Bank Mergers Act 1997 (ACT)

The case involved a dispute regarding the extraterritorial application of the Bank Mergers Act 1997 (ACT) and the review of the Act by the Minister. The court had to determine whether the Act's regulations could apply to events and matters occurring outside the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and whether the Minister was required to review the Act and report to the Legislative Assembly.

The court considered the language of the Act, particularly section 5, which allows for the extraterritorial application of regulations made under the Act. The court examined the phrase "so far as…the legislative power of the Legislative Assembly permits" and concluded that the Act's extraterritorial operation was consistent with the Legislative Assembly's power. The court also considered the Act's object, which is to regulate bank mergers in the ACT, and found that the extraterritorial application of the Act was consistent with that object. Regarding the review of the Act, the court found that the Minister was indeed required to review the Act and report to the Legislative Assembly within 15 sitting days after the report is prepared.

The court ruled in favour of the extraterritorial application of the Act's regulations and the requirement for the Minister to review the Act and report to the Legislative Assembly. The court found that the Act's extraterritorial operation was consistent with the Legislative Assembly's power and the Act's object. The court also found that the Minister was required to review the Act and report to the Legislative Assembly within 15 sitting days after the report is prepared.

The court made orders consistent with its findings, affirming the extraterritorial application of the Act's regulations and the requirement for the Minister to review the Act and report to the Legislative Assembly. The court did not make any other orders.