This course examines the structure and themes of Australian public law, providing a bridge to all other public law study in the curriculum. In essence, the course examines how public power is structured, distributed, and controlled in Australia. The distinctive roles played by the legislature, the executive and the judiciary receive special attention. Subsidiary themes in the course are protection of individual rights in the Australian legal system, and constitutional change and evolution in Australia. The following topics will be covered:

• the constitutional and legislative framework for Australian public law
• major concepts and themes in Australian public law, including federalism, separation of powers, constitutionalism, representative democracy, rule of law, liberalism and Indigenous sovereignty
• the Legislature, including the structure of Australian legislatures, parliamentary supremacy, and express and implied constitutional limitations on legislative power
• the Executive, including the structure of Executive government, executive power, and liability of the Crown
• the Judiciary, including the constitutional separation of judicial power, and the administrative law implications of judicial separation
• constitutional change and evolution, including constitutional amendment.

In conjunction with LAWS2202 Commonwealth Constitutional Law, this course meets the requirements of the Law Admissions Consultative Committee Prescribed Academic Areas of Knowledge for Federal and State Constitutional Law.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Critically evaluate the reasons why countries adopt written constitutions to regulate the control of government power and the key features of Australia's Constitution, including the capacity for constitutional change, with reference to a range of diverse perspective that include developing an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledges and perspectives.
2. Critically analyse the core features, principles and rules of the Australian constitutional framework covered in the course.
3. Analyse and predict how unresolved and/or ambiguous questions of public law could be resolved by the courts through an analysis of case law, underlying policy and the judicial method.
4. Select and apply a range of legally specific research principles, methods and tools appropriate to plan and execute a public law research project.
5. Select and apply a range of approaches to written and oral communication, and apply the critical thinking required to propose solutions to complex legal problems and/or issues in the context of advising a client in an Australian public law matter.
6. Synthesise and apply a range of domestic secondary legal resources to solve complex public law problems/issues.

Research-Led Teaching

The content of this course is informed by the research interests and expertise of the lecturers. A/Prof Zagor specialises in refugee law, constitutional law, international legal theory and the intersection of law, politics and religion; Dr Dalla-Pozza specialises in national security law, constitutional law, and deliberation; Dr Lester's expertise is in public and international law, taking a socio-legal and critical lens migration and questions of sovereignty; and Dr Chen's research is on freedom of information, privacy, judicial review, and regulation of big data, with a focus on China from a comparative perspective.

Examination Material or equipment

Examinations are held during the University's examination period. Please note that there is an in-person exam in this course. Students should consult the ANU examination timetable once finalised to confirm the date, duration and time of the exam.

Required Resources

Gabrielle Appleby, Megan Davis, Dylan Lino and Alexander Reilly, Australian Public Law (Oxford University Press, 4th ed, 2023)

Recommended Resources

Other textbooks on public law that may serve as starting points for further reading/research include:

• Anthony J Connolly, The Foundations of Australian Public Law: State, Power, Accountability (Cambridge University Press, 2017)
• George Williams, Sean Brennan & Andrew Lynch, Blackshield and Williams’ Australian Constitutional Law & Theory: Commentary & Materials (Federation Press, 7th ed, 2018)
• Joseph, Sarah & Melissa Castan, Federal Constitutional Law: A Contemporary View (Thomson Reuters, 6th ed, 2024, forthcoming)
• Peter Hanks, Frances Gordon & Graeme Hill, Constitutional Law in Australia (LexisNexis Butterworths, 4th ed, 2018)
• Nicholas Aroney, Peter Gerangelos, Sarah Murray and James Stellios, The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia: History, Principle and Interpretation (Cambridge University Press, 2015)
• George Williams and Rosalind Dixon, The High Court, the Constitution and Australian Politics (Cambridge University Press, 2015)
• Martin Loughlin, The Foundations of Public Law (Oxford University Press, 2012)
• Nicole Watson and Heather Douglas (eds), Indigenous Legal Judgments: Bringing Indigenous Voices into Judicial Decision-making (Routledge, 2021)
• Ron Levy, Hoi Kong, Graeme Orr & Jeff King (eds), The Cambridge Handbook of Deliberative Constitutionalism (Cambridge University Press, 2018)
• Cheryl Saunders, The Constitution of Australia: A Contextual Analysis (Hart, 2011)
• Douglas, Barker, Luker and Hunter, Australian Feminist Judgments (Hart, 2014)
• Cheryl Saunders and Adrienne Stone (eds) The Oxford Handbook of the Australian Constitution (OUP, 2018)
• Keyzer, Goff and Fisher, Principles of Australian Constitutional Law (LexisNexis, 2016)

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Task submission times refer to Canberra time (AEST/AEDT).

Extensions, late submission and penalties: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Extenuating circumstances: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/extenuating-circumstances-application

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of grades policy: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further information about the course: is available from the course Wattle page. Students are required to access the Wattle site regularly throughout the course for any announcements relating to the course.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The ANU Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as providing clear guidance on the responsible and ethical use of AI technologies.

The following resources may also be useful:

• The ANU Library's Libguide is a valuable resource for gaining a comprehensive understanding of AI's role in academia.

• The ANU Academic Skills site provides useful information to ensure that you leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

• The ANU College of Law Academic Integrity and Misconduct site provides content related to legal implications, ethical guidelines, and considerations when dealing with AI in the context of law.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Goss - Introduction to Australian Public Law I: The Uluru Statement; Constitutions & Constitutionalism	In line with the University’s recording policy, lectures will be recorded and made available for students on Echo360. However, lecture recordings are only an additional resource and they should not be taken as a substitute for regular attendance. If a recording does fail, there is no guarantee a replacement recording will be provided. Lecture (3 hr) [NO TUTORIAL]
2	Goss - Introduction to Australian Public Law IIThe stories of Washminster, the Hackett prediction, and the Territory Senators: Federalism, the States & Territories, Representative & Responsible Government, and how constitutional conventions work.	Lecture (3 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
3	Chen - Legislature I Electoral Rights	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
4	Chen - Legislature IILegislative Power & State Constitutions	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
5	Chen - Legislature III: a) Delegating Legislative Power to the Executive; b) Changing the Constitution - a 'living instrument'?	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
6	Chen/Dalla-Pozza - Executive IThe Structure of the Executive & the Nature and Content of Executive Power: The Structure of the Executive & the Nature and Content of Executive Power	Lecture (2 hr) [NO TUTORIAL]
7	Chen/Dalla-Pozza - Executive IIExecutive Power (Prerogative & Nationhood)	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
8	Chen/Dalla-Pozza - Executive IIIAccountability - Spending, Justiciability and Privilege	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
9	Lester - Judiciary IThe Nature & Separation of Judicial Power	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
10	Lester - Judiciary IIJudicial Adjustment of the Separation of Judicial Power	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
11	Lester - Judiciary IIIThe States	Lecture (2 hr) + Tutorial (1.5 hr)
12	Examination Prep	Lecture (2 hr) [NO TUTORIAL]

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials / seminars so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the My Timetable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Quiz	0 %	*	*	2,3,6
Mid-semester Assessment	50 %	07/04/2025	15/05/2025	1,2,3,4,5,6
Formal Examination	50 %	*	*	3,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

For all courses taught in any mode (whether face to face or online), the ANU College of Law considers participation in the classes offered to be an important part of the educational experience of the program. Students are expected to attend all classes.

Examination(s)

Please note that there is an in-person exam in this course. Students should consult the ANU examination timetable once finalised to confirm the date, duration and time of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Quiz

Details of Task: This online quiz is designed to give students feedback on their comprehension of the public law themes introduced in the first two weeks of the course. It will allow students to test their knowledge of these key themes.

These public law themes are essential for a foundational understanding of public law. Students will be tested again on these themes (especially on the themes' application to concrete cases) in subsequent assessments.

Nature of Task: Optional. This assessment task is designed to give students an opportunity to receive feedback on their progress in the course.

Weighting: 0%

Release Date: 5pm, Monday 17 March 2025.

Due Date: The optional online quiz will remain open for attempts throughout the course teaching period.

Estimated return date: Results are available immediately upon completion of quiz.

Assessment Criteria: This task is marked automatically according to accuracy of understanding of course content.

Assessment Task 2

Mid-semester Assessment

Details of Task: This assessment will present a legal problem scenario, which students will need to analyse (1) doctrinally (20 marks, approx 1000 words) and (2) thematically (30 marks, approx 1500 words).

• The PROBLEM QUESTION (doctrinal analysis) will require students to discuss, in standard problem format (ie IRAC), how the laws introduced in Weeks 1-6 apply to the problem scenario.
• The ESSAY (thematic analysis) will require students to discuss how certain broad themes (eg, concepts of rights) relate to specific legal controversies. These themes will be set out in clear terms in key readings and a related video-lecture, which students can watch and re-watch on their own time. The main aim is to develop the cognitive skill of analysing legal issues in terms of their normative significance (eg their social impact). Students will need to conduct a close reading of the assigned academic text, and will supplement their knowledge through further research and reading.

Nature of task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Any student who does not submit either part of this assessment will receive a 0 for that part.

Value or weighting: 50%

Release date: Wednesday 5 March 2025

Due date: 5pm, Monday 7 April 2025 via Turnitin. Late submission (without an extension) is permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Word limit: 2,500 words (excluding any footnotes; however, footnotes must only contain citations). The word limit will be strictly applied. The ANU College of Law's Word Length and Excess Word penalties policy can be found here.

Submission Requirements: Submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

Estimated return date: 15 May 2025

Assessment Criteria: An assessment rubric will be available in Wattle.

Assessment Task 3

Formal Examination

Description of task: The exam will require students to answer one problem question. Students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the relevant doctrinal legal principles and apply them to a factual scenario presented in the exam. The exam will cover course content from Weeks 7-11. There is no thematic component in this assessment.

Nature of task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this assessment task.

Timing: Students should consult the ANU examination timetable once finalised to confirm the date, duration and time of the exam.

Duration: Students will need to check the examination timetable once published.

Weighting: 50%

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date. 

Assessment Criteria: Exams will be graded according to how well they:

• Identify the relevant issues from the factual situation presented in the question.
• Identify and accurately explain the applicable legal principles, giving authority.
• Accurately and concisely apply the legal principles to the factual situation.
• Avoid irrelevant issues.
• Comprise a well-structured and written answer that responds to the question and organises ideas and arguments in a logical way.
• Comply with the principles of academic honesty.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. You must ensure that you upload the correct document on the specified submission due date and time. Any document modified after the due date and time will either incur a late penalty or will NOT be accepted. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education), submission must be through Turnitin in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. 

• Late submission is not accepted for tests or examinations.

• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been granted an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time will be provided in writing. Importantly, any revised due date is inclusive of weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date will be penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the task per 24-hour period.  

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

All marks and feedback will be provided by the return date listed in the class summary. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission is not guaranteed. Please ensure that you have reviewed your submission carefully before you submit.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students