2. Pre-existing position (i) The issue addressed in Thomas v Mowbray was the power of the Commonwealth Parliament to deal with the threat of terrorism: • •
1 2
especially given the absence of specific powers to deal with that subject or the general criminal law, 4 both of which otherwise come within State legislative power.
[2007] HCA 33 (2 August 2007). The Australian, 1 January 2008, p 8. 3 See in that regard the nine factors submitted by the Commonwealth Solicitor-General which characterizes the threat of terrorism posed to Western civilization in general and Australian in particular: [2007] HCA 33 at [253]. 4 Attorney-General for the Commonwealth v Colonial Sugar Refining Co Ltd [1914] AC 237 (PC).
3
(ii) It is true that Const s 119 obliges the Commonwealth to protect every State against