Five Things to Know About the Australian ConstitutionIn this excellent new book, Helen Irving delves into the mystery that is the Australian constitution by discussing the major national debates of recent years. Many people want to understand and take part in the debate about constitutional issues but they face a significant hurdle: the constitution is almost unreadable. It does not mean what it says, and nor does it say what it means. There are many myths in circulation about what the constitution says and as many assumptions about what it does. Helen Irving, one of this country's foremost constitutional experts, puts various constitutional confusions to rest, and invites a general audience into an understanding of the issues that were once reserved for experts. |
Contents
1 | |
Chapter 1 The Constitution does not mean what it says | 11 |
Chapter 2 The Constitution does not say what it means | 31 |
Chapter 3 The Constitution says some things without actually saying them | 52 |
Chapter 4 The Constitution fails to say things that might be important | 72 |
Chapter 5 The Constitution says certain things that contradict each other | 92 |
The Constitution could say what it means and mean what it says if we wanted it to | 108 |
The Constitution | 117 |
157 | |
159 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Aboriginal Acts of Parliament actually saying advice altered amendments appointed assent Australia's Constitution Australian law authorised become vacant bill breach Britain British Chapter colonies Commonwealth Parliament Consti Constitution says constitutional power constitutionally Convention Covering Clauses decision defence forces defence power double dissolution duties of customs election electors example excise Executive Government executive power exercise flag framers Governor Governor-General in Council Governor-General's happened High Court hold office Hollingworth House of Representatives Houses of Parliament immigration island leader legislation limits majority matter mean ment monwealth offence Parliament otherwise provides party passed person Peter Hollingworth political Preamble proposed law Queen Queen of Australia Queen’s representative question referendum representation reserve powers resign respect revenue rule of law section 128 section 51 senator chosen South Australia South Wales Tasmania term territory things tion troops tution unconstitutional uniform duties unwritten vacancy vested vote wealth Western Australia words