LAW3201

Constitutional law 306

(LAW)

Professor HP Lee/Professor Jeff Goldsworthy

6 credit points + Two 2-hour lectures per week + First semester + Clayton + Prohibited combination: LAW3200

Synopsis: The Constitutions of Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia, the Statute of Westminster and the Australia Acts. Basic constitutional principles such as representative and responsible government, parliamentary sovereignty, and separation of powers. Techniques and principles of constitutional interpretation. Australian federalism and inter-governmental relations, including the distribution of legislative and fiscal powers between the Commonwealth and the States, inconsistency of laws, and intergovernmental immunities. Principal Commonwealth legislative powers. Limitations on governmental power including selected express and limited constitutional rights and freedoms.

Assessment: Optional research assignment (2000 words): 30% + Final examination (1.5 hours): 70% OR Final examination (2.5 hours): 100%