Conversations with the Constitution: Not just a piece of paper

Describes the bitter power struggles of the Australian constitution’s forging, and paints the founding fathers as implausible heroes who managed a profound historical achievement. It talks about parliaments, courts, judges and ministers not just as colourless instruments of the Constitution, but as the walking wounded of political psychology; and it sheds light on today’s great constitutional controversies: Do we need a Bill of Rights? Can federalism work? How can parliament work better? Can we ever be a republic?

• 250 p. ; 22 cm.
• Bibliography : p. [239]-244.
• #070324
• Australia. Constitution Act
• Constitutional law — Australia — Interpretation and construction
• Australia — Politics and government
• Australia — Social conditions
• “‘A blunderbuss of a book. Craven is outrageous, shocking, vulgar, over-the-top. Yet from his larrikin prose may emerge a heightened interest in the Constitution which, for most Australians, is a black hole of ignorance and indifference.’ – Justice Michael Kirby, High Court of Australia”