The German Constitution turns 60: Human and basic rights through the eyes of Germany and Australia’
An international conference organized by A/Prof Jürgen Bröhmer from the University of New England Law School will bring together leading German and Australian constitutional law experts to discuss key constitutional principles from both a German and Australian perspective.
The conference will take place at the ANU in Canberra on 22 - 23 May 2009 and coincide with the 60th anniversary on 23 May of the Germany’s post-war constitution, the “Grundgesetz” (Basic Law).
The German and Australian constitutions bear similarities and differences. The German constitution contains a prominent and powerful catalogue of human rights limiting the exercise of all governmental power, a feature not found in the Australian constitution. Both constitutions erect a federal order but federalism has developed significantly different. Both countries have powerful constitutional courts and it will be interesting to see what the differences and similarities are and how the two constitutions and the two constitutional courts empowered to interpret them have shaped the political and legal reality in the two countries.
… a basic law for the entire German people
Keynote speakers will be His Excellency Dr Michael Witter, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Hon Jon Stanhope MLA, Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, and the Hon Justice Maxwell, President of the Court of Appeal, Victoria. Distinguished legal experts from Australia and Germany will present a range of issues from their respective perspectives.
The conference will take place Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23 at University House of ANU.
For further information visit the conference website or contact A/Prof Jurgen Brohmer, School of Law, University of New England.