The aim of this unit is to impart an understanding of the fundamentals of Australian federal constitutional law through the study of key concepts and institutions including constitutionalism, the rule of law, responsible and representative government, federalism, separation of powers, the Parliament, the Executive, the Judiciary, and the nature of judicial power. Students will achieve an appropriate level of professional mastery of specific aspects of Commonwealth, State and Northern Territory constitutional structure, principles and case law; and will analyse the operation and relationships between the different arms of government (e.g. inconsistency of Commonwealth and State laws, intergovernmental immunities, the distribution of fiscal powers, and the control of economic and commercial activities).
PRESCRIBED TEXT -BLACKSHIELD AND WILLIAMS AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW AND THEORY -ABRIDGED EDITION- FULL EDITION ALSO AVAILABLE SEE BELOW.
RECOMMENDED TEXT - FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: A CONTEMPORARY VIEW 5TH EDITION
ALL OTHER ITEMS NON-COMPULSORY
