ABOLITION OF N.S.W. COUNCIL

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29390, 17 December 1960, Page 10

ABOLITION OF N.S.W. COUNCIL

Appeal Against Bill Refused (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, December 15. The full High Court dismissed today a challenge to the validity of the New South Wales Legislative Council Abolition Bill. By a 6-1 majority, the Court refused to grant eight Liberal and Country Party politicians special leave to appeal against the bill. The politicians sought to restrain the State Government from proceeding with a referendum to abolish the council. They were ordered today to pay costs. The eight politicians claimed that the Heffron Labour Government’s bill was invalid. The State Government has claimed that the bill is valid and that all necessary constitutional steps have been taken. The Chief Justice, Sir Owen Dixon, and Justices McTiernan, Taylor, Windeyer, Kitto and Menzies gave the majority judgment. Mr Justice Fullagar dissented. He considered that the appeal should be allowed. Six of the applicants, it was stated, were members of the council, and stood to lose £5OO a year and their passes. Government sources said later that the Court’s decision has paved the way for an early referendum.