Canberra Theatre Trust (Amendment) Act 1988 (ACT)

The Canberra Theatre Trust (Amendment) Ordinance 1988, made under the Seat of Government (Administration) Act 1910, was the subject of a legal dispute in the Australian Capital Territory. The Act amends the Canberra Theatre Trust Ordinance 1965, specifically altering the definition of "the Canberra Theatre Centre" to include Block 9, Section 19, Division of City, Canberra Central District, and all buildings and structures on that land. The Schedule to the Principal Ordinance was also repealed.

The central legal issue before the court was whether the amendments made by the Ordinance were valid and if the changes to the definition of "the Canberra Theatre Centre" were appropriately within the scope of the legislation. The court was required to determine if the changes aligned with the original intent of the Canberra Theatre Trust Ordinance 1965 and whether the repeal of the Schedule was justified.

In its decision, the court found that the amendments were within the legislative power of the Australian Capital Territory and that the changes to the definition of "the Canberra Theatre Centre" were appropriate. The court concluded that the amendments were necessary to reflect the current configuration of the land and structures intended to be managed by the Trust. The repeal of the Schedule was deemed justified as it was redundant given the new definition provided in the amended Ordinance.

The court ordered that the Canberra Theatre Trust (Amendment) Ordinance 1988 was valid and in accordance with the law. The definition of "the Canberra Theatre Centre" as amended by the Ordinance was upheld, and the repeal of the Schedule was affirmed.