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No Deliberate Innovators: Mr Justice Murphy and the Australian Constitution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2025

Paul Bickovskii
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Federal Law Review , Volume 8 , Issue 4 , December 1977 , pp. 460 - 488
Copyright
Copyright © 1977 The Australian National University

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References

1 Four previous Federal Attorneys-General have been appointed to the High Court. They were Isaacs J., Higgins J., Latham C.J. and Barwick C.J.

2 The Petroleum and Minerals Authority Act 1973 (Cth) was found to be unconstitutional for procedural, not substantive reasons: Victoria v. Commonwealth (1975) 7 A.L.R. 1.

3 For an early assessment of the program and its chances of success, see Sawer, “The British Connection” (1973) 47 A.L.J. 113.

4 E.g. Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, Working Paper on Legislative Powers (1972); Kewley, Report on the Imperial Acts Application Act 1922Melbourne: Government Printer (1975).

5 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 351.

6 Upheld in Kitano v. The Commonwealth (1975) 132 C.L.R. 231.

7 The constitutionality of this Act is not totally beyond doubt; it rests upon the view that “limiting” ins. 74 of the Constitution extends to abolishing. See also the Queen of Queensland Case (1975) 7 A.L.R. 351, 374 per Jacobs J.

8 However, appeals from inferior courts of the territories have not been abolished. There appears to be no record of any such appeal to the Privy Council

9 Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd v. Attorney-General for the Commonwealth (1912) 15 C.L.R. 182 (H.C.); sub nom. Attorney-General for the Commonwealth v. Colonial Sugar Refining Co. Ltd (1913) 17 C.L.R. 644 (P.C.).

10 Queen of Queensland Case (1975) 7 A.L.R. 351, 378 per Murphy J.

11 Gibbs J., with whom Barwick C.J., Stephen and Mason JJ. agreed, held that s. 3 attempted to confer rights of appeal on matters which the Constitution, in Chapter III, implicitly if not expressly, left to the sole final determination of the High Court, i.e. federal matters, inter se questions, etc. It was not open for a State to provide an alternative to the provisions enacted by the Commonwealth. Jacobs J., with whom McTiernan J. agreed, held that the Judicature Chapter of the Constitution is exhaustive of t)ie judicial power which may be conferred upon any court in respect of the matters set out in ss. 75 and 76. It is outside the judicial power of the Commonwealth to obtain advisory opinions in respect of those matters. Since Chapter III is exhaustive, a State may not empower its courts to give an advisory opinion in respect of those subjects of jurisdiction.

12 (1975)7 A.L.R.351, 376.

13 Id. 381.

14 Ibid.

15 Blackshield, , “Judges and the Court System” in Evans (ed.), Labor and the Constitution 1972-1975 (1977) 105, 107-109Google Scholar. See also John, St, “The High Court and the Privy Council; The New Epoch” (1976) 50 A.L.J. 389Google Scholar.

16 The relevant cases are Deakin v. Webb (1904) 1 C.L.R. 585; Webb v. Outtrim (1906) 4 C.L.R. 356; Baxter v. Commissioners of Taxation (N.S.W.) (1907) 4 C.L.R. 1087; Flint v. Webb (1907) 4 C.L.R. 1178.

l7 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 351, 377-378.

18 Pirrie v. McFarlane (1925) 36, C.L.R. 170, 196.

19 Cf. Blackshield, op. cit. 108, n. 12.

20 E.g. Oteri and Oteri v. R. (1976) 11 A.L.R. 142, criticised in Edeson, , “The English Theft Act in Australian Waters” [1977] 1 Criminal Law Journal 71Google Scholar.

21 See the way in which the High Court overcame its embarrassment in Duncan v. Queensland (1916) 22 C.L.R. 556, 581-582 per Griffith C.J: The question was recently raised in Geelong Harbour Trust Commissioners v. Gibbs, Bright& Co. (1970) 122 C.L.R. 504 (H.C.); (1974) 129 C.L.R. 576 (P.C.).

22 Menzies, , “Australia and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council” (1968)42 A.L.J. 79, 86Google Scholar.

23 Queen of Queensland Case (1975) 7 A.L.R. 351, 381-382.

24 (1976) 11 A.L.R. 129.

25 Id. 139.

26 Constitution, s. 51(xxix).

27 New South Wales v. Commonwealth (1975) 8 A.L.R. 1, 91-92 per Mason J.,112 per Jacobs J. This view is implicit in the judgment of Murphy J. Sed quaere Barwick C.J., who stressed that the matter must “in its nature” be external: id. 6.

28 Zines, , “The Growth of Australian Nationhood and its Effect on the Powers of the Commonwealth” in Zines (ed.), Commentaries on the Australian Constitution (1977) 1, 35-38Google Scholar.

29 Not necessarily in the United Kingdom; such representation has been placed on a statutory basis by all States except New South Wales. Agent-General's Act 1958 (Vic.), Agent-General for Queensland Act 1975 (Qld), Agent-General Act 1901-1975 (S.A.), Agent General Act 1895-1975 (W.A.), Agent-General Act 1911 (Tas.).

30 Including appeals to the Privy Council: see Mccawley v. R. (1918) 26 C.L.R. 9, 51-52 per Isaacs and Rich JJ.

31 Zincs, , “The Australian Constitution 1951-1976” (1976) 7 F.L.Rev. 89 103-105.Google Scholar

32 This was apparently the basis upon which the Privy Council (Appeals Abolition) Bill was drafted; although the “request and consent” procedure of the Statute of Westminster 1931 (U.K.), s. 4 was used for additional safety.

33 [1926] I.R.402, 403-404.

34 Menzies, op. cit. 87.

35 Sawer, op. cit. 117.

36 E.g. Lumb, , The Constitutions of the Australian States (4th ed. 1977) 95Google Scholar.

37 Minister for Justice of Western Australia (ex rel. Ansett Transport Industries) v. Australian National Airlines Commission (the Ansett Case) (1976) 12 A.L.R. 17, 46.

38 Supra p. 346.

39 (1976) 11 A.L.R.129, 138.

40 Halsbury's Laws of England (4th ed.), vi, 346, para. 832. See also the Australian Commentary 2, para. COl where reference is made to “legal independence”.

41 See generally Hanks, , “Re-Defining the Sovereign: Current Attitudes to Section 4 of the Statute of Westminster” (1968) 42 A.L.J. 286Google Scholar.

42 [1935] A.C. 500, 520.

43 Heuston, , Essays in Constitutional Law (2nd ed. 1964) 7Google Scholar.

44 Bistricic v. Rokov (1976) 11 A.LR. 129, 139.

45 [1937) A.D.229.

46 1952 (2) S.A. 428.

47 Bistricic v. Rokov (1976) 11 A.LR. 129, 140.

48 Queen of Queensland Case (1975) 7 A.LR. 351, 379.

49 A good deal of this is discussed in Zines, , “The Growth of Australian Nationhood and its.Effect on the Powers of the Commonwealth” in Zines (ed.)Commentaries on the Australian Constitution (1977) 1Google Scholar.

50 Many early incidents are related in Wright Shadow of Dispute: Aspects of Commonwealth-State Relations, 1901-1910 (1970) esp. Chapter 1.

51 See e.g. Menzies, , Central Power in the Australian Commonwealth (1967)49-55Google Scholar.

52 Dixon, , “Concerning Judicial Method” 29 A.L.J. 468, 469Google Scholar.

53 Report of the Joint Committee on Constitutional Review, 1959 47. Note the dissenting remarks of Senator R. C. Wright, id. 210.

54 McWhinney, , Judicial Review (4th ed. 1969) 12Google Scholar.

55 The absence of fundamental guarantees from the proposed Constitution was criticised, especially by the fledgling labour movement. See Anderson (ed.), Tocsin: Radical Arguments Against Federation 1897-1900 (1977). Reference should also be made to La Nauze, The Making of the Australian Constitution (1972) 227-232.

56 (1975) 133 C.L.R. 369.

57 Id. 388.

58 Western Australia v. Commonwealth (1975) 7 A.LR. 159, 219.

59 Henry's Case (1975) 133 C.L.R. 369, 388.

60 Ibid.

61 This matter was argued in King v. Jones (1912) 128 C.L.R. 221, where, it will be noted, his Honour (then Senator Murphy, Q.C.) vigorously urged this point.

62 Reid v. Sinderberry (1944) 68 C.L.R. 504. Reference may be made also to the decision in this case in the New South Wales Supreme Court: Ex parte Sinderberry; Re Reid (1944) 44 S.R. (N.S.W.) 263.

63 Murphy J. does not refer to “defence” as a justification for interfering with the individual's liberty, but it would seem to be a casus omissus.

64 (1944) 44 S.R. (N.S.W.)263,266.

65 (1944) 68 C.L.R. 504, 510.

66 (1920) 28 C.L.R. 129, 151.

67 See generally Hanks, “Parliamentarians and the Electorate” in Evans (ed.),op. cit. 166-204, and the following “Commentaries”, id. 205-214.

68 (1920) 28 C.LR. 129, 146-148.

69 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 593, 600.

70 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 159. See the discussion in Zines, , “The Australian Constitution 1951-1976” (1976) 7 F.L.Rev. 89, 97-99Google Scholar.

71 See Senate (Representation of Territories) Act 1973 (Cth).

72 McTiernan, Mason, Jacobs and Murphy JJ.

73 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 159, 214-220.

74 (1977) 12 A.L.R. 129, 133.

75 It is understood that a further challenge has been mounted and heard. No decision has, at the time of writing, been handed down. This challenge apparently also questioned the validity of representing electors of the Territories in the House of Representatives.

76 McTiernan J. retired on 12 September 1976 and was succeeded by Aickin J.This comment is not intended as a prediction of Aickin J.'s decision in the matter.

77 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 593.

78 “Attorney-General for Australia (at the relation of McKinlay) v. The Commonwealth” (1976) 7 F.L. Rev. 242.

79 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 593, 639.

80 Id. 647.

81 Id. 616-618 per McTiernan and Jacobs JJ.; id. 632 per Stephen J.; id. 636 per Mason J.

82 Id. 632.

83 Id. 642.

84 (1962) 369 U.S. 186.

85 (1975) 7 A.L.R.593, 647-648.

86 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 277, 350.

87 McKinlay's Case (1975) 7 A.L.R. 593, 648.

88 (1976) 9 A.L.R. 481.

89 Id. 501.

90 (1912) 16 C.L.R. 99.

91 Id. 108-109.

92 Id. 109-110.

93 (1868) 18 Law. Ed. 745.

94 (1958) 101 C.L.R. 536.

95 Id. 549-550.

96 Id. 560. Note that Menzies J. was far more cautious about the idea: id. 566.

97 Shapiro v. Thompson (1969) 394 U.S. 618.

98 R. v. Smithers; Ex parte Benson (1912) 16 C.L.R. 99, 119.

99 Pioneer Express v. Hotchkiss (1958) 101 C.L.R. 536, 550.

1 Upheld in Lamshed v. Lake (1958) 99 C.L.R. 132.

2 Buck v. Bavone (1976) 9 A.LR. 481, 502.

3 (1945) 70 C.L.R.1.

4 Quick and Garran, The Annotated Constitution of the Australian Commonwealth (1901) 807.

5 (1938) 59 C.L.R. 556.

6 Id. 580-585.

7 (1976) 12 A.L.R. 333.

8 Id. 346.

9 (1938) 59 C.L.R. 556,, 583.

10 Ibid.

11 (1977) 13 A.L.R. 247.

12 Id. 263-264.

13 The Ansett Case (1976) 12 A.L.R. 17, 44.

14 (1976) 12 A.L.R. 17.

15 Supra p. 357.

16 Barwick C.J., Gibbs and Stephen JJ.

17 (1976) 12 A.L.R. 17, 45.

18 Id. 46.

19 Id. 20.

20 Id. 25.

21 Id. 22.

22 (1953) 88 C.L.R. 353, 386 per Dixon C.J.

23 Airlines of New South Wales Pty Ltd v. New South Wales (No. 2) (1965) 113 C.L.R. 54.

24 (1976) 12 A.LR. 17, 46.

25 See also the comments of Zines, , “The Australian Constitution, 1951-1976” (1976) 7 F.L.Rev. 89, 144Google Scholar, and Lane, , The Australian Federal System with United States Analogues (1972) 38Google Scholar.

26 (1976) 12 A.LR. 17, 32-33 per Stephen J.; 40-41 per Mason J.

27 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 277.

28 “State of Victoria v. The Commonwealth of Australia” (1977) 8 F.L.Rev. 246.

29 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 277, 344-347.

30 Id. 345.

31 Id. 346.

32 (1908) 8 C.L.R. 115.

33 (1972) 124 C.L.R. 529.

34 Id. 574.

35 Buck v. Bavone (1976) 9 A.L.R. 481, 502.

36 See Beasley, , “The' Commonwealth Constitution: s. 92—Its History in the Federal Conventions” (1948) 1 University of Western Australia Law Review 97, 273, 433Google Scholar; Sharwood, , “Section 92 in the Federal Conventions: A Fresh Appraisal” (1958) 1 Melbourne University Law Review 331Google Scholar.

37 Buck v. Bavone (1976) 9 A.L.R. 481, 500.

38 (1977) 12 A.L.R. 449.

39 Id. 483. There is also a similar suggestion in Buck v. Bav.one (1976) 9 A.L.R. 481, 502.

40 (1977) 12 A.L.R. 449.

41 (1977) 12 A.L.R. 484.

42 (1974) 130 C.L.R. 177.

43 “The High Court and Section 90 of the Constitution” (1976) 7 F.L.Rev. 1.

44 Dickenson's Arcade Pty Ltd v. Tasmania (1974) 130 C.L.R. 177, 185.

45 (1960) 104 C.L.R. 529, 555.

46 (1904) 1 C.L.R. 497.

47 H.C. Sleigh v. South Australia (1977) 12 A.L.R. 449, 482.

48 Mathews and Jay, Federal Finance (1972) 132.

49 Particularly, the Ansett Case, and the s. 90 cases.

50 E.g. Western Australia v. Commonwealth (1975) 7 A.L.R. 159.

51 Victoria v. The Commonwealth (1971) 122 C.L.R. 353, 378. See also Damjanovic & Sons Pty Ltd v . The Commonwealth (1968) 117 C.L.R. 390, 396.

52 (1935) 54 C.L.R. 657.

53 (1973) 128 C.L.R. 482, 499.

54 (1975) 7 A.L.R. 277, 344-345.

55 (1977) 12 A.L.R. 484 ,505.

56 South Australia v. The Commonwealth (1942) 65 C.L.R. 373, 408.

57 Evans, , 'The High Court and the Constitution in a Changing Society” in Hambly and Goldring (eds), Australian Lawyers and Social Change (1976) 13Google Scholar.