AoS2+Constitution+and+Rights

2.2 || concurrent, constitution, division of power, exclusive, federation, referral, residual, specific || **5. The division of powers between State and ** · Specific, concurrent, exclusive and residuals powers · Impact of section 109 · Restrictions imposed by the Constitution on the law-making powers of the State and Commonwealth Parliaments ||  || 2.3 2.4 || referendum,
 * **Week ** || **AoS ** || **Legal concepts ** || **Topics ** ||
 * 5 -6 || 2.1
 * Commonwealth Parliaments under the Constitution **
 * <span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">6

|| **<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">6. Changing the Constitutional powers ** · <span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The process and impact of change by referendum under s128 of the Commonwealth Constitution · <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The significance of High Court cases that interpret the Commonwealth Constitution and their impact on the law-making powers of the State and Commonwealth Parliaments || · <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The protection of democratic and human rights by the Commonwealth Constitution · <span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">A comparison with the approach adopted for the constitutional protection of demographic and human rights of other countries || <span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Came into force on 1 January 1901. Sets out the structure, function and law making powers of C’W Established High Court Sets out the law making powers of the C’W :division of power: Specific power divided into exclusive and concurrent Residual powers remain with the states <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"><span style="color: rgb(0,112,192);">Read text p102 – 111 Copy diagram of the overview of the constitution p102 (this is our plan for the next four weeks) Complete a Venn diagram that outlines the division of power between the C’W and the states
 * <span style="display: block; font-size: 9pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; text-align: center;"> 7/8 || <span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">2.5 || <span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Bill of rights, || **<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">7. Protection of Democratic and Human Rights **<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The Constitution Act 1900 **

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Allows C’W law to override state law when there are inconsistencies <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Raising military forces Coining Customs Cannot restrict free trade Where there are inconsistencies in concurrent areas – C’W prevails s109 <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Guarantee of state rights Cannot legislate in areas of residual power S51 (ii) cannot discriminate in areas involving taxation S92 cannot restrict free trade S99 cannot give preference to one state S116 unable to create legislation re religion S117 residents of states cannot be discriminated against
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Inconsistencies in areas of concurrent power **<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> S109
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Restrictions on state power cannot legislate in areas of exclusive power **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Restrictions on C’W power **

<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);">Collaborative activity: based on the division of power activity, you are to work with another class member on designated aspects of the constitution. You are also required to select images to support the text and collaboratively design a power point: <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Cannot change the constitution without a referendum S128 for successful change requires majority of votes on a majority of states Impact of change: often alters the balance of power between states and C’W <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="color: rgb(0,112,192);">Read text p111-117 Complete a flow chart of the procedure for changing the constitution How does a referendum change the constitution? There have only been 8 successful referendums since federation. Why were these successful? Read article: Why referendums fail p115-116 Answer critical appraisal questions p117 <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Other ways the balance of power can be changed High Court interpretation Govts acting in cooperation with states referring power to C”W C’W and states enacting complementary legislation C’w parlt making conditional grants to states States chose not to challenge the constitutionally validity of C’W legislation
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Changing the constitution: Referendum **

<span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Read text p117 to p128 1. What is the role of the High Court? 2. How can the interpretation of the High Court alter the division of power? 3. Outline the external affairs power in 51. How has this power been used in the last 30 years <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Meaning of words clarified by interpretation Hallmark cases: Brislan’s case (1935) Jones V Commonwealth (1965) The Koowarta Case ,Franklin Dam Case 1983, Mabo Case (1992) Wiki Case (1996) Workplace Relations or Workchoices (2006) <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">In pairs, select one of the cases above and research the following questions: a) What were the facts of the case? b) What aspects of the constitution were in dispute? c) Outline the outcome of the case. d) What implications does the decision have for the future? <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Read text p 122 – p126 Complete Treaties and Folio Exercises q1-6 <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Potentially form new law Financial dominance of the Commonwealth <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Referral of power <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Read text p128 and answer in detail: Has the High Court gone too far in interpreting the consitution? Draw a timeline of the evolution of decision making since Federation. Has the High Court gone too far? Justify **your** opinion. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> read p 129 -138
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">High Court interpretation: **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Impact of High Court Interpretation of the Constitution **
 * <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Legislative movement of power **
 * Protection of democratic and human rights**

1. What are democratic and human rights? 2. Explain how are our rights protected in Australia? 3. Complete the table, outining the explicit rights of Australians according to the consitution:

Implied Rights P133 - 138 4. Differentiate between explicit and implicit rights. 5. Although we assume that we have the implied right of freedom of speech, how is this protected? 6. How did the High Court decision to declare aspects of the  //Political Broadcasts and Disclosure Act1991// invalid, support the notion of freedom of speech? 7. Outline the impact of High Court decision making in relation to //Theophanous V Herald Weekly Times// 8. How did this judgement impact on the Victorian 1995 Gun Control case? (refer to precedent) 9. Is there an absolute right to freedom of communciation? Explain referring to //Lange V ABC 1997// 10. How is the right to vote implicitly protected in the constitution? 11. In reference to the Vicki Roach case, how were voting rights further extended? 12. Does Section 41 of the constitution protect the right to vote? Explain 13. The table in 5.7 evaluates the consitutional approach in protecting human rights. Summarise the key points of the table. These two handouts will be paart of our class work after the break: <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: rgb(0,112,192); font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Constitutional Protection of Rights: Case Study (handout) Case Study Rabelais Case (handout) <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> P139 - 142 14. In your view, is it time for a bill of rights? Explain. 15. What is the difference between an entrenched bill of rights and a statutory bill of rights 16. How can rights be enforced?
 * ~ **Section of Constitution** ||~ **Outline what the right is** ||~ **In practice: what the implications are** ||
 * S52 xxxi || acquisition of property on just terms ||  ||
 * S80 || trial by jury: C'W offences ||  ||
 * S116 || freedom of religion ||  ||
 * S117 || freedom from interstate discrimination ||  ||

Using the attached, <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Compare Australia with the approach adopted for the constitutional protection of rights in Canada South Africa United States UK New Zealand

Complete the comparision for two countries and be prepared to share your findings (we will evaluate next term)

Complete the reprt: Is it time for a bill of rights? p155. Your report is to be 500 words in length and to be submitted Tuesday 20th April. You are encouraged to research more widely.