in Australia by an individual was not enough to transform the subject matter into an external affair. Judicial power In relation to Polyukhovich's contention that the Act purported to usurp the judicial power of the Chapter III courts, the court held by a majority of 4 to 2 (Brennan J not deciding) that the statute did not invalidly usurp the judicial power of the Commonwealth. While the majority all accepted that a bill of attainder would offend the Commonwealth separation of powers, the fact that a law operated ex post facto did not automatically make the law a bill of attainder. In addition, an ex post facto law of the kind under consideration was not a usurpation of judicial power. References External links Text of the decision See also List of High Court of Australia cases High Court of Australia cases 1991 in Australian law Australian constitutional law Rights in the Australian Constitution cases External affairs power in the Australian Constitution cases 1991 in case law Ex post facto case law