Source: http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/indigenous-recognition--part-3-australias-illiberal-and-undemocratic-constitution,4318
Timestamp: 2013-12-06 20:57:03
Document Index: 695792299

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 3', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5']

Indigenous recognition - Part 3: Australia's illiberal and undemocratic Constitution Youtube
Indigenous recognition - Part 3: Australia's illiberal and undemocratic Constitution
Dr George Venturini 20 July 2012, 12:13pm DemocracyIndigenous AustraliaLawIn a majestic six part series, Dr George Venturini takes an in-depth look at the proposal to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution, asking whether it will produce the positive effects on reconciliation hoped for.[Read Part One by clicking here][Read Part Two by clicking here]In this third part, Dr Venturini takes apart Australia's Constitution, which he finds is far removed from being the foundation for a modern liberal democracy.On Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Australian Constitution: a belated homage or yet another swindle (Part 3)Australia's illiberal and undemocratic Constitution
A quick look of the Australian Constitution reveals that, although it is technically an act of the British Parliament passed in 1900, the last vestiges of British legislative influence in Australia having been eliminated with the passage of the Australia Act in 1986.
The Constitution is, in fact, contained in Section 9 of “An Act to Constitute the Commonwealth of Australia”. The first 8 sections of the Act record that the people of the Australian colonies have agreed to unite in a federal commonwealth and that the new system of government was not imposed on the Australian people by the British Parliament.
Something else should be further said about this document, which is regarded – mostly by people who have not read it, or perhaps not understood it – as the foundation of a modern, liberal democracy.
One is reminded of Humpty Dumpty appearing in Lewis Carroll's Through the looking-glass (1872), discussing semantics and pragmatics with Alice, and saying in a rather scornful tone:“When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”
Firstly, a brief overview of the document in question.
Chapter 1 - on The Parliament, establishes the Commonwealth Parliament as the Legislative Branch of government. In that Chapter, Part 1 establishes its legislative power in Australia and provides for a Governor-General, representing the Queen, with power to summon Parliament; Part 2 provides for the composition and election of the Senate, and the filling of Senate vacancies. It details quorums, voting arrangements and the procedure for election of a President of the Senate; Part 3 provides for the composition and election of the House of Representatives and the filling of House vacancies. It details quorums, voting arrangements and the procedure for election of a Speaker of the House of Representatives; Part 4 deals with matters applicable to both houses of Parliament, particularly the qualification of members and the privileges of the Parliament; and Part 5 deals with the powers of the Parliament and provides a list of 40 paragraphs of specific powers. This part also deals with the joint powers of the houses and the means of resolving disagreements between the houses.Chapter 2 - on The Executive Government, deals with that branch of government which carries out and enforces the laws. It provides for the exercise of executive power by the Governor-General advised by an Executive Council. Section 64 stipulates that Ministers are to be Members of Parliament, the only section of the Constitution which refers to the system of ‘responsible’ Government.Chapter 3 - on The Judicature, provides for the establishment of the branch of government dealing with the courts of law. Section 71 provides that the judicial power of the Commonwealth is vested in the High Court of Australia and other federal courts established by the Parliament. Other sections deal with the appointment, tenure and removal from office of judges of the High Court and other courts. Section 76 confers power on the Parliament to determine the jurisdiction of the High Court.Chapter 4 - on Finance and Trade, deals with these matters. One of the most important sections is Section 83 which provides that no money is to be drawn from the Treasury except under an appropriation by law. Other sections deal with customs duties, requiring that they be uniform throughout the Commonwealth.
Section 105A, inserted by referendum in 1929, deals with the taking over by the Commonwealth of States’ debts.Chapter 5 - on The States, provides for the continuance of their constitutions, parliamentary powers and laws.
Section 119 also requires that the Commonwealth is to protect the states against invasion or domestic violence.Chapter 6 - on New States, deals with the procedures for the establishment of new States and provides for the surrender of territories to the Commonwealth by States.Chapter 7 - on Miscellaneous, is made up of two sections, one dealing with the establishment of the seat of government, the other providing for the appointment of deputies of the Governor-General.Chapter 8 - on Alteration of the Constitution, provides that proposals for constitutional alteration be initiated by the Parliament and approved in a referendum by a majority of voters Australia-wide and a majority of voters in a majority of States.
A Schedule attached to the Constitution contains the oath or affirmation