Australian Public Law develops a clear theoretical framework for investigating public law. It provides comprehensive coverage of the foundational principles of public law in Australia, and introduces students to the three key institutions of government; the Judiciary, Parliament and Executive. Rather than simply describing the nature and function of these institutions, it discusses them through the key issues that arise from their functions; for the parliament, democratic legitimacy and law making, for the executive, power, control and accountability, and for the judiciary, the justification for and exercise of its power of review of laws and executive action. The book explains the role of international law as an institution of public law and its relationship to Australian public law. The final section introduces students to three specific topics as examples of Australian public law - human rights at federal and state level; Indigenous peoples and public law; and safeguarding Australia from the threat of violence.
Written in an engaging style, students will find this the ideal introduction to public law that will serve as a strong foundation for further study in administrative and constitutional law.