Who should be controlling the Murray-Darling?
Professor John Williams
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Monday, 13 October 2008
As the debate over water continues, can the Commonwealth take control of the Murray-Darling waters from the States?
This will be discussed by one of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s leading constitutional law experts, , at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's free on Tuesday 14 October.
Professor in Law at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide, Professor Williams will explore the drafting of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Constitution and the impact the decisions of the 1890s are having on water shortages and health of the Murray-Darling Basin today.
"Water quality and quantity and the sustainability of communities are all critical issues for the future of the Murray-Darling Basin," says Professor Williams. "So too are the constitutional arrangements that may facilitate its recovery."
Professor Williams will outline the current constitutional situation and consider the capacity of the Commonwealth to take control in the national interest.
"While agreement between the States must be the preferred option, the question needs to be asked whether the Commonwealth can wrest control of the rivers from the States," says Professor Williams.
Held on the second Tuesday of every month, Research Tuesday gives leading experts from the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide an opportunity to engage with business, community leaders and the general public on issues that impact on them.
Professor Williams is also Associate Dean (Research) in the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's .
He is a member of the Advisory Council of the , Secretary of the , and a Council member of the .
He has written extensively on the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Constitution and his research interests are constitutional law, federalism and ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n legal history, in particular the High Court.
WHAT: Research Tuesday: 'The Constitution and the Murray-Darling Rivers: Send in the Litigators?'
WHERE: Lecture Theatre G04, Napier Building, North Terrace Campus, ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide
WHEN: 5.30pm, Tuesday 14 October
COST: Free. Please book by email: research.tuesdays@adelaide.edu.au or phone: (08) 8303 3692
Contact details
Email: john.williams@adelaide.edu.au
Dean of Law School
Director, South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Law Reform Institute
The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide
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