One of the governor-general’s roles is as commander-in-chief of the defence forces. While it’s a largely ceremonial role, she could exercise defence powers, on ministerial advice.
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Articles on Australian Constitution
Displaying 1 - 20 of 124 articles
Owens reaches million of people online and wants to do five shows across Australia, but there are calls to deny her entry. Here’s what the federal government has to consider.
Banning political donations may sound like a good idea, but Peter Malinauskas’ plan raises political and legal risks.
If two people were to job-share the role of federal MP, it would take much more than changing the Electoral Act.
Governor-general designate Sam Mostyn would become the latest punching bag in the culture wars. But how will her Governor-Generalship compare to others past?
The High Court judges unanimously held that a person must be released from immigration detention where there is no real prospect of them being deported in the foreseeable future.
The failed Voice to Parliament referendum dashed the hopes of many mapping out a path to reconciliation. If we look to the example set by North American Indians, there might be another way forward.
From a legal standpoint, there is a difference between a state and a territory, and for some that justifies giving territory voters less say over changes to the national constitution.
A Voice to Parliament would advise the “executive government” – that is, ministers and the public service – on issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The last time the country voted in a referendum on Indigenous affairs was in 1967. Advocates for the ‘Voice to Parliament’ say it is the best way to remedy a long legacy of failed policies.
Outgoing New Zealand MP Jamie Strange used his valedictory speech to propose a trans-Tasman political union. Wondering how that might work reveals just how different the two countries really are.
Mis- and disinformation about the Voice to Parliament proposal are rife. Here, experts address 10 of the most common myths.
The solicitor-general said the model is compatible with responsible government, and an ‘enhancement’ of the system.
Legislation is an unsatisfactory way to institute a Voice to Parliament because, among other reasons, it would make the body insecure and vulnerable to the whims of different governments.
Voters will justifiably ask why they should vote for a form of recognition opposed by the people who are to be recognised.
In the lead-up to the Voice to parliament referendum, we’re seeing constitutional change is possible. If the Voice is successful, Australia could next consider separating us from the monarchy.
Here’s what the question says, what’s new and what happens next.
A Voice to Parliament will not fix every problem facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But it is an important step towards moving the nation to truth telling and beyond.
The Voice to Parliament is an advisory body, which means neither parliament nor the government is legally required to give effect to its representations.
The current draft wording is the model most consistent with Australia’s current and historical constitutional practice.
Top contributors
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Professor Emerita in Constitutional Law, University of Sydney
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Professor, UNSW Law School, UNSW Sydney
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Dean and Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney
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Associate Professor, Faculty of Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney
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Professor, Law Faculty, Monash University
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UNSW Sydney
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Senior Lecturer, The University of Western Australia
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Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University
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Associate Professor, ANU National Security College, Australian National University
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Visiting Professorial Fellow, UNSW Sydney
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Associate Professor, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland
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Associate Professor in Politics, Murdoch University
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Research Fellow, School of Law, The University of Queensland
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Associate Professor and Deputy Director, Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, UNSW Law & Justice, UNSW Sydney
