Our Ref:  67-13880

Mr ………………………………..

Email to: xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Dear Mr ……………………

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA CONSTITUTION ACT

Thank you for your letter to the Hon. John Quigley MLA, Attorney General, dated 17 September 2019 regarding the Constitution. The Attorney General has asked me to respond to you.

While I cannot identify from your email in what context the Hon. Sue Ellery, Minister for Education and Training was referring to the Constitution 1901, I can provide a brief outline of the purpose of this legislation.

The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act (the Constitution) came into effect in 1901. It is the fundamental law of Australia binding everybody including the Commonwealth Parliament and the Parliament of the states. An Act passed by a Parliament is invalid if it conflicts with the Constitution.

The Constitution describes the composition, role and powers of the Australian Parliament. This includes how the Commonwealth and states share the power to make laws. The Constitution also details some of the rights of Australian citizens, for example – the right to religious freedom. The Constitution can only be changed with the approval of the Australian people, by referendum.

Further information on the Constitution is available online here:

https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/Po...

Thank you for raising this matter and I trust this has been of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely

https://larryhannigan.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/signature.jpg?w=150 150w" sizes="(max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px" />

Dr Adam Tomison

DIRECTOR GENERAL

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

David Malcolm Justice Centre

28 Barrack Street PERTH WA 6000

GPO Box F317 PERTH WA 6841

Phone (08) 9264 1600 Fax (08) 9264 1121

http://www.justice.wa.gov.au