Australian Constitution Centre
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  • The Australian Constitution
    • What is the Australian Constitution
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  • The Six Principles
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    • Rights
  • The High Court
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    • The Role of the High Court
    • Democracy – The Right to vote survives incarceration
    • The Rule of Law - Miners pay rise is unauthorised
    • The Rule of Law – The government overreached when it banned the Communist Party
    • The Rule of Law - Even a murderer deserves a fair trial
    • The Rule of Law - The High Court limits Federal Government spending powers
    • Separation of powers – Well may we say, “God save the Queen”
    • Separation of powers – The powers of State Courts
    • Separation of powers – Parliament cannot make laws to keep evidence from the High Court
    • Federalism – Engineers Union succeeds in the High Court, expanding Federal power
    • Nationhood - The Constitution saves the Franklin River
    • Rights - NSW Government compulsorily acquires wheat during World War I
    • Rights - High Court overturns 200 years of common law
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New citizens take the Australian Oath of Allegiance with Mayor. Source: City of Newcastle

PRINCIPLE 5: NATIONHOOD

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​Australia became a nation in 1901 when the six separate, self-governing colonies joined in a federal union to create the Commonwealth of Australia. The Constitution summoned the Australian nation into existence and conferred a new identity on the people. Over time, Nationhood has evolved through implementation of the Statute of Westminster and the Australian Act, giving us independence from the United Kingdom.

​What is a nation?
A nation is defined by its system of government, its people and by its geographical boundaries. Australia became a nation in 1901 when the six separate, self-governing colonies joined in a federal union to create the Commonwealth of Australia.

The Constitution summoned the Australian nation into existence 
It conferred a new identity on the people, who agreed to unite in “one indissoluble Federal Commonwealth”. Our nation is identified through our national emblems, such as the coat of arms, the Australian flag, the national anthem and our capital city Canberra.

How does the Constitution contribute to our nationhood?
The people who wrote our Constitution knew that our nation would change. So, they gave the people the power to alter the Constitution through referendums. Over time, our nationhood has been consolidated in war, through immigration, economic development and the unifying influence of federal law.

How has our nation evolved?
Our Nationhood evolved in stages with the passage of the Statute of Westminster Act and the Australia Act which gave us independence from the United Kingdom. 

​Nationhood includes the expansion of Federal power
Commonwealth power has grown to cover things which were never thought about before Federation. By using the external affairs powers and corporations powers in section 51, the Parliament can legislate for things never contemplated by those who wrote the Constitution.

Click here to download a PDF of Principle 5: Nationhood in detail

Click here to read about the Nationhood High Court Case - The Constitution saves the Franklin River

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The Coat of Arms Source: High Court of Australia
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Our nationhood is consolidated at times of war. Group portrait of World War I soldiers in camp 1914. Source: State Library of Victoria
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Queen Elizabeth II
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​​Telephone: 1800 009 855
Exhibition Address: High Court of Australia, Canberra 
email: info@australianconstitutioncentre.org.au
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​
  • About Us
  • The Australian Constitution
    • What is the Australian Constitution
    • The Writers of the Australian Constitution
    • The Australian Constitution
  • Origins of the Constitution
    • Where did the Australian System of Government come from?
    • Timeline
  • The Six Principles
    • Democracy
    • The Rule of Law
    • Separation of Powers
    • Federalism
    • Nationhood
    • Rights
  • The High Court
    • The First High Court
    • The Role of the High Court
    • Democracy – The Right to vote survives incarceration
    • The Rule of Law - Miners pay rise is unauthorised
    • The Rule of Law – The government overreached when it banned the Communist Party
    • The Rule of Law - Even a murderer deserves a fair trial
    • The Rule of Law - The High Court limits Federal Government spending powers
    • Separation of powers – Well may we say, “God save the Queen”
    • Separation of powers – The powers of State Courts
    • Separation of powers – Parliament cannot make laws to keep evidence from the High Court
    • Federalism – Engineers Union succeeds in the High Court, expanding Federal power
    • Nationhood - The Constitution saves the Franklin River
    • Rights - NSW Government compulsorily acquires wheat during World War I
    • Rights - High Court overturns 200 years of common law
  • Resources
    • Australian Constitution Centre Resources
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
    • Take the Knowledge Quiz
    • Introduction to the education program
    • Lesson Plans >
      • Lesson Resources ACHASSK134
    • Links to other relevant organisations