References & Citations
Chapter 2: The Case for Secession: The Law
Primary Constitutional Instruments and Legislation
1. Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (Imp) 63 & 64 Vict, c 12, Preamble, Covering Clauses 3, 5 and 6, and ss 7, 24, 51(xxxviii), 72, 106–109, 111, 121, 123, 124 and 128 <https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004Q00685/latest/text >.
2. Australia Act 1986 (Cth), especially ss 2, 3, 5, 6 and 15 <https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A03181/latest/text >.
3. Constitution Act 1889 (WA) 52 Vict, No 23, especially s 2 <https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a172.html >.
Judicial Authorities
4. Amalgamated Society of Engineers v Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd (1920) 28 CLR 129.
5. Australian Capital Television Pty Ltd v Commonwealth (1992) 177 CLR 106; [1992] HCA 45.
6. Lange v Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1997) 189 CLR 520; [1997] HCA 25.
7. McGinty v Western Australia (1996) 186 CLR 140; [1996] HCA 48.
8. University of Wollongong v Metwally (1984) 158 CLR 447; [1984] HCA 74.
9. Reference re Secession of Quebec [1998] 2 SCR 217, especially [88], [92]–[97] <https://decisions.scc-csc.ca/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/1643/index.do >.
10. Accordance with International Law of the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in Respect of Kosovo (Advisory Opinion) [2010] ICJ Rep 403 <https://www.icj-cij.org/case/141 >.
International Instruments
11. Charter of the United Nations, especially arts 1(2), 2(4) and 55 <https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter/full-text >.
12. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 999 UNTS 171 (entered into force 23 March 1976), art 1.
13. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, opened for signature 16 December 1966, 993 UNTS 3 (entered into force 3 January 1976), art 1.
14. Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Co-operation among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, GA Res 2625 (XXV), UN Doc A/RES/2625(XXV) (24 October 1970).
15. Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources, GA Res 1803 (XVII), UN Doc A/RES/1803(XVII) (14 December 1962).
Fiscal, Historical and Academic Materials
16. Government of Western Australia, 2025–26 Budget: Economic and Fiscal Outlook, Budget Paper No 3, Appendix 11, 353–356 <https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/2025-26/budget-papers/bp3/2025-26-wa-state-budget-bp3.pdf >.
17. Australian Government, Budget 2026–27, Budget Paper No 1, Statement 6: Expenses and Net Capital Investment, 219–225 <https://budget.gov.au/content/bp1/download/bp1_bs-6.pdf >; Statement 7: Debt Statement, 255–263 <https://budget.gov.au/content/bp1/download/bp1_bs-7.pdf >.
18. Australasian Federal Convention, Official Record of the Debates of the Australasian Federal Convention (1891–98).
19. Gregory Craven, ‘An Indissoluble Federal Commonwealth? The Founding Fathers and the Secession of an Australian State’ (1983) 14 Melbourne University Law Review 281.
20. Gregory Craven, Secession: The Ultimate States Right (Melbourne University Press, 1986).
21. Sukrit Sabhlok, The Legality of Western Australia’s Unilateral Secession (PhD Thesis, Macquarie University, 2022).
22. Secession by Western Australia, ‘History Shows Nations Leave Unions’ (Substack, 14 April 2026) <https://secessionwa.substack.com/p/history-shows-nations-leave-unions >.