La Nauze’s ground-breaking work, The Making of the Australian Constitution, has long been a classic in the fields of constitutional law, Australian politics and history. Written in a wry and captivating style, it enlivens the characters and issues of a critical period in Australia’s formation, making it reading for pleasure as well as for learning.

First published in 1972, it provided a historical anchor-point beneath the waves of constitutional litigation that were to follow. Since the High Court permitted reference to the Convention Debates in 1988, it has become an essential reference work for barristers. It is regularly cited by the High Court and is the key to understanding the Commonwealth Constitution in its historical and political context.

La Nauze was not a lawyer and the work benefits from his clear-eyed view of the political and constitutional issues raised, which does not descend into the weeds of technical arguments. His experience as an economist was put to good use in explaining how the Constitution was intended to give effect to a federal economic framework as well as a political one.

Long out of print, The Making of the Australian Constitution has now been republished with a Preface by Justice Edelman of the High Court and a new Introduction by Professor Emerita Anne Twomey.