Attorney-General for the Northern Territory v Chaffey

Constitutional law (NT) – Acquisition of property - The respondent was a worker entitled to compensation under the Work Health Act (NT) ("the WHA") - The Work Health Amendment Act 2004 (NT) amended s 49 of the WHA so as to exclude employers' superannuation contributions from the definition of a worker's "remuneration" - Whether the amendment to s 49 was an acquisition of property otherwise than on just terms.

Constitutional law (NT) – The legislative power of the Northern Territory does not extend to the making of laws with respect to the acquisition of property otherwise than on just terms - Statutory right to compensation - Whether amendment to the WHA amounted to an acquisition of property - Relevance of statutory right being "subject to" and "in accordance with" the statute as in force from time to time - Relevance of statutory obligation to provide "such compensation as is prescribed" - Inherent variability of statutory entitlements to workers' compensation.

Words and Phrases – "acquisition of property", "just terms", "remuneration".

Northern Territory (Self –Government) Act 1978 (Cth), ss 5, 6, 50.

Work Health Act (NT) – Pt 5, ss 49, 52, 53.

Work Health Amendment Act 2004 (NT).