The High Court challenge against the Australian federal government's Work Choices legislation has begun in Canberra today. The challenge was initiated by the governments of New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria and joined by the Australian Workers Union and Unions NSW. The states claim that the legislation, passed by parliament in December last year, is unconstitutional. The federal government will argue that the legislation is permitted under Section 51(xx) of the Australian Constitution , commonly known as the "corporations powers". The states argue that this section was never intended to be used for industrial arbitration. The premier of Queensland, Peter Beattie is concerned that if the states lose their case that the powers between the states and commonwealth would need to be revised.
The challenge against the Australian federal government's legislation has begun in Canberra today. The challenge was initiated by the governments of New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and Victoria and joined by the and Unions NSW. The states claim that the legislation, passed by parliament in December last year, is unconstitutional. The federal government will argue that the legislation is permitted under , commonly known as the "corporations powers". The states argue that this section was never intended to be used for industrial arbitration. The premier of Queensland, is concerned that if the states lose their case that the powers between the states and commonwealth would need to be revised.
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High Court
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Work Choices
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Australian Workers Union
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Section 51(xx) of the Australian Constitution
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Peter Beattie