Category: “The Truth Shall Set You Free”

Western Australia, the Late Federation Settlement and the Imperial Examination of the Constitution Bill

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Western Australia’s entry into the Australian Commonwealth occurred at a critical stage in the Federation process. Unlike the eastern colonies, which had participated in the constitutional conventions and had approved the Constitution Bill through referendums in 1898 and 1899, Western Australia joined the process only after the draft Constitution had already been settled and transmitted Read More …

The Crown, the Constitution and the Meaning of the Deleted Words ‘This Act Binds the Crown’

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When the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 was enacted by the Imperial Parliament, the final text differed in a number of respects from the draft approved by the Australian colonies. One of the less publicly discussed changes was the removal of the words contained in the original Covering Clause 2: . “This Act shall Read More …

The Lieber Code: No Longer Binding, Yet Historically Significant

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The battlefield has always been a place where chaos threatens to overpower humanity. Throughout history, soldiers marched under banners of victory, yet civilians, prisoners, and the wounded often paid the highest price. Before the nineteenth century, the rules of war were largely unwritten, depending more on military custom than on legal obligation. Then, during the Read More …

Belligerent or Combatant? Non-Belligerent or Non-Combatant? Which one are you?

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What is the myth of the Belligerent? Our readers have again asked us to explain the legal meanings of the terms belligerent and combatant. One of the more misleading themes found throughout the “Papers” and promoted by influencers is the repeated use of the word “belligerent” as though it applies to the entire civilian population Read More …

Is Australia a Trust Territory of the United Nations?

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“The Truth Shall Set You Free!” Our readers have overwhelmingly reached out seeking clarity on a range of subjects and claims that continue to circulate in Australia. One recurring claim found in various “papers” and promoted by some influencers is that Australia somehow became a United Nations “Trust Territory” following the introduction of the Nationality Read More …

The Misunderstanding of the Reservation of Bills.

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Constitution Watch has received many enquiries about the reservation of Bills. This little known process is often misunderstood, leading to guesswork. Below, we examine the reservation process in sections 58 and 60 of the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.     Section 58 above provides the mechanism of Royal Assent, the Governor General when Read More …