Test of Canberra's power
The High Court has found in favour of the Federal Government's Industrial Relations Laws rejecting State claims the laws are unconstitutional
States and unions had asked the court to rule the new national industrial relations laws invalid, because they were set up under the corporations power in the Constitution.
The High Court by a 5-2 majority dismissed the challenge.
Two dissenting judgments came from Justices Michael Kirby and Susan Crennan.
In a short statement to the court, Justice Kirby said Work Choices should be declared completely invalid.
The States argued the Constitution restricts the Commonwealth powers over industrial relations to disputes across state borders.
"This removes the one potential cloud over the legislation and it means that Australia at long last, in 2006, has a national system of industrial relations laws,'' Mr Howard told reporters in Sydney.
