Unit 3 AOS2A - The Constitution

Key knowledge

• the division of law-making power between state and Commonwealth parliaments under the Commonwealth Constitution, including specific (concurrent and exclusive) and residual powers, and the impact of Section 109
• restrictions imposed by the Commonwealth Constitution on the law-making powers of the state and Commonwealth parliaments
• the process of change by referendum under Section 128 of the Commonwealth Constitution and factors affecting its likely success
• the way in which one successful referendum changed the division of law-making powers
  
• analysing the impact of referendums on the division of law-making powers
• the role of the High Court in interpreting the Commonwealth Constitution
  
• the significance of two High Court cases involving the interpretation of the Commonwealth Constitution in terms of their impact on the law-making power of the state and Commonwealth parliaments
• analysing the impact of High Court interpretations on the division of law-making powers
  
• the capacity of the states to refer law-making power to the Commonwealth Parliament
  
• analysing the impact of referral of powers on the division of law-making powers
  

Key skills

• define key legal terminology and use it appropriately
  
• discuss, interpret and analyse legal information and data
  
• apply legal principles to relevant cases and issues
  
• explain the role of the Commonwealth Constitution with respect to law-making powers and the protection of rights
  
• identify the types of law-making powers
  
• explain the methods and processes of changing constitutional power
  
• analyse the impact of referendums, High Court interpretation of the Constitution, and the referral of powers on the division of law-making powers