The South Australian Chapter of the Australian Association of Constitutional Law is proud to host
The High Court’s New Spectacles:
Re-envisioning executive power after
Williams v Commonwealth
On 20 June 2012, the High Court changed our understanding of the nature of the Commonwealth’s executive power. With some exceptions, the Commonwealth may not enter into contracts or funding arrangements without legislative backing. The vehicle for this change was Williams v Commonwealth, a High Court challenge to the Commonwealth funded National School Chaplaincy Program.
This seminar will explain the reasoning adopted by the High Court in Williams, before turning to an analysis and critique of the Court’s approach to the question of the Commonwealth’s capacities, the role of the principles of federalism and representative and responsible government, and the repercussions of the decision for government at both the federal and state level.
Presenters:
Gabrielle Appleby
University of Adelaide
Stephen McDonald
Hanson Chambers
Michael Wait
South Australian Crown Solicitors Office
1:00 – 2:00 pm, Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Venue: Pilgrim Hall, 12 Flinders Street
Members and non-members welcome.
GDLP students will receive credit for attendance towards GDLP requirements
(subject to application to the Law Society).
Attendance at this seminar may be recognised for MCPD purposes.
RSVP by 19 July 2012 to Mike Wait by email (wait.michael@agd.sa.gov.au)