Isabella Carter
The Australian Constitution, which came into force in 1901, forms the basis for all laws in Australia and outlines the basic rules for how the country is governed. The Constitution is steeped in 19th-century colonial thinking and has been criticised for its antiquated nature and lack of relevance to modern governance. Despite this, it remains an important document for understanding Australia's political system. Those interested in reading the Constitution can access it through the Parliamentary Education Office, which offers a free downloadable PDF version, as well as printed copies for purchase. Additionally, Graham L. Paterson's book, The Australian Constitution as it is Actually Written, provides insight into the historical context and interpretation of this foundational document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Format | A6-sized edition, paperback, ebook |
| Content | All 128 sections, an informative summary by the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS), a detailed exploration of the history of the Constitution and its key features |
| Author | Graham L. Paterson |
| Publisher | Amazon, Parliamentary Education Office |
| Price | $3.00 AUD |
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What You'll Learn
Download the PDF for free
The Australian Constitution can be downloaded for free as a PDF from the Parliamentary Education Office website. This edition contains all 128 sections of the Constitution, along with an informative summary by the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). It is a useful reference text for law or politics students, as well as classroom teachers covering the Constitution in their lessons.
The Australian Constitution forms the foundation for all laws in Australia and outlines the basic rules for how the country is governed. It is important for citizens to be able to access and understand the Constitution, as it directly affects their everyday lives.
The Parliamentary Education Office also offers the option to place orders for printed copies of the Constitution. Orders of up to 300 copies can be placed directly through the website, while larger orders can be arranged by contacting the office.
It is worth noting that the Australian Constitution, as it is formally written, is steeped in nineteenth-century colonial thinking and has been criticised for bearing little resemblance to the country's modern governance. The document has sparked debates around democracy and sovereignty, with some arguing that it was never intended to be a democratic tool but rather a reflection of colonial interests. Books such as "The Australian Constitution as it is Actually Written" by Graham L. Paterson offer alternative insights and criticisms of the formal document.
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Order printed copies
The Parliamentary Education Office offers printed copies of Australia's Constitution, which includes all 128 sections and an informative summary by the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). You can place orders of up to 300 copies, and for larger orders, you can contact the office directly. The recommended retail price per copy is $3.00 (GST inclusive).
Alternatively, you can explore the National Library of Australia's printed collections, which contain substantial material relevant to the Australian Constitution and the country's Federation. The library holds the original Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK), presented to Australia by the British government in 1990. This document has been digitised and can be viewed online through the library's catalogue.
Additionally, the library's printed collections feature several books that provide valuable insights into the Australian Constitution and its historical context. These include "The Australian Constitution: A Documentary History" by John M. Williams, "The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia Annotated" by Lumb and Moens, and "Federation: The Guide to Records" compiled by S. G. Foster, Susan Marsden, and Roslyn Russell.
For those seeking a compact reference, an A6-sized pocket edition of Australia's Constitution is also available for purchase from various retailers or online bookstores. This edition includes all 128 sections and may serve as a convenient resource for law or politics students, as well as teachers covering the Constitution in their classrooms.
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History of the Constitution
The Australian Constitution came into being on 9 July 1900, when, after a series of federation conventions, the Constitution was enacted. Representatives of the six colonies met at the so-called 'constitutional conventions' to draft legislation that would unite the colonies. The votes of 573,865 people in the six Australian colonies in the referenda of 1899 and 1900 resulted in the 'birth' of Federation. The Australian Constitution was the first national constitution in the world to be put to a popular vote.
The path to federation was long and challenging, and the journey was stymied at several points. The colonies in Australia were practically self-governing and had acquired a sense of identity, which made it uncertain whether they would agree to amalgamate into one state. A series of conferences to discuss federalism was promoted by the premier of New South Wales, Henry Parkes, with the first held in 1890 in Melbourne and another in Sydney in 1891. These conferences were attended by most colonial leaders, and by the 1891 conference, the federalist cause had gained momentum. A draft constitution was drawn up at the conference under the guidance of Sir Samuel Griffith, but these meetings lacked popular support. The 1891 draft was submitted to colonial parliaments, but it lapsed in New South Wales, after which other colonies were unwilling to proceed.
In 1895, the six premiers of the Australian colonies agreed to establish a new convention by popular vote. The convention met over the course of a year from 1897 to 1898, producing a new draft with substantially the same principles of government as the 1891 draft but with added provisions for responsible government. The Australian Constitution, contained within an act passed by the United Kingdom, came into effect on 1 January 1901, when the Commonwealth of Australia was established.
The Constitution is the primary source of Australian constitutional law, though it operates alongside constitutional conventions, state constitutions, the Statute of Westminster 1931, the Australia Acts 1986, prerogative instruments, and judicial interpretations of these laws by the High Court of Australia. The document can only be amended by referendum, requiring a double majority: a nationwide majority and a majority of voters in a majority of states. Only eight of the 45 proposed amendments put to a referendum have passed.
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The Constitution's key features
The Australian Constitution, the highest law in Australia, can be accessed in a variety of formats. It is available as a free downloadable PDF or for purchase in printed form from the Parliamentary Education Office. It can also be browsed through an easy-to-use subsite.
The Constitution is the foundation for all laws in Australia and establishes a democratic form of government, guaranteeing the people the right to vote. It outlines the basic rules for how Australia is governed and provides a framework for the government to operate within. The six foundational principles of the Constitution are democracy, the rule of law, the separation of powers, federalism, nationhood, and rights balanced by responsibilities.
The Constitution enables the Parliament to make laws on a variety of topics, including national issues such as foreign affairs, defence, and taxes, as well as personal matters like unemployment benefits, marriage and divorce, pensions, and immigration. These powers allow the federal government to provide schemes like Medicare, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and Job Seeker, and to subsidise aged care, childcare, hospital care, and pharmaceutical services.
The Constitution also includes a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one group has too much power. The Parliament can reject laws proposed by the governing party, and the High Court can strike down unconstitutional laws. If the federal government wishes to amend the Constitution, it must gain the approval of the Australian people through a referendum, requiring a "double majority". This means that a majority of Australian voters and a majority of voters in a majority of states (at least four) must agree to the change.
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The Australian Constitution can be accessed online as a free PDF download. This edition contains all 128 sections, as well as an informative summary by the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). A printed copy can also be purchased for $3.00 (GST inclusive).
The Australian Constitution is the foundation for all laws in Australia and outlines the basic rules for how the country is governed. It came into force on 1 January 1901, marking the birth of the Commonwealth of Australia. The constitution was based on a combination of British, American, and other models, including monarchy and parliamentary government from Britain, federalism from Canada and the United States, and the use of the referendum from Switzerland.
The road towards Australia's federation began in the colonial era, with the reception of English law and the disregard for existing Indigenous legal structures. In 1885, the first formal steps towards federation were taken with the formation of the Federal Council of Australasia, which included Western Australia, Fiji, Queensland, Tasmania, and Victoria. However, this council was weak and lacked executive and legislative powers.
In the 1890s, two constitutional conventions were held, and a constitution was adopted, which was then approved by the voters in each of the six colonies. This constitution was then passed as an Act of the British Parliament: the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900. The Act clarified and strengthened the position of colonial legislatures while reaffirming their subordination to the British Parliament. It provided that any law of the Australian Parliament could be disallowed within a year by the British monarch, although this power was never exercised.
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Frequently asked questions
You can purchase a copy of the Australian Constitution from Amazon. Alternatively, you can download a free PDF of the pocket edition from the Parliamentary Education Office website.
The recommended retail price of Australia's Constitution is $3.00 (GST inclusive).
Yes, you can purchase an eBook version of the Australian Constitution from Amazon.
Yes, you can read the full text of the Australian Constitution on the Parliamentary Education Office website.
No, the authority over the Australian Constitution Act lies solely with the UK.
