Rights+protected+under+the+constitution


 * 1) ==== **Section 8** of the Constitution qualifies who can be a voter. This section provides that if a person can vote in a State election, then he or she cannot be denied a vote in a Federal election. It also provides that a person can vote only once in a Senate election. State governments could, in theory, remove the right to vote to certain groups, by taking away the right to vote in State elections. This was why in some states Aboriginal people did not get the vote until the 1960s ====
 * 2) ==== **Section 24** of the Constitution provides that members of the House of Representatives must be directly chosen by the people, that is, by democratic election. It does not detail the electoral system to be used. An example of various electoral systems illustrates how they can be used to the benefit of some groups. The preferential system does favour the two major parties, which is why they prosecuted the individual in Melbourne in the 1993 election who, as the Supreme Court later affirmed, rightly pointed out that a vote numbered 1,2,3,3,3 is a valid vote for the first two candidates, but becomes extinguished at candidate number 3. That is the preferences do not flow to the major parties, if the voter so chooses. ====
 * 3) ==== **Section 30** provides that each person on a State electoral roll can vote, but only once, in an election for the House of Representatives. However, an elector can vote only in one Division (this reflects the fact that at the time of Federation, in some States, people were allowed to have two votes if they lived in one electoral district but had a large business interest or other property in another electoral district). ====
 * 4) ==== **Section 51** provides that the Australian Government must provide compensation on just terms if it seeks to requisition (compulsorily acquire) property from people. State governments do not have to meet this requirement. NSW and South Australia compulsorily acquired land without compensation in the 1980s. ====
 * 5) ==== **Section 80** guarantees a right to trial by jury but only for those being tried under Federal laws. No such guarantee applies with the states. ====
 * 6) ==== **Section 116** guarantees freedom of religious belief. ====
 * 7) ==== **Section 92** guarantees freedom of movement for goods and for people across State lines. ====
 * 8) ==== **Section 117** prohibits the States from discriminating against people from other States. However a State government is in theory free to discriminate against people born within the state. ====