This book is a comprehensive review and analysis of the reserve powers and their exercise by heads of state in countries that have Westminster systems. It addresses the powers of the Queen in the United Kingdom, those of her vice-regal representatives, and those of heads of state in the less studied realms and former colonies that are now republics. Drawing on a vast range of previously unpublished archival and primary material, The Veiled Sceptre contains fresh perspectives on old controversies. It also reveals constitutional crises in small countries, which have escaped the notice of most scholars. This book places the exercises of reserve powers within the context of constitutional principle and analyses how heads of state should act when constitutional principles conflict. Providing an unrivalled contemporary analysis of reserve powers, it will appeal to constitutional scholars worldwide and others involved in the administration of systems of responsible government.

This book is a comprehensive review and analysis of the reserve powers and their exercise by heads of state in countries that have Westminster systems. It addresses the powers of the Queen in the United Kingdom, those of her vice-regal representatives, and those of heads of state in the less studied realms and former colonies that are now republics. Drawing on a vast range of previously unpublished archival and primary material, The Veiled Sceptre contains fresh perspectives on old controversies. It also reveals constitutional crises in small countries, which have escaped the notice of most scholars. This book places the exercises of reserve powers within the context of constitutional principle and analyses how heads of state should act when constitutional principles conflict. Providing an unrivalled contemporary analysis of reserve powers, it will appeal to constitutional scholars worldwide and others involved in the administration of systems of responsible government.

Using previously secret government documents, The Chameleon Crown re-writes the history of AustraliaaEURO (TM)s relationship with the United Kingdom and the Crown. It makes clear that the Australian States remained colonial dependencies of the British Crown until 1986 when the Australia Act was passed. It was the aEURO~Queen of the United KingdomaEURO (TM), not the aEURO~Queen of AustraliaaEURO (TM) who reigned over them. For many decades historians, lawyers and politicians believed that the British GovernmentaEURO (TM)s role in advising the Queen on State matters was simply a formality and that the British merely provided the aEURO~channel of communicationaEURO (TM) for State advice. This book reveals for the first time the true extent of the independent role played by the British Government in State affairs as well as the significant role of the Queen. The Chameleon Crown takes the reader behind the scenes into the confidential negotiations between the States, the Commonwealth, the British Government and Buckingham Palace on the termination of the colonial links between the States and the United Kingdom. This was a battle of high politics, played by the likes of Whitlam, Murphy, Bjelke-Petersen, Wran, Fraser, Hawke, in which the sovereignty of the States was at stake. It is essential reading for those interested in Australian politics, history and the monarchy.

The Constitution of New South Wales provides for the first time a detailed analysis of all the provisions of the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW), including their legislative history and examples of their use. It covers the constitution, operation and interaction of the State legislature, executive and judiciary, as well as the relationship between the State and the Commonwealth in the federal system. Most importantly, it deals with all the issues necessary to determine the validity of State laws, including: the legislative power of the State Parliament; limitations on legislative power derived from different sources including express and implied limitations in the Commonwealth Constitution; the effectiveness of State manner and form constraints and the consequences of their breach; legislative procedure; and the technical rules concerning the passage of taxation and appropriation bills. Whilst the book uses the Constitution Act 1902 (NSW) as its focus, it addresses constitutional issues arising in all Australian States, such as parliamentary privilege, electoral law and disputes about the qualification and disqualification of Members of Parliament, money bills and parliamentary procedure. It deals with these issues from a State perspective, raising important distinctions that are not addressed in texts on Commonwealth constitutional law. The Constitution of New South Wales places the constitutional framework of the State in its historical and political context. Using previously unpublished government material, it provides a fundamental reassessment of the relationship between the States, the Commonwealth and the United Kingdom, and the first detailed analysis of the negotiation and application of the Australia Acts 1986, which now form a significant part of State constitutions. It explains how the Parliament, the Executive Council and the Cabinet operate in practice, rather than theory, and gives practical examples to illustrate the operation of constitutional provisions. This, the first and only comprehensive analysis of the New South Wales Constitution, is an essential addition to all legal, government and university libraries.