Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(The Constitution)
This compilation was prepared on 25 July 2003
taking into account alterations up to Act No. 84 of 1977
[Note: This compilation
contains all amendments to the Constitution made by the Constitution
Alterations specified in Note 1
Additions to the text are shown in bold type
Omitted text is shown as ruled through]
Prepared by the Office of
Legislative Drafting,
Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra
Contents
Covering clauses
1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 7
2............ Act to extend to the Queen's successors............................................ 7
3............ Proclamation of Commonwealth [see Note 2].................................... 7
4............ Commencement of Act....................................................................... 8
5............ Operation of the Constitution and laws [see Note 3]........................ 8
6............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 8
7............ Repeal of Federal Council Act [see Note 4]....................................... 8
8............ Application of Colonial Boundaries Act............................................ 9
9............ Constitution [see Note 1]................................................................... 9
Chapter I--The Parliament 1
Part I--General 1
1............ Legislative power................................................................................ 1
2............ Governor‑General............................................................................... 1
3............ Salary of Governor‑General................................................................ 1
4............ Provisions relating to Governor‑General............................................ 1
5............ Sessions of Parliament. Prorogation and dissolution.......................... 2
6............ Yearly session of Parliament.............................................................. 2
Part II--The Senate 3
7............ The Senate [see Note 5]...................................................................... 3
8............ Qualification of electors...................................................................... 3
9............ Method of election of senators [see Note 6]...................................... 3
10.......... Application of State laws................................................................... 4
11.......... Failure to choose senators.................................................................. 4
12.......... Issue of writs...................................................................................... 4
13.......... Rotation of senators........................................................................... 4
14.......... Further provision for rotation [see Note 7]........................................ 5
15.......... Casual vacancies [see Note 8]............................................................. 6
16.......... Qualifications of senator..................................................................... 8
17.......... Election of President........................................................................... 8
18.......... Absence of President.......................................................................... 8
19.......... Resignation of senator........................................................................ 8
20.......... Vacancy by absence............................................................................ 9
21.......... Vacancy to be notified........................................................................ 9
22.......... Quorum............................................................................................... 9
23.......... Voting in the Senate............................................................................ 9
Part III--The House of Representatives 10
24.......... Constitution of House of Representatives....................................... 10
25.......... Provision as to races disqualified from voting.................................. 10
26.......... Representatives in first Parliament................................................... 11
27.......... Alteration of number of members..................................................... 11
28.......... Duration of House of Representatives............................................. 11
29.......... Electoral divisions [see Note 9]........................................................ 11
30.......... Qualification of electors.................................................................... 12
31.......... Application of State laws................................................................. 12
32.......... Writs for general election.................................................................. 12
33.......... Writs for vacancies........................................................................... 12
34.......... Qualifications of members................................................................ 12
35.......... Election of Speaker........................................................................... 13
36.......... Absence of Speaker.......................................................................... 13
37.......... Resignation of member..................................................................... 13
38.......... Vacancy by absence.......................................................................... 13
39.......... Quorum............................................................................................. 14
40.......... Voting in House of Representatives................................................. 14
Part IV--Both Houses of the Parliament 15
41.......... Right of electors of States................................................................. 15
42.......... Oath or affirmation of allegiance....................................................... 15
43.......... Member of one House ineligible for other........................................ 15
44.......... Disqualification................................................................................. 15
45.......... Vacancy on happening of disqualification........................................ 16
46.......... Penalty for sitting when disqualified................................................ 16
47.......... Disputed elections............................................................................ 16
48.......... Allowance to members..................................................................... 17
49.......... Privileges etc. of Houses................................................................... 17
50.......... Rules and orders............................................................................... 17
Part V--Powers of the Parliament 18
51.......... Legislative powers of the Parliament [see Notes 10 and 11]............ 18
52.......... Exclusive powers of the Parliament.................................................. 20
53.......... Powers of the Houses in respect of legislation................................. 20
54.......... Appropriation Bills.......................................................................... 21
55.......... Tax Bill............................................................................................. 21
56.......... Recommendation of money votes.................................................... 21
57.......... Disagreement between the Houses................................................... 22
58.......... Royal assent to Bills......................................................................... 22
59.......... Disallowance by the Queen.............................................................. 23
60.......... Signification of Queen's pleasure on Bills reserved.......................... 23
Chapter II--The Executive Government 24
61.......... Executive power............................................................................... 24
62.......... Federal Executive Council................................................................. 24
63.......... Provisions referring to Governor‑General........................................ 24
64.......... Ministers of State............................................................................. 24
65.......... Number of Ministers........................................................................ 25
66.......... Salaries of Ministers......................................................................... 25
67.......... Appointment of civil servants.......................................................... 25
68.......... Command of naval and military forces............................................. 25
69.......... Transfer of certain departments....................................................... 25
70.......... Certain powers of Governors to vest in Governor‑General............. 26
Chapter III--The Judicature 27
71.......... Judicial power and Courts................................................................ 27
72.......... Judges' appointment, tenure, and remuneration............................... 27
73.......... Appellate jurisdiction of High Court................................................ 28
74.......... Appeal to Queen in Council [see Note 12]...................................... 29
75.......... Original jurisdiction of High Court................................................... 29
76.......... Additional original jurisdiction......................................................... 30
77.......... Power to define jurisdiction.............................................................. 30
78.......... Proceedings against Commonwealth or State................................... 30
79.......... Number of judges.............................................................................. 30
80.......... Trial by jury..................................................................................... 30
Chapter IV--Finance and Trade 32
81.......... Consolidated Revenue Fund............................................................. 32
82.......... Expenditure charged thereon............................................................. 32
83.......... Money to be appropriated by law................................................... 32
84.......... Transfer of officers........................................................................... 32
85.......... Transfer of property of State........................................................... 33
86.......... [Customs, excise, and bounties] [see Note 13]................................. 34
87.......... [Revenue from customs and excise duties] [see Note 13]................ 34
88.......... Uniform duties of customs............................................................... 34
89.......... Payment to States before uniform duties......................................... 34
90.......... Exclusive power over customs, excise, and bounties........................ 35
91.......... Exceptions as to bounties................................................................. 35
92.......... Trade within the Commonwealth to be free..................................... 35
93.......... Payment to States for five years after uniform tariffs...................... 36
94.......... Distribution of surplus..................................................................... 36
95.......... Customs duties of Western Australia............................................... 36
96.......... Financial assistance to States............................................................ 37
97.......... Audit................................................................................................. 37
98.......... Trade and commerce includes navigation and State railways........... 37
99.......... Commonwealth not to give preference............................................. 37
100........ Nor abridge right to use water.......................................................... 38
101........ Inter‑State Commission.................................................................... 38
102........ Parliament may forbid preferences by State..................................... 38
103........ Commissioners' appointment, tenure, and remuneration................. 38
104........ Saving of certain rates....................................................................... 39
105........ Taking over public debts of States................................................... 39
105A..... Agreements with respect to State debts........................................... 39
Chapter V--The States 41
106........ Saving of Constitutions.................................................................... 41
107........ Saving of Power of State Parliaments............................................... 41
108........ Saving of State laws.......................................................................... 41
109........ Inconsistency of laws....................................................................... 41
110........ Provisions referring to Governor...................................................... 41
111........ States may surrender territory.......................................................... 41
112........ States may levy charges for inspection laws.................................... 41
113........ Intoxicating liquids............................................................................ 41
114........ States may not raise forces. Taxation of property of Commonwealth or State 41
115........ States not to coin money.................................................................. 41
116........ Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion....................... 41
117........ Rights of residents in States............................................................. 41
118........ Recognition of laws etc. of States..................................................... 41
119........ Protection of States from invasion and violence............................... 41
120........ Custody of offenders against laws of the Commonwealth............... 41
Chapter VI--New States 41
121........ New States may be admitted or established..................................... 41
122........ Government of territories................................................................. 41
123........ Alteration of limits of States............................................................ 41
124........ Formation of new States................................................................... 41
Chapter VII--Miscellaneous 41
125........ Seat of Government.......................................................................... 41
126........ Power to Her Majesty to authorise Governor‑General to appoint deputies [see Note 14] 41
Chapter VIII--Alteration of the Constitution 41
128........ Mode of altering the Constitution [see Note 1]............................... 41
Schedule 41
Notes 41
[9th July 1900]
WHEREAS the people of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania, humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God, have agreed to unite in one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and under the Constitution hereby established:
And whereas it is expedient to provide for the admission into the Commonwealth of other Australasian Colonies and possessions of the Queen:
Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Notes to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act
Note 1
The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (the Constitution) as shown in this compilation comprises the Constitution amended as indicated in the Tables below.
Table of Acts
|
Act |
Number |
Date |
|
Constitution Alteration (Senate Elections) 1906 |
1, 1907 |
3 Apr 1907 |
|
Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1909 |
3, 1910 |
6 Aug 1910 |
|
Constitution Alteration (State Debts) 1928 |
1, 1929 |
13 Feb 1929 |
|
Constitution Alteration (Social Services) 1946 |
81, 1946 |
19 Dec 1946 |
|
Constitution Alteration (Aboriginals) 1967 |
55, 1967 |
10 Aug 1967 |
|
Constitution Alteration (Senate Casual Vacancies) 1977 |
82, 1977 |
29 July 1977 |
|
Constitution Alteration (Retirement of Judges) 1977 |
83, 1977 |
29 July 1977 |
|
Constitution Alteration (Referendums) 1977 |
84, 1977 |
29 July 1977 |
|
|
|
|
Table of Amendments
|
ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted |
|
|
Provision affected |
How affected |
|
S. 13.................................... |
am. No. 1, 1907 |
|
rs. No. 82, 1977 |
|
|
am. No. 81, 1946; No. 55, 1967 |
|
|
am. No. 83, 1977 |
|
|
am. No. 3, 1910 |
|
|
ad. No. 1, 1929 |
|
|
S. 127.................................. |
rep. No. 55, 1967 |
|
am. No. 84, 1977 |
|
|
|
|
Note 2
Covering Clause 3--The Proclamation under covering clause 3 was made on 17 September 1900 and published in Gazette 1901.
Note 3
Covering Clause 5--see also the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 .
Note 4
Covering Clause 7--The following Acts have repealed Acts passed by the Federal Council of Australasia:
Defence Act 1903 (No. 20, 1903), s. 6
Pearl Fisheries Act 1952 (No. 8, 1952), s. 3 (Pearl Fisheries Act 1952 repealed by Continental Shelf (Living Natural Resources) Act 1968, s. 3)
Service and Execution of Process Act 1901 (No. 11, 1901), s. 2 (subsequently repealed by Service and Execution of Process Act 1963, s. 3).
Note 5
Section 7--The number of senators for each State was increased to 12 by the Representation Act 1983, s. 3.
Note 6
Section 9--The following State Acts have been passed in pursuance of the powers conferred by s. 9:
|
State |
Number |
Short title |
How affected |
|
New South Wales |
No. 73, 1900 |
Federal Elections Act 1900 |
Ss. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and the Schedule repealed by No. 9, 1903; wholly repealed by No. 41, 1912 |
|
|
No. 9, 1903 |
Senators' Elections Act 1903 |
(still in force) |
|
Victoria |
No. 1715 |
Federal Elections Act 1900 |
Repealed by No. 1860 |
|
|
No. 1860 |
Senate Elections (Times and Places) Act 1903 |
Repealed by No. 2723 |
|
|
No. 2399 |
Senate Elections (Times and Places) Act 1912 |
Repealed by No. 2723 |
|
|
No. 2723 |
Senate Elections (Times and Places) Act 1915 |
Repealed by No. 3769 |
|
|
No. 3769 |
Senate Elections (Times and Places) Act 1928 |
Repealed by No. 6365 |
|
|
No. 6365 |
Senate Elections Act 1958 |
(still in force) |
|
Queensland |
64 Vic. No. 25 |
The Parliament of the Commonwealth Elections Act and the Elections Acts 1885 to 1898 Amendment Act of 1900 |
Operation exhausted |
|
|
3 Edw. VII. No. 6 |
The Election of Senators Act of 1903 |
Repealed by 9 Eliz. II. No. 20 |
|
|
9 Eliz. II. No. 20 |
The Senate Elections Act of 1960 |
(still in force) |
|
South Australia |
No. 834 |
The Election of Senators Act 1903 |
(still in force) |
|
Western Australia |
No. 11, 1903 |
Election of Senators Act 1903 |
(still in force) |
|
Tasmania |
64 Vic. No. 59 |
The Federal Elections Act 1900 |
Repealed by 26 Geo. V. No. 3 |
|
|
3 Edw. VII. No. 5 |
The Election of Senators Act 1903 |
Repealed by 26 Geo. V. No. 3 |
|
|
26 Geo. V. No. 3 |
Senate Elections Act 1935 |
(still in force) |
Note 7
Section 14--For the provisions applicable upon the increase in the number of senators to 12 made by the Representation Act 1983, see s. 3 of that Act.
Note 8
Section 15--The proposed law to alter the Constitution entitled "Constitution Alteration (Simultaneous Elections) 1977" was submitted to the electors in each State of the Commonwealth on 21 May 1977: it was not approved by a majority of all the electors voting in a majority of the States. See Gazette 1977, No. S100.
Note 9
Section 29--The following State Acts were passed in pursuance of the powers conferred by s. 29, but ceased to be in force upon the enactment of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1902:
|
State |
Number |
Short title |
|
New South Wales |
No. 73, 1900 |
Federal Elections Act 1900 |
|
Victoria |
No. 1667 |
Federal House of Representatives Victorian Electorates Act 1900 |
|
Queensland |
64 Vic. No. 25 |
The Parliament of the Commonwealth Elections Act and The Elections Acts 1885 to 1898 Amendment Act of 1900 |
|
Western Australia |
64 Vic. No. 6 |
Federal House of Representatives Western Australian Electorates Act 1900 |
Note 10
Section 51--The following Imperial Acts extended the legislative powers of the Parliament:
Whaling Industry (Regulations) Act 1934, s. 15
Geneva Convention Act, 1937, s. 2
Emergency Powers (Defence) Act 1939, s. 5
Army and Air Force (Annual) Act 1940, s. 3.
Note 11
Section 51 (xxxvii)--The following Acts have been passed by the Parliaments of the States to refer matters to the Parliament under section 51 (xxxvii):
|
State |
Number |
Short title |
How affected |
|
New South Wales |
No. 65, 1915 |
Commonwealth Powers (War) Act 1915 |
Expired 9 Jan 1921; see s. 5 |
|
|
No. 33, 1942 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1942 |
Expired; see s. 4 |
|
|
No. 18, 1943 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1943 |
Expired; see s. 4 |
|
|
No. 48, 1983 |
Commonwealth Powers (Meat Inspection) Act 1983 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 182, 1986 |
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law-Children) Act 1986 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 61, 1992 |
Mutual Recognition (New South Wales) Act 1992 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 104, 1992 |
Commonwealth Powers (State Banking) Act 1992 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 100, 1993 |
Commonwealth Powers (Poultry Processing) Act 1993 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 1, 2001 |
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 114, 2002 |
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002 |
(still in force) |
|
Victoria |
No. 3108 |
Commonwealth Powers (Air Navigation) Act 1920 |
Repealed by No. 4502 |
|
|
No. 3658 |
Commonwealth Arrangements Act 1928 (Part III) |
Part III Repealed by No. 4502: Parts I & II Repealed by No. 6223 |
|
|
No. 4009 |
Debt Conversion Agreement Act 1931 (No. 2) |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 4950 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1943 |
Not proclaimed to come into operation and cannot now be so proclaimed |
|
|
No. 92, 1986 |
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law-Children) Act 1986 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 2, 1993 |
Mutual Recognition (Victoria) Act 1993 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 59, 1996 |
Commonwealth Powers (Industrial Relations) Act 1996 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 6, 2001 |
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 14, 2003 |
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2003 |
(still in force) |
|
Queensland |
12 Geo. V. No. 30 |
The Commonwealth Powers (Air Navigation) Act 1921 |
Repealed by 1 Geo. VI. No. 8 |
|
|
22 Geo. V. No. 30 |
The Commonwealth Legislative Power Act 1931 |
Repealed by No. 46, 1983 |
|
|
7 Geo. VI. No. 19 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1943 |
Expired; see s. 4 |
|
|
14 Geo. VI. No. 2 |
The Commonwealth Powers (Air Transport) Act 1950 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 37, 1990 |
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law-Children) Act 1990 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 67, 1992 |
Mutual Recognition (Queensland) Act 1992 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 43, 2001 |
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 79, 2002 |
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002 |
(still in force) |
|
South Australia |
No. 1469, 1921 |
Commonwealth Powers (Air Navigation) Act 1921 |
Repealed by No. 2352, 1937 |
|
|
No. 2061, 1931 |
Commonwealth Legislative Power Act 1931 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 3, 1943 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1943 |
Expired; see s. 5 |
|
|
No. 89, 1986 |
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law) Act 1986 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 72, 1993 |
Mutual Recognition (South Australia) Act 1993 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 21, 2001 |
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 50, 2002 |
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002 |
(still in force) |
|
Western Australia |
No. 4, 1943 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1943 |
Repealed by No. 58, 1965 |
|
|
No. 57, 1945 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1945 |
Repealed by No. 58, 1965 |
|
|
No. 30, 1947 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1943, Amendment Act 1947 |
Repealed by No. 58, 1965 |
|
|
No. 31, 1947 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1945, Amendment Act 1947 |
Repealed by No. 58, 1965 |
|
|
No. 73, 1947 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1945, Amendment Act (No. 2), 1947 |
Repealed by No. 58, 1965 |
|
|
No. 81, 1947 |
Commonwealth Powers Act 1945‑1947, Amendment (Continuance) Act 1947 |
Repealed by No. 58, 1965 |
|
|
No. 53, 1995 |
Mutual Recognition (Western Australia) Act 1995 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 7, 2001 |
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 53, 2002 |
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002 |
(still in force) |
|
Tasmania |
11 Geo. V. No. 42 |
Commonwealth Powers (Air Navigation) Act 1920 |
Repealed by 1 Geo. VI. No. 14 |
|
|
No. 46, 1952 |
Commonwealth Powers (Air Transport) Act 1952 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 62, 1966 |
Commonwealth Powers (Trade Practices) Act 1966 |
Expired; see s. 2 |
|
|
No. 5, 1987 |
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law) Act 1987 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 33, 1993 |
Mutual Recognition (Tasmania) Act 1993 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 20, 1994 |
Commonwealth Powers (Family Law) Amendment Act 1994 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 39, 2001 |
Corporations (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2001 |
(still in force) |
|
|
No. 68, 2002 |
Terrorism (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2002 |
(still in force) |
Note 12
Section 74--See Privy Council (Limitation of Appeals) Act 1968, Privy Council (Appeals from the High Court) Act 1975 and Kirmani v Captain Cook Cruises Pty. Ltd [No. 2] (1985) 159 CLR 461.
Note 13
Sections 86 and 87--the headings for these sections have been added for compilation purposes.
Note 14
S. 126--See clause IV of the Letters Patent relating to the Office of Governor‑General, published in Gazette 1984, S334.