Commonwealth v Tasmania

Commonwealth v Tasmania, also known as the "Tasmanian Dam Case," was a 1983 Australian High Court case that clarified the limits of federal power. The federal government tried to prevent the construction of a dam in Tasmania’s wilderness, arguing it violated national environmental laws. Tasmania challenged this, claiming the federal government overstepped its constitutional authority. The Court ruled that the federal government could use the "exports" power under the Constitution to restrict the dam's construction, reinforcing that federal laws can regulate environmental matters through specific constitutional powers. This case established important principles about the division of powers between Australia's federal and state governments.