It was a landmark decision that protected the parts of the south-west Tasmanian wilderness from flooding. Manning Clark said it was a great day for Australia.
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The Canberra Times reported on this day 34 years ago the High Court found the federal government was within its constitutional powers in preventing the Franklin River from being dammed.
![The Canberra Times front page for July 2, 1983. The Canberra Times front page for July 2, 1983.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/35sFyBanpD896MKnAH5FRtj/9ad8acf9-4d6b-47cc-a390-93a4c1eb2517.JPG/r0_0_865_1191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
A four-three majority of the court found the three constitutional grounds argued by the Commonwealth in support of the laws were valid, in one of the widest readings of the constitutions the court had ever made.
The external affairs power allowed the Commonwealth to pass laws regarding the World Heritage Convention, the corporations power allowed the federal government to direct the Tasmanian Hydro-Electric Commission to not proceed with the dam, and the so-called "race" power allowed the government to protect Indigenous. archaeological sites.
Tasmanian premier Robin Gray was bitterly disappointed with the decision, but said his government accepted it. He said it was a sad day for both Tasmanians and Australians because the original intent of the constitution had been circumvented.