as with the allocation of powers to the united states congress under the united states constitution, the constitution of australia grants a number of specified powers to the parliament of australia, while leaving unassigned powers to the state parliaments. most of the powers granted to the federal parliament can also be exercised by the state parliaments, though because of section 109 of the australian constitution federal laws will prevail in case of inconsistency. this arrangement resulted in a constitutional dispute as to whether the federal government could be subject to state laws, and vice versa.