LAW5004 Principles of public law and statutory interpretation

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. 1

   Explain the legal principles and institutional arrangements that underpin government in Australia;

2. 2

   Demonstrate an awareness of the principles and values that have shaped the Australian system of government, including representative democracy, the rule of law and human rights;

3. 3

   Articulate and critically examine the purposes and scope of the fundamental constitutional rules that govern the relationships between Parliament, the executive and the judiciary;

4. 4

   Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues;

5. 5

   Select, interpret and apply relevant rules and principles of statutory interpretation in order to reach a considered view on the legal meaning, or likely legal meaning, of a doubtful legislative provision, including determining whether, as a matter of statutory interpretation, a statutory offence requires proof of a mental element and (if so) what that mental element is;

6. 6

   Give a reasoned opinion as to the appropriate meaning of a legislative provision;

7. 7

   Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive; and

8. 8

   Learn and work independently and make use of feedback to support your further learning.