Ronald Owen and Richelle Menzies and Rhonda Bruce and Attorney‑General Of the State Of Queensland

The High Court of Australia considered an appeal concerning the validity of certain provisions of the *Criminal Law Amendment Act 1997* (Qld) and the *Criminal Code Act 1899* (Qld), as amended. The applicants, Ronald Owen, Richelle Menzies, and Rhonda Bruce, challenged the constitutionality of these provisions, which were defended by the Attorney-General of the State of Queensland.

The central legal issue before the Court was whether the impugned legislation, which created new offences and modified existing ones related to the possession and supply of certain drugs, was constitutionally valid. Specifically, the applicants argued that the legislation infringed upon implied constitutional rights or was otherwise beyond the legislative power of the Queensland Parliament.

The Court ultimately found that the legislation was constitutionally valid. The reasoning focused on the established principles of federalism and the division of legislative powers under the Australian Constitution. The Court affirmed that the States retain broad legislative powers to enact criminal laws for the peace, order, and good government of their territories, provided these laws do not trespass upon exclusive Commonwealth powers or contravene express or implied provisions of the Constitution. The Court found no such contravention in the Queensland legislation.