TOPIC 15
EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT
In this topic, the executive governments of the Commonwealth and New South Wales will be
examined. We will look at the sources of executive power; the roles of the Queen, the
Governor-General and the Governor; the executive councils set up to assist the Queen’s
representatives in the exercise of some of their executive powers; the Ministry and the
Cabinet; and responsible government and the reserve powers.
Materials

Reilly et al, Chapters 6 and 7
Cases (extracts only)
Victoria v The Commonwealth (Petroleum and Minerals Authority Case or PMA Case) (1975)
134 CLR 81
Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment v Peko Wallsend (1987) 75 ALR 218
Ruddock v Vadarlis [2001] FCA 1329
Legislation
Constitution ss 53, 54, 55, 57, 61-70, 128
Further reading
Lumb
Morison
15.1
Description and sources of executive power
15.2
Relationship between Senate and House of Representatives


15.3
Commonwealth executive government


15.4
Constitution ss 53, 54, 55, 57, 128
Victoria v The Commonwealth (Petroleum and Minerals Authority Case or PMA
Case) (1975) 134 CLR 81
Constitution ss 61-70
Minister for Arts, Heritage and Environment v Peko Wallsend (1987) 75 ALR 218
at 225
New South Wales executive government



Constitution Act 1902 (NSW) ss 9A, 10, 11A, 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D, 35E, 35F, 47
Australia Act 1986 (Imp) ss 7-10
Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) ss 14, 15