Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd v Commonwealth
Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd v Commonwealth,[1] was a case decided in the High Court of Australia regarding the scope of the trade and commerce power in section 51(i) of the Constitution.
| Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd v Commonwealth | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Court | High Court of Australia |
| Full case name | Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd v The Commonwealth of Australia |
| Decided | 14 April 1976 |
| Citation(s) | [1976] HCA 20, (1976) 136 CLR 1 |
| Case opinions | |
| (7:0) Section 112 of the Customs Act 1901 (Cth) was a constitutionally valid law under the trade and commerce power | |
| Court membership | |
| Judge(s) sitting | Barwick CJ, McTiernan, Gibbs, Stephen, Mason, Jacobs & Murphy JJ |
Background
Section 112 of the Customs Act 1901,[2] prohibited the exportation of mineral sands unless authorised by the Minister. Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd, which held leases from the state of Queensland to mine mineral sands on Fraser Island, sought permission from the Minister to export mineral sands. Such authorisation was withheld pending the outcome of an environmental inquiry. Murphyores challenged the constitutional validity of prohibition and sought an injunction to the study, and a declaration that the Minister cannot make a prohibition for environmental purposes.
Decision
In a unanimous decision, the court held the legislation was a valid exercise of the trade and commerce power. Section 51(i) was a non-purposive power, and the only relevant factor was the subject matter of trade and commerce. The motive and purpose behind the legislation was irrelevant.
References
- Murphyores Inc Pty Ltd v Commonwealth [1976] HCA 20, (1976) 136 CLR 1 (14 April 1976), High Court.
- Customs Act 1901 (Cth).
- Winterton, G. et al. Australian federal constitutional law: commentary and materials, 1999. LBC Information Services, Sydney.