Constitution of Australia (Cth)

Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (The Constitution)

Compilation No. 6

Compilation date:    29 July 1977

Includes amendments up to:            Act No. 84, 1977

Registered:   18 November 2021

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (The Constitution) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 29 July 1977 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Contents

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Act to extend to the Queen’s successors............................................. 1

3............ Proclamation of Commonwealth......................................................... 1

4............ Commencement of Act........................................................................ 2

5............ Operation of the Constitution and laws............................................... 2

6............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 2

7............ Repeal of Federal Council Act............................................................ 3

8............ Application of Colonial Boundaries Act............................................. 3

9............ Constitution......................................................................................... 3

Chapter I.—The Parliament.  4

Part I.—General.  4

1............ Legislative Power................................................................................ 4

2............ Governor-General............................................................................... 4

3............ Salary of Governor-General................................................................ 4

4............ Provisions relating to Governor-General............................................ 4

5............ Sessions of Parliament........................................................................ 5

6............ Yearly session of Parliament............................................................... 5

Part II.—The Senate.  6

7............ The Senate........................................................................................... 6

8............ Qualification of electors...................................................................... 6

9............ Method of election of senators............................................................ 7

10.......... Application of State laws.................................................................... 7

11.......... Failure to choose senators................................................................... 7

12.......... Issue of writs...................................................................................... 7

13.......... Rotation of senators............................................................................ 8

14.......... Further provision for rotation.............................................................. 8

15.......... Casual vacancies................................................................................. 8

16.......... Qualifications of senator................................................................... 11

17.......... Election of President......................................................................... 11

18.......... Absence of President........................................................................ 11

19.......... Resignation of senator....................................................................... 11

20.......... Vacancy by absence.......................................................................... 11

21.......... Vacancy to be notified....................................................................... 12

22.......... Quorum............................................................................................. 12

23.......... Voting in Senate................................................................................ 12

Part III.—The House of Representatives.  13

24.......... Constitution of House of Representatives......................................... 13

25.......... Provision as to races disqualified from voting.................................. 13

26.......... Representatives in first Parliament.................................................... 14

27.......... Alteration of number of members..................................................... 14

28.......... Duration of House of Representatives.............................................. 14

29.......... Electoral divisions............................................................................. 15

30.......... Qualification of electors.................................................................... 15

31.......... Application of State laws.................................................................. 15

32.......... Writs for general election.................................................................. 15

33.......... Writs for vacancies............................................................................ 16

34.......... Qualifications of members................................................................ 16

35.......... Election of Speaker........................................................................... 16

36.......... Absence of Speaker.......................................................................... 17

37.......... Resignation of member..................................................................... 17

38.......... Vacancy by absence.......................................................................... 17

39.......... Quorum............................................................................................. 17

40.......... Voting in House of Representatives.................................................. 17

Part IV.—Both Houses of the Parliament.  18

41.......... Right of electors of States................................................................. 18

42.......... Oath or affirmation of allegiance....................................................... 18

43.......... Member of one House ineligible for other........................................ 18

44.......... Disqualification................................................................................. 18

45.......... Vacancy on happening of disqualification......................................... 19

46.......... Penalty for sitting when disqualified................................................. 19

47.......... Disputed elections............................................................................. 20

48.......... Allowance to members...................................................................... 20

49.......... Privileges, &c. of Houses................................................................. 20

50.......... Rules and orders............................................................................... 20

Part V.—Powers of the Parliament.  21

51.......... Legislative powers of the Parliament................................................. 21

52.......... Exclusive powers of the Parliament.................................................. 23

53.......... Powers of the Houses in respect of legislation.................................. 24

54.......... Appropriation Bills........................................................................... 24

55.......... Tax Bill............................................................................................. 24

56.......... Recommendation of money votes..................................................... 25

57.......... Disagreement between the Houses.................................................... 25

58.......... Royal assent to Bills.......................................................................... 26

59.......... Disallowance by the…