Lobby of Parliament House

Australia's National Parliament House, Canberra

House of Representatives, Parliament House

AUSTRALIA'S CONSTITUTION

The Commonwealth Coat of Arms

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    OVERVIEW 
    
      Preamble
      Chapter 1 – The Parliament – Sections 1-60
          Part 1 – General – Sections 1-6
          Part 2 – Senate – Sections 7-23
          Part 3 – House of Representatives – Sections 24-40
          Part 4 – Both Houses – Sections 41-50
          Part 5 – Powers – Sections 51-60
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• Chapter 2 – The Executive Government – Sections 61-70
• Chapter 3 – The Judicature – Sections 71-80
• Chapter 4 – Finance and Trade – Sections 81-105
• Chapter 5 – The States – Sections 106-120
• Chapter 6 – New States – Sections 121-124
• Chapter 7 – Miscellaneous – Section 125-127
• Chapter 8 – Alteration of the Constitution – Section 128
• Schedule – Oath and Affirmation
• Section 1 – Legislative Power
• Section 2 – Governor-General
• Section 3 – Salary of Governor-General
• Section 4 – Provisions relating to Governor-General
• Section 5 – Sessions of Parliament – Prorogation and Dissolution
• Section 6 – Summoning Parliament
• Section 7 – The Senate
• Section 8 – Qualifications of Electors
• Section 9 – Method of election of senators
• Section 10 – Application of State laws
• Section 11 – Failure to choose senators
• Section 12 – Issue of writs
• Section 13 – Rotation of senators
• Section 14 – Further provision for rotation
• Section 15 – Casual vacancies
• Section 16 – Qualifications of senator
• Section 17 – Election of President
• Section 18 – Absence of President
• Section 19 – Resignation of senator
• Section 20 – Vacancy by absence
• Section 21 – Vacancy to be notified
• Section 22 – Quorum
• Section 23 – Voting in the Senate
• Section 24 – Constitution of House of Representatives
• Section 25 – Provisions as to races disqualified from voting
• Section 26 – Representatives in first Parliament
• Section 27 – Alteration of number of members
• Section 28 – Duration of House of Representatives
• Section 29 – Electoral divisions
• Section 30 – Qualification of electors
• Section 31 – Application of State laws
• Section 32 – Writs for general election
• Section 33 – Writs for vacancies
• Section 34 – Qualifications of members
• Section 35 – Election of Speaker
• Section 36 – Absence of Speaker
• Section 37 – Resignation of member
• Section 38 – Vacancy by absence
• Section 39 – Quorum
• Section 40 – Voting in House of Representatives
• Section 41 – Rights of electors of States
• Section 42 – Oath or affirmation of allegiance
• Section 43 – Member of one House ineligible for other
• Section 44 – Disqualification
• Section 45 – Vacancy on happening of disqualification
• Section 46 – Penalty for sitting when disqualified
• Section 47 – Disputed elections
• Section 48 – Allowance to members
• Section 49 – Privileges &c. of Houses
• Section 50 – Rules and orders
• Section 51 – Legislative powers of the Parliament
• Section 52 – Exclusive powers of the Parliament
• Section 53 – Powers of the Houses in respect of legislation
• Section 54 – Appropriation Bills
• Section 55 – Tax Bill
• Section 56 – Recommendation of money votes
• Section 57 – Disagreement between the Houses
• Section 58 – Royal assent to Bills & Recommendations by Governor-General
• Section 59 – Disallowance by the Queen
• Section 60 – Signification of Queen’s pleasure on Bills reserved
• Section 61 – Executive power
• Section 62 – Federal Executive Council
• Section 63 – Provisions referring to Governor-General
• Section 64 – Ministers of State & Ministers to sit in Parliament
• Section 65 – Number of ministers
• Section 66 – Salaries of Ministers
• Section 67 – Appointment of civil servants
• Section 68 – Command of naval and military forces
• Section 69 – Transfer of certain departments
• Section 70 – Certain powers of Governors to vest in Governor-General
• Section 71 – Judicial power and Courts
• Section 72 – Judges’ appointment, tenure and remuneration
• Section 73 – Appellate jurisdiction of High Court
• Section 74 – Appeal to Queen in Council
• Section 75 – Original jurisdiction of High Court
• Section 76 – Additional original jurisdiction
• Section 77 – Power to define jurisdiction
• Section 78 – Proceedings against Commonwealth or State
• Section 79 – Number of judges
• Section 80 – Trial by jury
• Section 81 – Consolidated Revenue Fund
• Section 82 – Expenditure charged thereon
• Section 83 – Money to be appropriated by law
• Section 84 – Transfer of officers
• Section 85 – Transfer of property of State
• Section 86 – Collection and control of duties to pass to Commonwealth
• Section 87 – Revenue to be paid to States in first ten years
• Section 88 – Uniform duties of customs
• Section 89 – Payment to States before uniform duties
• Section 90 – Exclusive power over customs, excise, and bounties
• Section 91 – Exceptions as to bounties
• Section 92 – Trade within the Commonwealth to be free
• Section 93 – Payment to States for five years after uniform tariffs
• Section 94 – Distribution of surplus
• Section 95 – Customs duties of Western Australia
• Section 96 – Financial assistance to States
• Section 97 – Audit
• Section 98 – Trade and commerce includes navigation and State railways
• Section 99 – Commonwealth not to give preference
• Section 100 – Nor abridge right to use water
• Section 101 – Inter-State Commission
• Section 102 – Parliament may forbid preferences by State
• Section 103 – Commissioners’ appointment, tenure, and remuneration
• Section 104 – Saving of certain rates
• Section 105 – Taking over public debts of States
• Section 106 – Saving of Constitutions
• Section 107 – Saving of Power of State Parliaments
• Section 108 – Saving of State laws
• Section 109 – Inconsistency of laws
• Section 110 – Provisions referring to Governor
• Section 111 – States may surrender territory
• Section 112 – States may levy charges for inspection laws
• Section 113 – Intoxicating liquids
• Section 114 – States may not raise forces – Taxation of property of Commonwealth or State
• Section 115 – States not to coin money
• Section 116 – Commonwealth not to legislate in respect of religion
• Section 117 – Rights of residents in States
• Section 118 – Recognition of laws, &c. of States
• Section 119 – Protection of States from invasion and violence
• Section 120 – Custody of offenders against laws of the Commonwealth
• Section 121 – New states may be admitted or established
• Section 122 – Government of territories
• Section 123 – Alteration of limits of States
• Section 124 – Formation of new States
• Section 125 – Seat of Government
• Section 126 – Power to Her Majesty to authorise Governor-General to appoint deputies
• Section 127 – Aboriginal natives not to be counted
• Section 128 – Mode of altering the Constitution

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Side Image: The Commonwealth Coat of Arms contains a shield with the symbols of the six Australian states, enclosed in a border to represent federation in 1901. The shield is held by two native Australian animals, a kangaroo to the left and an emu to the right. They were chosen to symbolise a nation moving forward, based on the fact that neither animal can move backwards easily – symbolising progress. The seven-pointed Commonwealth Star above the crest represents the states and territories.  The national floral emblem, the Golden Wattle lies in the background.  Web:  https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/commonwealth-coat-arms

•        Full Text – Downloadable PDF:  
•        http://australianpolitics.com/2003/07/25/constitution-full-text-pdf.html

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