181 ALR

694, …402–4John Pfeiffer Pty Ltd v Rogerson (2000) 203 CLR 503, …333 Johnston Fear & Kingham & Offset Printing Co Pty Ltd v Commonwealth

(1943) 67 CLR 314, …175 Jones v Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration (1917) 24 CLR

396; [1917] AC 528, …318 Judiciary and Navigation Acts, Re (1921) 29 CLR 257, …105, 167, 173,

177, 260Jumbunna Coal Mine NL v The Victorian Coal Miners’ Association (1908)

6 CLR 309, …357, 363, 364, 366–8, 371, 378, 380 Jurney v MacCracken (1935) 294 US 125, …158 Kartinyeri v Commonwealth (1998) 195 CLR 337, …xxxiii, 181, 192, 199,

205–8, 210, 212 Kartinyeri v Commonwealth (No. 2) (1998) 72 ALJR 1334, …310 Kable v Director of Public Prosecutions (NSW) (1996) 189 CLR 51, …172,

260, 307 King Ansell v Police [1979] 2 NZLR 531, …210 King v Burrell (1840) 2 Ad & El 460; 113 ER 886, …58Kirmani v Captain Cook Cruises Pty Ltd (No. 2) (1985) 159 CLR 461, …317 Kitano v Commonwealth (1975) 132 CLR 231, …334 Koowarta v Bjelke-Petersen (1982) 153 CLR 168, …xxx, 51, 107, 192,

194–6, 206, 211, 269–71, 273, 278 Korematsu v United States (1944) 323 US 214, …143 Kruger v Commonwealth (1997) 190 CLR 1, …143, 199, 211 Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520, …xxx,

xxxv, 31, 58, 107, 143, 258, 310, 333, 334, 398–403, 405 Langer v Commonwealth (1996) 186 CLR 302, …31, 409 Lardill Peoples v Queensland (2001) 108 FCR 453, …212Lee, Re; Ex parte Harper (Minister for Justice and Attorney General for

Queensland) (1986) 160 CLR 430, ...59, 375, 380, 381 Leeth v Commonwealth (1992) 174 CLR 455, …178, 179, 196 Le Mesurier v Connor (1929) 42 CLR 481, …175 Levy v Victoria (1997) 189 CLR 579, …143, 397, 401Little v Commonwealth (1947) 75 CLR 94, …141 Liversidge v Anderson [1942] AC 206, …143

xii CASES






Lloyd v Wallach (1915) 20 CLR 299, …128, 129, 131, 132, 141–3LNC Industries v BMW (Australia) Ltd (1983) 151 CLR 575, …331 Lochner v New York (1905) 198 US 45, …55Lockwood v Commonwealth (1954) 90 CLR 177, …317 Mabo v Queensland (No. 1) (1988) 166 CLR 186, …197 Mabo v Queensland (No. 2) (1992) 175 CLR 1, …xxxiii, 196–8McCarter v Brodie (1950) 80 CLR 432, …324, 325, 327, 334 McCawley v R (1918) 26 CLR 9, …334 McCawley v R (1920) 28 CLR 106; [1920] AC 691, …327, 329 McClure v Australian Electoral Commission (1999) 163 ALR 734, …409 McCulloch v Maryland (1819) 17 US (4 Wheat.) 316, …36, 37McGinty v Western Australia (1996) 186 CLR 140, …54, 58, 334, 397–9,

409McGrain v Daugherty (1927) 273 US 135, …158 McGraw-Hinds (Aust) Pty Ltd v Smith (1979) 144 CLR 633, …408McIlwraith McEachern Ltd v Shell Co of Australia Ltd (1945) 70 CLR 175,

…316, 331 McLean, Ex parte (1930) 43 CLR 472, …332 Marbury v Madison (1803) 5 US (1 Cranch) 137, …23, 132 Marcus Clarke & Co Ltd v Commonwealth (1952) 87 CLR 177, …141 Matter of Certain Complaints under Investigation by an Investigating

Committee of the Judicial Council of the Eleventh Circuit (1986) 783 F 2d1488, …309

Melbourne Corporation v Commonwealth (1947) 74 CLR 31, …xxx, xxxvi,28, 48–50, 57–60, 74, 76, 80, 83, 84, 89, 90, 92, 96, 102, 103, 105, 142

Metal Trades Employers Association v Boilermakers Society of Australia (1955)81 CAR 112, …176

Mewett v Commonwealth (1998) 191 CLR 471, …106 Milicevic v Campbell (1975) 132 CLR 307, …142 Miller v TCN Channel Nine Pty Ltd (1986) 161 CLR 556, …336, 353, 393,

394, 408 Miller v Salomons (1852) 7 Ex 475; 155 ER 1036, …58Milligan, Ex parte (1866) 71 US (4 Wall.) 2, …143 Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs v Wu Shan Liang (1996) 185

CLR 259, …307 Minister for Trading Concerns v Amalgamated Society of Engineers [1923] AC

170, …57 Minister for Works (WA) v Gulson (1944) 69 CLR 338, …60 W. R. Moran Pty Ltd v Deputy Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1940) 63

CLR 338; [1940] AC 838, …71, 83 Mulholland v Australian Electoral Commission (2002) 193 ALR 710,

…410Murphy v Lush (1986) 60 ALJR 523, …309, 310

CASES xiii






Nationwide News Ltd v Wills (1992) 177 CLR 1, …xxxi, xxxv, xxxvi, 58,134, 354, 383, 386, 387, 389, 391–3, 395, 397, 398, 406

Nelson, Ex parte (No. 1) (1928) 42 CLR 209, …354 Nelson, Ex parte (No. 2) (1929) 42 CLR 258, …332Nelungaloo Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1950) 81 CLR 144; [1951] AC 34,

…332Nelungaloo Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (No. 4) (1953) 88 CLR 529, …332 New South Wales v Commonwealth (1908) 7 CLR 179, …81 New South Wales v Commonwealth (1915) 20 CLR 54, …162, 163, 175, 333 New South Wales v Commonwealth (1975) 135 CLR 337, …107 New South Wales v Commonwealth (1990) 169 CLR 482, …84 Newcrest Mining (WA) v Commonwealth (1997) 190 CLR 513, …333 Nixon v United States (1993) 506 US 224, …296, 308 North v Tamplin (1881) 8 QBD 235, …58North Eastern Dairy Co Ltd v Dairy Industry Authority of NSW (1975) 134

CLR 559, …338, 346, 354 North Ganalanja Aboriginal Corporation v Queensland (1996) 185 CLR 595,

…212Northern Territory v GPAO (1999) 196 CLR 553, …331 O’Reilly v State Bank of Victoria Commissioners (1983) 153 CLR 1, …84 Osborne v Commonwealth (1911) 12 CLR 321, …333 O’Sullivan v Noarlunga Meat Ltd (1956) 95 CLR 177, …332O’Sullivan v Noarlunga Meat Ltd (No. 2) (1956) 94 CLR 367, …332, 333Peanut Board v Rockhampton Harbour Board (1933) 48 CLR 266, …105,

321, 322, 352Pedder v D’Emden (1903) 2 Tas LR 146, …36 Peterswald v Bartley (1904) 1 CLR 497, …46 Pirrie v McFarlane (1925) 36 CLR 170, …318, 332 Pitfield v Franki (1970) 123 CLR 448, …380, 381 Plaintiff S157 v Commonwealth (2003) 77 ALJR 454, …104 Polites v Commonwealth (1945) 70 CLR 60, …203 Polyukhovich v Commonwealth (1991) 172 CLR 501, …142, 144, 178, 179Popovic v Herald and Weekly Times Ltd [2002] VSC 174 (21 May 2002),

…310, 403 Powell v Apollo Candle Co (1885) 10 App Cas 282, …320, 329 Power v Coleman [2002] 2 Qd R 620, …402, 410 Prize Cases (1863) 67 US (2 Black) 635, …143 Proprietors of the Daily News Ltd v Australian Journalists’ Association (1920)

27 CLR 352, …380 Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital v Thornton (1953) 87 CLR 144, …334 Queensland Electricity Commission v Commonwealth (1985) 159 CLR 192,

…50, 84 R v Barger (1908) 6 CLR 41, …57, 82

xiv CASES






R v Bertrand (1867) LR 1 PC 520, …331 R v Burah (1878) 3 App Cas 889, …58, 320, 329 R v Burgess; Ex parte Henry (1936) 55 CLR 608, …268, 275, 277 R v Clarkson; Ex parte Australian Telephone and Phonogram Officers’

Association (1982) 56 ALJR 224, …371 R v Coldham & Ors; Ex parte Australian Social Welfare Union (1983) 153

CLR 297, …xxxv, 356–8, 365–8, 372–8, 380 R v Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Commission; Ex parte

Association of Professional Engineers (1959) 107 CLR 208, …366, 367,371, 380

R v Commonwealth Court of Conciliation and Arbitration; Ex parte Victoria(1942) 66 CLR 488, …374, 381

R v Federal Court of Bankruptcy; Ex parte Lowenstein (1938) 59 CLR 55,…163, 174, 175

R v Findlay; Ex parte Victorian Chamber of Manufactures (1950) 81 CLR537, …140

R v Foster; Ex parte The Commonwealth Life (Amalgamated) Assurances Ltd(1952) 85 CLR 138, …176

R v Holmes; Ex parte Public Service Association of New South Wales (1977)140 CLR 63, …369–71, 374, 380

R v Hughes (2000) 202 CLR 535, …84 R v Hush; Ex parte Devanny (1932) 48 CLR 487, …135 R v Joske; Ex parte Australian Building Construction Employees and Builders’

Labourers’ Federation (1974) 130 CLR 87, …172, 173 R v Joske; Ex parte Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (1976)

135 CLR 194, …178 R v Kellett [1976] QB 372, …158 R v Kirby; Ex parte Boilermakers’ Society of Australia (1956) 94 CLR 254,

…xxxiii, xxxvi, 58, 140, 160–8, 170–8, 260 R v Liverpool Justices (1883) 11 QBD 638, …58R v Ludeke; Ex parte Builders Labourers’ Federation (1985) 159 CLR 636,

…142R v McMahon; Ex parte Darvall (1982) 151 CLR 57, …369, 370, 379–81 R v Marshall and the Australian Bank Officials Association; Ex parte

Federated Clerks Union of Australia (1975) 132 CLR 595, …361, 368–71,381

R v Metal Trades Employers’ Association; Ex parte Amalgamated EngineeringUnion, Australian Section (1951) 82 CLR 208, …164, 166, 176

R v Murphy (1985) 4 NSWLR 42, …306 R v Richards; Ex parte Fitzpatrick and Browne (1955) 92 CLR 157, …xxx,

xxxi, xxxiii, xxxvi, 145, 154–7, 159, 392 R v Sharkey (1949) 79 CLR 121, …133, 137 R v Smithers; Ex parte Benson (1912) 16 CLR 99, …394

CASES xv






R v Spicer; Ex parte Australian Builders’ Labourers’ Federation (1957) 100CLR 277, …178

R v Vizzard; Ex parte Hill (1933) 50 CLR 30, …103, 105, 321–3, 325 R v Wright; Ex parte Waterside Workers’ Federation of Australia (1955) 93

CLR 528, …176 Rees v Crane [1994] 2 AC 173, …309, 310 Registrar of Supreme Court v McPherson [1980] 1 NSWLR 688, …158 Registrar of Western Australia Industrial Relations Commission v

Communications, Electrical, Energy, Information, Postal, Plumbing andAllied Workers Union of Australia, Engineering and Electrical Division WABranch [1999] WASCA 170, …410

Reid, Re; Ex parte Bienstein [2001] HCA 54 (21 September 2001),…290, 294, 297, 307

Reid v Sinderberry (1944) 68 CLR 504, …141 Richardson v Forestry Commission (1988) 164 CLR 261, …279, 353 Roberts v Bass (2002) 194 ALR 161, …107 Robtelmes v Brenan (1906) 4 CLR 395, …186 Rola Co (Australia) Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1944) 69 CLR 185, …175 Rowley v O’Chee [2000] 1 Qd R 207, …159 Scales v United States (1961) 367 US 203, …143 Sellars v Coleman [2001] 2 Qd R 565, …410 Shell Company of Australia Ltd v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1930) 44

CLR 530; [1931] AC 275, …327 Shrimpton v Commonwealth (1945) 69 CLR 613, …141 Silver Bros Ltd, Re [1932] AC 514, …74, 75, 84Slaughter House Cases (1873) 83 US (16 Wall.) 36, …26, 33SOS (Mowbray) Pty Ltd v Mead (1972) 124 CLR 529, …106 South Australia v Commonwealth (1942) 65 CLR 373, …xxxii, xxxvi, 58,

62, 64, 69, 72, 74, 76–80, 82, 83, 102, 274, 278 Southern Centre of Theosophy Inc v South Australia (1979) 145 CLR 246,

…334State Public Services Federation, Re; Ex parte Attorney-General (WA) (1993)

178 CLR 249, …59 Stenhouse v Coleman (1944) 69 CLR 457, …102 Stephens v Western Australia Newspapers Ltd (1994) 182 CLR 211, …396–9,

401Street v Queensland Bar Association (1989) 168 CLR 461, …33 Strickland v Rocla Concrete Pipes Ltd (1971) 124 CLR 468, …xxx, xxxvi,

60, 105, 278 Sussex Peerage Case (1844) 11 Cl & Fin 85; 8 ER 1034, …58Switzman v Elbling [1957] SCR 285, …143 Tasmania v Commonwealth (1904) 1 CLR 329, …46, 58, 333 Tasmania v Victoria (1935) 52 CLR 157, …354

xvi CASES






Theophanous v Herald and Weekly Times Ltd (1994) 182 CLR 104, …58,107, 334, 390, 395–9, 401, 410

Tickner v Chapman (1995) 57 FCR 451, …211Thomas v Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago [1982] AC 113, …309Uebergang v Australian Wheat Board (1980) 145 CLR 266, …106, 336, 337,

353, 408 United States v Brown (1965) 381 US 437, …144 Uther v Federal Commissioner of Taxation (1947) 74 CLR 508, …60Vacher & Sons Ltd v London Society of Compositors [1913] AC 107, …58Victoria v Commonwealth (1926) 38 CLR 399, …76, 78, 84Victoria v Commonwealth (1957) 99 CLR 575, …xxxii, xxxvi, 59, 62, 64,

70, 71, 74–7, 79, 80, 82–4Victoria v Commonwealth (1971) 122 CLR 353, …48, 53Victoria v Commonwealth (1975) 134 CLR 81, …213, 222, 225–8, 253, 257 Victoria v Commonwealth (1975) 134 CLR 338, …84, 259 Victoria v Commonwealth (1975) 135 CLR 337, …107 Victoria v Commonwealth (1996) 187 CLR 416, …277–9, 382 Victorian Stevedoring & General Contracting Co Pty Ltd v Dignan (1931) 46

CLR 73, …163, 168, 175, 333 Viro v R (1976) 141 CLR 88, …333W & A McArthur Ltd v Queensland (1920) 28 CLR 530, …323 Wakim, Re; Ex parte McNally (1999) 198 CLR 511, …xxx, 173, 174, 178 Walsh, Ex parte (1942) 48 ALR 359, …128, 141, 143 Walsh and Johnson, Ex parte; In re Yates (1925) 37 CLR 36, …127, 142, 307Waterside Workers’ Federation of Australia v J W Alexander Ltd (1918) 25

CLR 434, …162, 163, 175 Webb v Outtrim (1906) 4 CLR 356; [1907] AC 81, …37–8, 58, 315–17,

320, 330 West v Commissioner of Taxation (NSW) (1937) 56 CLR 657, …45, 57–9Western Australia v Commonwealth (1975) 134 CLR 201, …107, 213, 227,

253Western Australia v Commonwealth (1995) 183 CLR 373, …192, 194–6,

206, 210–12 Western Australia v Wilsmore (1982) 149 CLR 79, …334 Whitehouse v Queensland (1961) 104 CLR 635, …317Williamson v Ah On (1926) 39 CLR 95, …142 Wilson v Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (1996) 189

CLR 1, …177, 178, 211, 260, 307 Yates v United States (1957) 354 US 298, …143 Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co v Sawyer (1952) 343 US 579, …133, 143

CASES xvii






Commonwealth Constitution Provisions

xviii

Chapter I …161, 166–7, 169s.1 …161, 167, 169, 388s.5 …254, 303s.7 …388–9, 394, 398–400, 409s.12 …232 s.15 …234 s.23 …235 s.24 …388–9, 394, 398–400, 409 s.28 …254 s.44(iv) …235s.49 …xxx, xxxiii, 145, 146, 150, 152–5, 157, 293, 294, 309 s.50 …153 s.51 …xxxi, 11, 35, 94, 169, 199, 270, 333 s.51(i) …97, 100, 101, 272 s.51(ii) …50, 75, 79, 81s.51(vi) …115, 140 s.51(xiii) …50, 92, 94–7, 100, 101, 105s.51(xiv) …50s.51(xix) …208 s.51(xx) …xxxiv, 92, 94, 105, 266, 272 s.51(xxvi) …xxxiii, 180, 185–96, 198, 201–3, 206, 266, 273 s.51(xxvii) …208 s.51(xxix) …xxxiv, 193, 266, 268, 270, 275, 277 s.51(xxxi) …92, 93, 95, 98, 101, 104–6, 198, 274, 406, 407 s.51(xxxv) …xxxv, 37, 41, 47, 57, 169, 318, 355–8, 362, 363, 370,

372–4, 376 s.51(xxxvii) …142 s.51(xxxix) …92, 115, 153, 292, 294, 299






COMMONWEALTH CONSTITUTION PROVISIONS xix

s.52 …371, 372, 381 s.53 …214, 215, 242 s.57 …xxxi, xxxiii, xxxiv, 107, 123, 213–18, 220–7, 233, 242,

245, 253, 254, 298, 309 s.58 …215 Chapter II …xxix, 161, 166–7, 169s.61 …115, 161, 167, 169, 247, 388 s.62 …388 s.64 …243, 249, 400 Chapter III …161–3, 166–70, 172–4, 290, 294, 317s.71 …160, 161, 167, 169 s.72 …xxxiv, 162, 280, 285, 291, 303, 305, 307s.72(ii) …xxxiv, 287–92, 294–300, 303, 306s.73 …163 s.74 …22, 42, 96, 101, 140, 314, 316, 317, 319, 320, 324, 329,

330s.75 …167, 207 s.75(iii) …96, 104, 105 s.75(v) …104, 309 s.76 …167 s.76(i) …140 s.83 …244–7s.87 …81s.89 …81s.90 …4, 46, 78, 344, 353 s.92 …xxxi, xxxii, xxxv, 4, 87, 90, 92, 93, 95–8, 100, 101, 103,

106, 107, 276, 318, 321–6, 335–8, 341–3, 345–52, 354, 394,406, 407

s.93 …81 s.94 …81 s.96 …xxxii, 63, 64, 73, 76, 79s.100 …4 s.105 …93 s.105A …95, 81 s.107 …35, 41, 126 s.109 …xxxi, 38, 41, 47, 50, 183, 319 s.114 …50 s.116 …276 s.117 …25s.127 …185, 187, 188 s.128 …xxxii, 180, 388, 398, 400






Statutes

xx

Commonwealth

A New Tax System (Commonwealth–State Financial Arrangements) Act 1999,…84

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984, …199–202Approved Defence Projects Protection Act 1947, …137 Archives Act 1983, …157 Australia Act 1986, …329 Banking Act 1945, …45, 88Banking Act 1947, …85, 87, 89–91, 95Bankruptcy Act 1924, …163 Broadcasting Act 1942, …384, 385Commonwealth Bank Act 1911, …100 Commonwealth Bank Sale Act 1975, …107 Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904. see Conciliation and

Arbitration Act 1904 (Cth)Commonwealth Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1949 (Cth), …137 Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, …409 Communist Party Dissolution Act 1950, …108, 115, 126, 127, 131–4, 137,

138, 142 Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904, …35, 38, 42, 164, 175, 355, 357,

359, 360, 362, 364, 366, 370–3, 375, 376, 381 Conciliation and Arbitration Act 1904–1952, …319, 369 Conciliation and Arbitration Act (No. 2) 1983, …381 Crimes Act 1914, …126, 140, 159 High Court of Australia Act 1979, …307 Hindmarsh Island Bridge Act 1997, …200–3Immigration Restriction Act 1901, …209 Income Tax Act 1942, …66, 68, 73, 76, 80Income Tax (Arrangements with the States) Act 1978, …84






Income Tax (Arrangements with the States) Repeal Act 1989, 84 Income Tax Assessment Act 1922–25, …327 Income Tax Assessment Act 1936–41, …81 Income Tax Assessment Act 1942, …66, 80 Income Tax and Social Services Contribution Assessment Act 1936–56, …80, 82Income Tax (War Time Arrangements) Act 1942, …66, 68, 73, 80Industrial Relations Act 1988, …355, 372, 376, 379, 381, 383 Judiciary Act 1903, …39, 50, 307, 315, 316, 318, 332 Judiciary Act 1907, …332 Judiciary Act 1968, …332 Migration Act 1958, …196, 409 National Emergency (Coal Strike) Act 1949, …137 National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975, …265, 268 Native Title Act 1993, …196, 198, 202, 211 Pacific Labourers Act 1903, …186 Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry Act 1986, …287, 300, 305, 306, 308 Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (Repeal) Act 1986, …305 Parliamentary Papers Act 1908, …153 Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987, …xxxiii, 150, 153–5, 309Political Broadcasts and Political Disclosures Act 1991, …384 Privy Council (Appeals from the High Court) Act 1975, …329 Privy Council (Limitation of Appeals) Act 1968, …328, 332Public Service Arbitration Act 1920, …371 Racial Discrimination Act 1975, …107, 192, 193, 197, 198, 269, 273 Reserve Bank Act 1959, …107Royal Commissions Act 1902, …316, 317 Senate (Representation of Territories) Act 1973, …223, 224 States Grants (Income Tax Reimbursement) Act 1942, …66, 70, 72, 73, 75,

76, 80States Grants (Personal Income Tax Sharing) Act 1976, …84 States Grants (Tax Reimbursement) Act 1946–48, …80 Workplace Relations Act 1996, …355, 376–9, 382 Workplace Relations and other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 1996, …382World Heritage Properties Conservation Act 1983, …194, 266, 268, 271, 273

Commonwealth Regulations

National Security (General) Regulations 1939, …135 National Security (Industrial Peace) Regulations 1940, …381 National Security (Subversive Associations) Regulations 1940, …110, 135, 137World Heritage (Western Tasmania Wilderness) Regulations 1983, …265, 271

New South Wales

Constitution Act 1902, …258, 304, 311, 328Constitution (Amendment) Act 1992, …311

STATUTES xxi






Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1998, …395 Judicial Officers Act 1986, …311 Marketing of Primary Products Act 1993, …347 Supreme Court Act 1970, …402

Queensland

Constitution Act 1867, …327 Industrial Arbitration Act 1916, …327 Land Act 1968, …193 Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985, …197Vagrants, Gaming and Other Offences Act 1931, …402

Tasmania

Gordon Hydro-Electric Development Act 1982, …264, 267National Parks and Wildlife Act 1970, …264

Victoria

Business Franchise (Tobacco) Act 1974, …339, 340 Commonwealth Powers (Industrial Relations) Act 1996, …382 Federal Awards (Uniform System) Act 2003, …377Income Tax Act 1895, …314 Magistrates’ Court Act 1989, …410 Transport Regulation Act 1958, …324

Japan

Constitution of Japan, …140

South Africa

Group Areas Act 1966, …203

United Kingdom

Act of Settlement 1701, …290 Bill of Rights 1689, …297, 309 Constitution Act 1867 (formerly British North America Act 1867 ), …14, 15,

209, 320 Federal Council of Australasia Act 1885, …10, 11Parliament Act 1911, …226, 244Representation of the People Act 1832, …258 Western Australia Act 1829, …29

United States

Smith Act 1940, …133 United States Constitution, …15, 24, 25, 133, 138, 146, 161, 166, 209, 252,

294, 296, 308, 386, 391

xxii STATUTES






Contributors

xxiii

Keven Booker has taught at the University of New South Wales for manyyears. His principal interests are constitutional law and the High Court.He is the co-author of Federal Constitutional Law (2nd edn, 1998).

Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE is a former Chief Justice of Australia. He wasappointed as a Judge of the Australian Industrial Court and the SupremeCourts of the ACT and the NT in 1976, the Federal Court in 1977 and asa Justice of the High Court of Australia in 1981. He was appointed ChiefJustice in 1995 and retired in 1998. He was the Foundation President ofthe Administrative Appeals Tribunal and of the Administrative ReviewCouncil 1976–1979. He is currently a Non-Permanent Judge of the Courtof Final Appeal of Hong Kong and Chancellor of the University ofTechnology, Sydney.

Harry Evans has been Clerk of the Senate since 1988, and served theSenate in various capacities, including as secretary to the two Senatecommittees on the Justice Murphy Affair. He is the author of manyarticles on constitutional and parliamentary matters, and the editor ofthe 7th and subsequent editions of the authoritative work on the Senate,Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice.

Robert French was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia inNovember 1986. He is resident in Perth. In 2003 he was appointed as anon-resident member of the Supreme Court of Fiji which is the finalappeal court for the Republic of Fiji. From 1994 to 1998 he served asPresident of the National Native Title Tribunal. He has been Presidentof the Australian Association of Constitutional Law since 2001.






xxiv CONTRIBUTORS

Arthur Glass is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of NewSouth Wales. He teaches and writes in the areas of legal theory,constitutional law and immigration law. He is the co-author of books onAustralian constitutional law and has published numerous articles inRechtstheorie, Ratio Juris, Law/Text/Culture, Sydney Law Review and UNSWLaw Journal among other journals. He is an editor of an immigration lawservice and a part time member of Commonwealth migration andmedical tribunals.

Peter Johnston is a Senior Fellow at the University of Western Australiawhere he has taught Constitutional, Administrative and InternationalLaw since 1974. He is also a barrister who has appeared in a number ofHigh Court constitutional cases. He was Deputy Chairman of theWestern Australian Environment Protection Authority 1985–90, a DeputyPresident of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal 1990–93 and an InquiryCommissioner for the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Com-mission 1996–2000.

H. P. Lee is the Sir John Latham Professor of Law at Monash University.He specialises in constitutional law. His published works include The Australian Judiciary (2001) (jointly); Constitutional Conflicts inContemporary Malaysia (1995); Emergency Powers (1984), Australian FederalConstitutional Law – Commentary and Materials (1999) (jointly), and In theName of National Security – The Legal Dimensions (1995) (jointly). He is theco-editor of Australian Constitutional Perspectives (1992) and two books onThe Constitution of Malaysia (1978 and 1986). Currently, he is serving asthe Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, Monash University.

Geoffrey Lindell has taught and published widely in the field ofAustralian constitutional law. He has assisted in major reviews of theAustralian Constitution and provided constitutional advice to govern-ments and parliaments. He is currently an Adjunct Law Professor at theAdelaide and Australian National Universities and a Professorial Fellowat Melbourne University. He has appeared as counsel in two major HighCourt constitutional cases. He was the inaugural Secretary of theAustralian Association of Constitutional Law, a body he helped to form.

Sir Anthony Mason AC KBE was a Justice of the High Court of Australia1972–87 and Chief Justice 1987–95. He was Commonwealth Solicitor-General 1964–69 and a Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal 1969–72.Until recently he was Chancellor of the University of New South Walesand National Fellow at the Research School of Social Sciences at the






Australian National University. In 1996–97 he was Arthur GoodhartProfessor in Legal Science at Cambridge University. Sir Anthony hasbeen a non-permanent Judge of the Hong Kong Court of Final Appealsince 1997.

Marilyn Pittard is a Professor of Law and Associate Dean (PostgraduateStudies) at Monash University. She has published extensively in labourlaw, including constitutional, contract of employment and industrialaction issues, and has co-authored Industrial Relations in Australia:Development, Law and Practice (1995) and Australian Labour Law: Cases andMaterials (4th edn, 2003). She is consultant to a national law firm, hasengaged in external consultancies, including with the CommonwealthGovernment, and has undertaken ARC-funded research. She is sectioneditor of the Australian Journal of Labour Law and Australian Business LawReview, and is editor of the Employment Law Bulletin.

Dennis Rose AM has been a Special Counsel with the Canberra office ofBlake Dawson Waldron since 1995. From 1962 to 1995, apart from threeyears teaching at the Australian National University, he served in theCommonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. He was Chief GeneralCounsel from 1989, including substantial periods acting as Common-wealth Solicitor-General. He was appointed by the Commonwealth as aQueen’s Counsel in 1991 and appeared as counsel for the Common-wealth in numerous constitutional cases in the High Court and othercourts, including Cole v Whitfield. He has published a number of articleson constitutional law. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Universityof Canberra.

Cheryl Saunders AO is a Director of the Institute for Comparative andInternational Law and of the Centre for Comparative ConstitutionalStudies at the University of Melbourne. She has held a personal chair inthe Faculty since 1989 and is a Fellow of the Academy of the SocialSciences in Australia. She has specialist interests in constitutional law andcomparative constitutional law, including federalism and intergovern-mental relations, constitutional design and change and constitutionaltheory. Cheryl Saunders is Vice President of the International Associ-ation of Constitutional Law, of the International Association of Centresfor Federal Studies and of the Australian Association of ConstitutionalLaw. She is an editor of the Public Law Review and a member of theeditorial boards of a range of Australian and international journals,including I.Con and Publius. In 1994 she was made an officer of the Orderof Australia, for services to the law and to public administration.

CONTRIBUTORS xxv






Fiona Wheeler is a Reader in the Faculty of Law, Australian NationalUniversity. Her research is primarily in the area of constitutional law, witha particular interest in courts and the judicial system, includingseparation of powers. Her publications include a number of articles onaspects of Chapter III of the Australian Constitution. With BrianOpeskin, she co-edited The Australian Federal Judicial System (2000). She isComments Editor of the Public Law Review, a contributor to the OxfordCompanion to the High Court of Australia (2001) and has served on theExecutive of the Australian Association of Constitutional Law. From 2000to 2003 she served as ANU Faculty of Law Sub-Dean.

John Williams is a senior lecturer in the Law School at the University ofAdelaide. He teaches and researches in the areas of constitutional lawand Australian legal history. He has published widely, and founded andco-edited The New Federalist: The Journal of Australian Federation History. Hehas been a Council member of the Australian Association ofConstitutional Law since its inception.

George Winterton is a Professor of Law at the University of New SouthWales. He has published widely in constitutional law, especially on therepublic, the executive, and the judiciary. He has been appointed toconstitutional reform bodies by both sides of politics, including theExecutive Government Advisory Committee of the ConstitutionalCommission (1985–87), the Republic Advisory Committee (1993) andthe Constitutional Convention (1998). He is General Editor ofConstitutional Law and Policy Review, and has been a Council member ofthe Australian Association of Constitutional Law since its inception.

Leslie Zines AO is emeritus professor at the Australian NationalUniversity and a visiting fellow in the law program of the ResearchSchool of Social Sciences of that university. He was formerly a Professorof Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law and from 1977 to 1992 was theRobert Garran Professor of Law. In 1992–93 he was Arthur GoodhartProfessor of Legal Science at the University of Cambridge. Hispublications include Federal Jurisdiction in Australia (3rd edn, 2002); The High Court and the Constitution (1st edn, 1981, 4th edn, 1997); andConstitutional Change in the Commonwealth (1991).

xxvi CONTRIBUTORS






Preface

xxvii

The High Court of Australia, which has been pivotal to the CommonwealthConstitution’s successful operation and adaptation to change, celebrates itscentenary in 2003. That century records many landmark constitutionalcases and other controversies. While the legal aspects of these cases areanalysed in constitutional texts, their other dimensions, especially thepolitical context in which these controversies arose, have rarely beenexamined. This book seeks to explain these constitutional landmarks intheir political, social or industrial contexts. In this way, we hope to bringthese cases and controversies to the attention of an audience beyond thenarrow circle of constitutional lawyers. After all, if our Constitution isgrounded in popular sovereignty, it is desirable that citizens shouldunderstand their Constitution. While the lay person often finds legal casesarid, we hope that setting the cases and controversies in their political andhuman context will render them accessible to a wider audience.

We wish to record our gratitude to a number of persons who assistedus in bringing the book to fruition: Peter Debus and his staff atCambridge University Press for their patience and understanding as wesought to overcome the hitches inevitably arising in a project of thisnature; Venetia Somerset for editing the book for the publisher;Maryanne Cassar for her word-processing and general assistance; FionaHamilton, Public Information Officer of the High Court of Australia; thestaff at the State Library of Victoria; Dr Gail Kreltszheim and JesperHansen for research assistance; James Emmett for assistance in locatingcartoons; and the authors of the various chapters for their co-operationin writing and refining their contributions to the book. As with all ourwork, we are grateful to our respective Law Schools (Monash andUNSW) for providing the necessary library and other facilities; and,above all, we thank our wives, Rose and Ros, for their encouragementand support.






We record our thanks to a number of sources for their kind permis-sion in reproducing the various illustrations in the book. We have tried asbest we could to track down the appropriate sources from whompermission should be sought. The cartoons captioned ‘To be swallowedwhole’, ‘A bit backward’ and ‘Cornered’ are reproduced by courtesy ofThe Bulletin; the cartoon captioned ‘The Throwback’ is reproduced withpermission from the holder of the copyright in the work of NormanLindsay @ H. A. & C. Glad; the cartoon by Nicholson was reproducedfrom the Australian: www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au; the cartoon ofJustice Lionel Murphy was reproduced from The Age with permissionfrom Spooner; the Tandberg cartoons by courtesy of Ron Tandberg andThe Age; the photograph of Fitzpatrick and Browne was reproduced bycourtesy of the Sydney Morning Herald; and the photograph of the MasonCourt was reproduced by courtesy of the High Court of Australia.

H. P. Lee George Winterton

xxviii PREFACE






I N T R O D U C T I O N

The Commonwealth’s ConstitutionalCentury

H. P. Lee and George Winterton

xxix

Australia celebrated the centenary of Federation in 2001. The year 2003 marks the centenary of the High Court of Australia, which first saton 6 October 1903 in Melbourne. The Commonwealth Constitutioncontinues to flourish after more than a century as the foundingdocument of the Australian federation; as J. A. La Nauze observed,Australians can ‘claim citizenship of one of the most venerablefederations of the world’.1 He also remarked that Australia, together withthe United States, Switzerland and Canada, were the four federationswhose constitutions were framed and adopted before the end of thenineteenth century and which ‘have, so far, survived’.2

That the Australian polity has not only survived but has evolved into aprosperous independent liberal democratic nation is all the moreremarkable given that the Constitution appears to be a ‘dull, remote andincomprehensible document’ which ‘seems to have no connection withlife as it is actually lived’.3 Colin Howard, however, considered firstappearances ‘misleading’, remarking that ‘[t]he Constitution haseverything to do with life as it is actually lived in Australia’.4 An exceptionmust, of course, be made for Chapter II, dealing with the Executive,which on its face suggests that the Governor-General runs theCommonwealth Government with the assistance of ‘the Queen’sMinisters of State’.

The deceptively simple words of the Constitution have provided thebattleground for a number of major constitutional controversies inAustralia. The passage of over a hundred years from the inauguration ofthe Commonwealth has witnessed many controversies, and theirresolution by the High Court (and, to a lesser extent, the Privy Council)has determined the changing patterns of constitutional interpretationand the evolution of the Commonwealth. These legal controversies






xxx AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL LANDMARKS

reflect the great political and economic battles of the nation, for Alexisde Tocqueville’s observation regarding the United States more than 150years ago is also largely true of Australia: ‘Scarcely any political questionarises … that is not resolved, sooner or later, into a judicial question’.5

Many of the resulting cases are represented in this volume, and mostcontinue to dominate the constitutional landscape.

The sixteen ‘landmarks’ discussed in this book include a conciseaccount of the federation process, an overview of the constitutionalcontribution of the High Court’s principal competitor in constitutionalinterpretation – the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council – and twonon-judicial ‘incidents’ raising important constitutional issues: thedismissal of the Whitlam Government and the travails of Murphy J. Theother twelve landmarks are cases decided by the High Court and, in twoinstances, also the Privy Council. Interestingly, they are evenly dividedbetween those resulting in the expansion of Commonwealth power andthose reducing it. Were one nominating the leading cases of Australianconstitutional law – creating a ‘constitutional Hall of Fame’6 – the listwould not be confined to these twelve cases. It would, for example,include cases such as Huddart, Parker & Co Pty Ltd v Moorehead,7 Farey vBurvett,8 the State Banking case,9 James v Commonwealth,10 the Cigamaticcase,11 the Concrete Pipes case,12 Koowarta v Bjelke-Petersen,13 Lange vAustralian Broadcasting Corporation14 and Re Wakim; Ex parte McNally15 toname but a few. Cases such as these have been omitted from this volumepartly to keep its size within reasonable proportions, but also becausemany are derived from or superseded by cases discussed in the book.

Of the cases included, only the Bank Nationalisation case16 has beensuperseded (by Cole v Whitfield),17 although not formally overruled. Theonly other case which might be decided differently today is R v Richards;Ex parte Fitzpatrick and Browne,18 a case which left an ‘indelible impression’on junior counsel for Fitzpatrick, A. F. Mason (later Mason CJ):19

The two men were convicted and imprisoned by Parliament for contempt ofParliament without being given an opportunity to address Parliament on thequestion of their guilt or innocence. They were convicted in absentia in theabsence of any specification in the warrant of commitment of the nature ofthe breach of privilege of which they were convicted and after they weredenied representation by counsel who was to appear on their behalf in theCommittee of Privileges and in the House. As counsel who was refused leaveto appear, my sense of outrage over Parliament’s denial of due process andnatural justice remains undimmed after a lapse of 40 years.20

Fitzpatrick and Browne could be reversed on either or both of twogrounds:21 that s. 49 of the Constitution should be interpreted morenarrowly than it was in that case in the light of the separation of powersdoctrine;22 and/or that the decision is incompatible with the freedom of






political communication recognised in the ACTV and Nationwide Newscases.23 However, as to the first ground, Fitzpatrick and Browne was decidedby a strong High Court including Dixon CJ and Fullagar and Kitto JJ,who were generally sensitive to the importance of the separation ofjudicial power.24 Regarding the second ground, it must be rememberedthat, as Harry Evans emphasises in his chapter in this work, the contemptof Parliament was constituted not by mere defamation but byintimidation, which amounts to more than political comment. In anyevent, Harry Evans has little doubt that the High Court would affirm thecase, and its reversal is probably less likely now than it might have beenin the era of the Mason Court. One reflection of Australia’s legaladulthood is that the Privy Council’s opinion that the High Court’sdecision was ‘unimpeachable’25 would carry little weight nowadays.

The conspectus of the landmark constitutional cases and episodesbegins with an account of the events that led to the unification of the sixcolonies into the new Commonwealth of Australia. John Williamsexplores these events and examines the role of the critical players andcontroversies that were associated with the movement towardsfederation. He highlights the centrifugal and centripetal forces at workin the crafting of the Constitution.

The constitutional framers drew inspiration from the US Constitutionand sought to amalgamate its federal principle with the British andcolonial Australian doctrine of responsible government. A bicameralParliament with an upper House (the Senate) and a lower House (theHouse of Representatives) was established. Disagreement over theSenate’s proper role regarding Supply became pivotal in the politicalstruggles that led to the unprecedented dismissal of a popularly electedgovernment by an appointed Governor-General in 1975. Section 57 ofthe Constitution provides a mechanism to resolve disputes between thetwo Houses over the passage of legislation, but the periods specified inthat section made it unsuitable for resolving the 1975 impasse.

Section 51 of the Commonwealth Constitution sets out a list of‘concurrent’ powers, that is, law-making powers on topics which areavailable to both the Commonwealth and State legislatures. In the eventof a conflict between a law of the Commonwealth and a law of a State,the Constitution declares supremacy to be accorded to the Common-wealth law, to the extent of the inconsistency (s. 109). The Constitutionalso provides expressly for certain limits on the power to makelegislation. A proscription on legislative power is found in s. 92, whichguarantees the absolute freedom of interstate trade and commerce.Controversies continue to simmer over the efforts of the High Court tograft implied limitations on the legislative power of the Commonwealthand the States.

H. P. LEE AND GEORGE WINTERTON xxxi






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