Australia’s American Constitution and the Dismissal

Australia’s American Constitution and the Dismissal

Author: David Long

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Published: 2021-04-28

Total Pages: 315

ISBN-13: 179364196X

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David Long traces the cause of the 1975 constitutional crisis to the influence of English legal positivism, a theory which isolates the meaning from the political scheme the text was framed to support. He shows the fundamental premise of a Constitution, framed in Convention, ratified by the people that cannot be altered without their consent, the consent of the governed. Legal positivism was adopted by the High Court in 1920 when it abolished the federal scheme and therewith the sovereign States. The responsible judge had opposed federalism at the 1897 Convention. Long examines two juristic opinions that excused the Governor-General’s 1975 unprecedented dismissal of a government with the confidence of the House of Representatives. He identifies their reliance on legal positivist constitutional interpretations that are expressly rejected by the Founders. Long provides a theoretical defence of the Founders original understanding as the object of constitutional construction.


Book Synopsis Australia’s American Constitution and the Dismissal by : David Long

Download or read book Australia’s American Constitution and the Dismissal written by David Long and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2021-04-28 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: David Long traces the cause of the 1975 constitutional crisis to the influence of English legal positivism, a theory which isolates the meaning from the political scheme the text was framed to support. He shows the fundamental premise of a Constitution, framed in Convention, ratified by the people that cannot be altered without their consent, the consent of the governed. Legal positivism was adopted by the High Court in 1920 when it abolished the federal scheme and therewith the sovereign States. The responsible judge had opposed federalism at the 1897 Convention. Long examines two juristic opinions that excused the Governor-General’s 1975 unprecedented dismissal of a government with the confidence of the House of Representatives. He identifies their reliance on legal positivist constitutional interpretations that are expressly rejected by the Founders. Long provides a theoretical defence of the Founders original understanding as the object of constitutional construction.


The Truth of the Matter

The Truth of the Matter

Author: Gough Whitlam

Publisher: Melbourne Univ. Publishing

Published: 2005-01-01

Total Pages: 340

ISBN-13: 9780522852127

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On Remembrance Day, 1975, the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, sacked the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. The Dismissal was the culmination of almost three years of political conflict, as Whitlam's reforming Labor government rammed home overdue legislative reforms in the face of implacable, and increasingly bitter, conservative opposition. The focus of the Opposition's scheming was the Senate, where its leaders blocked supply in order to force a political crisis. Whitlam, famous for his 'crash through or crash' style, refused to compromise with his political enemies. After consulting secretly with the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Fraser, and the Chief Justice, Sir Garfield Barwick, Kerr abruptly informed the PM that he had withdrawn his commission. Half an hour later, Kerr swore Fraser in as 'caretaker Prime Minister'. At an election a month later, the conservatives were returned to office. Controversy and recrimination followed. Many Australians, including Whitlam himself, believed he had been the victim of a coup. In 1979, he published his own account of the events of 1975, The Truth of the Matter, an instant best seller. Out of print for many years, it is republished by MUP on the thirtieth anniversary of the Dismissal, with a new introduction by the author and other new reference material. Passionate, pithy, learned, witty, and vigorously combative, The Truth of the Matter tells the extraordinary political story of the only Prime Minister of Australia ever deposed from office.


Book Synopsis The Truth of the Matter by : Gough Whitlam

Download or read book The Truth of the Matter written by Gough Whitlam and published by Melbourne Univ. Publishing. This book was released on 2005-01-01 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: On Remembrance Day, 1975, the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, sacked the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam. The Dismissal was the culmination of almost three years of political conflict, as Whitlam's reforming Labor government rammed home overdue legislative reforms in the face of implacable, and increasingly bitter, conservative opposition. The focus of the Opposition's scheming was the Senate, where its leaders blocked supply in order to force a political crisis. Whitlam, famous for his 'crash through or crash' style, refused to compromise with his political enemies. After consulting secretly with the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Fraser, and the Chief Justice, Sir Garfield Barwick, Kerr abruptly informed the PM that he had withdrawn his commission. Half an hour later, Kerr swore Fraser in as 'caretaker Prime Minister'. At an election a month later, the conservatives were returned to office. Controversy and recrimination followed. Many Australians, including Whitlam himself, believed he had been the victim of a coup. In 1979, he published his own account of the events of 1975, The Truth of the Matter, an instant best seller. Out of print for many years, it is republished by MUP on the thirtieth anniversary of the Dismissal, with a new introduction by the author and other new reference material. Passionate, pithy, learned, witty, and vigorously combative, The Truth of the Matter tells the extraordinary political story of the only Prime Minister of Australia ever deposed from office.


Australian Constitutional Landmarks

Australian Constitutional Landmarks

Author: H. P. Lee

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2004-01-12

Total Pages: 476

ISBN-13: 9781139450355

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Australian Constitutional Landmarks presents the most significant cases and controversies in the Australian constitutional landscape up to its original publication in 2003. Including the Communist Party case, the dismissal of the Whitlam government, the Free Speech cases, a discussion of the race power, the Lionel Murphy saga, and the Tasmanian Dam case, this book highlights turning points in the shaping of the Australian nation since Federation. Each chapter clearly examines the legal and political context leading to the case or controversy and the impact on later constitutional reform. With contributions by leading constitutional lawyers and judges, as well as two former chief justices, this book will appeal to members of the judiciary, lawyers, political scientists, historians and people with a general interest in Australian politics, government and history.


Book Synopsis Australian Constitutional Landmarks by : H. P. Lee

Download or read book Australian Constitutional Landmarks written by H. P. Lee and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2004-01-12 with total page 476 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Australian Constitutional Landmarks presents the most significant cases and controversies in the Australian constitutional landscape up to its original publication in 2003. Including the Communist Party case, the dismissal of the Whitlam government, the Free Speech cases, a discussion of the race power, the Lionel Murphy saga, and the Tasmanian Dam case, this book highlights turning points in the shaping of the Australian nation since Federation. Each chapter clearly examines the legal and political context leading to the case or controversy and the impact on later constitutional reform. With contributions by leading constitutional lawyers and judges, as well as two former chief justices, this book will appeal to members of the judiciary, lawyers, political scientists, historians and people with a general interest in Australian politics, government and history.


The Constitution of Australia

The Constitution of Australia

Author: Cheryl Saunders

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2010-11-30

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 1847317405

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Consistently with the aims of the series, the book canvasses the Australian constitutional system in a way that explains its form and operation, provides a critical evaluation of it and conveys a sense of the contemporary national debate. The chapters deal with the foundations of Australian constitutionalism, its history from the time of European settlement, the nature of the Australian Constitutions, the framework for judicial review, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, federalism and multi-level government and rights protection. Running through all chapters is the story of the gradual evolution of Australian constitutionalism within the lean but almost unchanging framework of the formal, written, national Constitution. A second theme traces the way in which the present, distinctive, constitutional arrangements in Australia emerged from creative tension between the British and United States constitutional traditions on which the Australian Constitution originally drew and which continues to manifest itself in various ways. One of these, which is likely to be of particular interest, is Australian reliance on institutional arrangements for the purpose of the protection of rights. The book is written in a clear and accessible style for readers in both Australia and countries around the world. Each chapter is followed by additional references to enable particular issues to be pursued further by readers who seek to do so. 'The Constitution of Australia' has already been cited in a High Court of Australia case: Momcilovic v The Queen [2011] HCA 34 (8 September 2011)


Book Synopsis The Constitution of Australia by : Cheryl Saunders

Download or read book The Constitution of Australia written by Cheryl Saunders and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2010-11-30 with total page 183 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Consistently with the aims of the series, the book canvasses the Australian constitutional system in a way that explains its form and operation, provides a critical evaluation of it and conveys a sense of the contemporary national debate. The chapters deal with the foundations of Australian constitutionalism, its history from the time of European settlement, the nature of the Australian Constitutions, the framework for judicial review, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government, federalism and multi-level government and rights protection. Running through all chapters is the story of the gradual evolution of Australian constitutionalism within the lean but almost unchanging framework of the formal, written, national Constitution. A second theme traces the way in which the present, distinctive, constitutional arrangements in Australia emerged from creative tension between the British and United States constitutional traditions on which the Australian Constitution originally drew and which continues to manifest itself in various ways. One of these, which is likely to be of particular interest, is Australian reliance on institutional arrangements for the purpose of the protection of rights. The book is written in a clear and accessible style for readers in both Australia and countries around the world. Each chapter is followed by additional references to enable particular issues to be pursued further by readers who seek to do so. 'The Constitution of Australia' has already been cited in a High Court of Australia case: Momcilovic v The Queen [2011] HCA 34 (8 September 2011)


The Palace Letters

The Palace Letters

Author: Professor Jenny Hocking

Publisher:

Published: 2020-11-03

Total Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 9781922310248

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What role did the queen play in the governor-general Sir John Kerr's plans to dismiss prime minister Gough Whitlam in 1975, which unleashed one of the most divisive episodes in Australia's political history? And why weren't we told? Under the cover of being designated as private correspondence, the letters between the queen and the governor-general about the dismissal have been locked away for decades in the National Archives of Australia, and embargoed by the queen potentially forever. This ruse has furthered the fiction that the queen and the Palace had no warning of or role in Kerr's actions. In the face of this, Professor Jenny Hocking embarked on a four-year legal battle to force the Archives to release the letters. In 2015, she mounted a crowd-funded campaign, securing a stellar pro bono team that took her case all the way to the High Court of Australia. Now, drawing on never-before-published material from Kerr's archives and her submissions to the court, Hocking traces the collusion and deception behind the dismissal, and charts the private role of High Court judges, the queen's private secretary, and the leader of the opposition, Malcolm Fraser, in Kerr's actions, and the prior knowledge of the queen and Prince Charles. Hocking also reveals the obstruction, intrigue, and duplicity she faced, raising disturbing questions about the role of the National Archives in preventing access to its own historical material and in enforcing royal secrecy over its documents.


Book Synopsis The Palace Letters by : Professor Jenny Hocking

Download or read book The Palace Letters written by Professor Jenny Hocking and published by . This book was released on 2020-11-03 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What role did the queen play in the governor-general Sir John Kerr's plans to dismiss prime minister Gough Whitlam in 1975, which unleashed one of the most divisive episodes in Australia's political history? And why weren't we told? Under the cover of being designated as private correspondence, the letters between the queen and the governor-general about the dismissal have been locked away for decades in the National Archives of Australia, and embargoed by the queen potentially forever. This ruse has furthered the fiction that the queen and the Palace had no warning of or role in Kerr's actions. In the face of this, Professor Jenny Hocking embarked on a four-year legal battle to force the Archives to release the letters. In 2015, she mounted a crowd-funded campaign, securing a stellar pro bono team that took her case all the way to the High Court of Australia. Now, drawing on never-before-published material from Kerr's archives and her submissions to the court, Hocking traces the collusion and deception behind the dismissal, and charts the private role of High Court judges, the queen's private secretary, and the leader of the opposition, Malcolm Fraser, in Kerr's actions, and the prior knowledge of the queen and Prince Charles. Hocking also reveals the obstruction, intrigue, and duplicity she faced, raising disturbing questions about the role of the National Archives in preventing access to its own historical material and in enforcing royal secrecy over its documents.


Constitutional Conventions in Australia

Constitutional Conventions in Australia

Author: Ian Killey

Publisher:

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781783081226

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Australia's constitutions tell only part of the story. They omit or barely mention many of the essential and well-known elements of the system of government, such as the cabinet, the prime minister or premier, ministerial responsibility or the opposition. This work fills that void by explaining the nature of conventions, how they arise, how they are altered, as well as their operation and development. This is a book for anyone who has an interest in understanding the complexities and mysteries of the unwritten rules of Australian systems of government.


Book Synopsis Constitutional Conventions in Australia by : Ian Killey

Download or read book Constitutional Conventions in Australia written by Ian Killey and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Australia's constitutions tell only part of the story. They omit or barely mention many of the essential and well-known elements of the system of government, such as the cabinet, the prime minister or premier, ministerial responsibility or the opposition. This work fills that void by explaining the nature of conventions, how they arise, how they are altered, as well as their operation and development. This is a book for anyone who has an interest in understanding the complexities and mysteries of the unwritten rules of Australian systems of government.


Conversations with the Constitution

Conversations with the Constitution

Author: Gregory Craven

Publisher: UNSW Press

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 256

ISBN-13: 9780868404394

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Describes the bitter power struggles of the Australian constitution's forging, and paints the founding fathers as implausible heroes who managed a profound historical achievement. It talks about parliaments, courts, judges and ministers not just as colorless instruments of the Constitution, but as the walking wounded of political psychology; and it sheds light on today’s great constitutional controversies: Do we need a Bill of Rights? Can federalism work? How can parliament work better? Can we ever be a republic?


Book Synopsis Conversations with the Constitution by : Gregory Craven

Download or read book Conversations with the Constitution written by Gregory Craven and published by UNSW Press. This book was released on 2004 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes the bitter power struggles of the Australian constitution's forging, and paints the founding fathers as implausible heroes who managed a profound historical achievement. It talks about parliaments, courts, judges and ministers not just as colorless instruments of the Constitution, but as the walking wounded of political psychology; and it sheds light on today’s great constitutional controversies: Do we need a Bill of Rights? Can federalism work? How can parliament work better? Can we ever be a republic?


The Veiled Sceptre

The Veiled Sceptre

Author: Anne Twomey

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2018-04-12

Total Pages: 913

ISBN-13: 1107056780

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The extension to other Realms of the reserve power to refuse a dissolution


Book Synopsis The Veiled Sceptre by : Anne Twomey

Download or read book The Veiled Sceptre written by Anne Twomey and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2018-04-12 with total page 913 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The extension to other Realms of the reserve power to refuse a dissolution


A Federal Republic

A Federal Republic

Author: Brian Galligan

Publisher: CUP Archive

Published: 1995-09-14

Total Pages: 304

ISBN-13: 9780521373548

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A provocative reassessment of the Australian constitution from the perspective of a political scientist.


Book Synopsis A Federal Republic by : Brian Galligan

Download or read book A Federal Republic written by Brian Galligan and published by CUP Archive. This book was released on 1995-09-14 with total page 304 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A provocative reassessment of the Australian constitution from the perspective of a political scientist.


Can Responsible Government Survive in Australia?

Can Responsible Government Survive in Australia?

Author: David Hamer

Publisher: Belconnen ACT : University of Canberra

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Can Responsible Government Survive in Australia? by : David Hamer

Download or read book Can Responsible Government Survive in Australia? written by David Hamer and published by Belconnen ACT : University of Canberra. This book was released on 1994 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: