Interpretation Act 1984 (WA)

Western Australia

Interpretation Act 1984

Western Australia

Interpretation Act 1984 Contents

Western Australia

Interpretation Act 1984

An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to the construction, application, interpretation, and operation of written law; to provide for the exercise of statutory powers and duties; and to provide for connected or incidental purposes.

Part I – Preliminary1.Short title

This Act may be cited as the Interpretation Act 1984.

2.Commencement

This Act shall come into operation on 1 July 1984.

3.Application

(1)
The provisions of this Act apply to every written law, whether the law was enacted, passed, made, or issued before or after the commencement of this Act, unless in relation to a particular written law —
- (a)
  express provision is made to the contrary; or
- (b)
  in the case of an Act, the intent and object of the Act or something in the subject or context of the Act is inconsistent with such application; or
- (c)
  in the case of subsidiary legislation, the intent and object of the Act under which that subsidiary legislation is made is inconsistent with such application.
(2)
The provisions of this Act apply to this Act as they apply to an Act passed after this Act commences.
(3)
A reference in section 17, 25, 43(6), 50 or 64 to an Act, written law, enactment, or subsidiary legislation passed or made after the commencement of this Act shall be construed so as not to include any enactment which continues or directly amends, but does not repeal entirely, the text of an existing written law 1.

[Section 3 amended: No. 34 of 2020 s. 93.]

4.Act binds Crown

This Act binds the Crown.

Part II – General interpretation provisions5.Terms used in written laws

In this Act and every other written law —

act used with reference to an offence or civil wrong includes an omission and extends to a series of acts or omissions or a series of acts and omissions;

Act means any Act or Ordinance passed by the Parliament of Western Australia, or by any Council previously having authority or power to pass laws in Western Australia, such Act or Ordinance having been assented to by or on behalf of Her Majesty;

affidavit means an affidavit made in accordance with the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 or made before the commencement of that Act in accordance with law;

alternative offence, when used in relation to an offence, has the meaning given by section 10B of The Criminal Code;

amend means replace, substitute, in whole or in part, add to or vary, and the doing of any 2 or more of such things simultaneously or by the same written law;

ASIC Law and ASIC Regulations have the meaning provided for by Part 11 of the Corporations (Western Australia) Act 1990;

Auditor General means the person holding the office of Auditor General for Western Australia continued by section 6 of the Auditor General Act 2006;

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia;

Australia Acts means —

(a)
the Australia Act 1986 of the Commonwealth; and
(b)
the Australia Act 1986 of the United Kingdom;

bank holiday, in relation to an area, means a day that is appointed or declared a bank holiday for that area by or under the Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972;

bankrupt and bankrupt or a person whose affairs are under insolvency laws have the meanings given in section 13D;

book —

(a)
when used in relation to the recording of accounting or financial information, includes any method or system of recording such information that has been approved by the Treasurer; and
(b)
when used in relation to the recording of information other than accounting or financial information, includes any method or system of recording such information that has been approved by the Minister to whom the administration of the relevant enactment has been committed by the Governor;

British possession means any part of Her Majesty’s dominions outside the United Kingdom; and where parts of such dominions are under both a central and local legislature, all parts under the central legislature are deemed, for the purposes of this definition, to be one British possession;

by‑law means a by‑law made under the Act in which the term is used;

chief executive officer has the meaning given by the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and —

(a)
when used in relation to —
(i)
an agency within the meaning of that Act; or
(ii)
an office or employee in, or anything else connected with, an agency within the meaning of that Act,

means the chief executive officer of the agency; and

(b)
when used in an enactment otherwise than in the circumstances referred to in paragraph (a), means the chief executive officer of the agency principally assisting the Minister administering the enactment in its administration;

Children’s Court means the Children’s Court of Western Australia established by the Children’s Court of Western Australia Act 1988;

commencement, in relation to an enactment, means the time when the enactment came or comes into operation;

Commissioner of State Revenue means the Commissioner of State Revenue appointed under the Public Sector Management Act 1994 for the purposes of the Taxation Administration Act 2003;

Commonwealth means the Commonwealth of Australia;

Commonwealth Act or Act of the Commonwealth means an Act passed by the Parliament of the Commonwealth;

Consolidated Account means the Consolidated Account referred to in section 64 of the Constitution Act 1889;

contravene, in relation to any requirement or condition prescribed in a written law or in any grant, permit, lease, licence, or other authority under a written law, includes a failure to comply with that requirement or condition;

Corporations Law and Corporations Regulations have the meaning provided for by Part 3 of the Corporations (Western Australia) Act 1990;

Court of Appeal means the Court of Appeal established under the Supreme Court Act 1935;

court of summary jurisdiction means the Children’s Court or the Magistrates Court;

death, of a person, has a meaning affected by section 13C;

de facto partner and de facto relationship have the meanings given in section 13A;

definition means the interpretation given by any written law to a word or expression;

District Court means The District Court of Western Australia established by the District Court of Western Australia Act 1969;

District Court judge means a judge, acting judge or auxiliary judge of the District Court;

document includes any publication and any matter written, expressed, or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures, or marks, or by more than one of those means, which is intended to be used or may be used for the purpose of recording that matter;

enactment means a written law or any portion of a written law;

estate, in relation to land, includes any legal or equitable estate or interest, easement, right, title, claim, demand, charge, lien, or encumbrance in, over, to, or in respect of the land;

Family Court or Family Court of Western Australia means the Family Court of Western Australia continued by the Family Court Act 1997;

financial year means the period of 12 months ending on 30 June;

function includes powers, duties, responsibilities, authorities, and jurisdictions;

Gazette or Government Gazette means the government gazette of Western Australia (or a supplement to that gazette) —

(a)
published, or purporting to be published, under the authority of the Government —
(i)
in hard copy form; or
(ii)
in electronic form (whether or not originally published in hard copy form);

and

(b)
whether published, or purporting to be published, before or after the commencement of the Legislation Act 2021 section 48(2);

Government means the Government of the State;

Government Printer means a person authorised by or on behalf of the Government to publish, in hard copy or electronic form, any written law or any other instrument of the Government;

Governor means the Governor of the State and includes the officer for the time being administering the Government of the State;

Her Majesty, His Majesty, Queen, King, or Crown means the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, and Head of the Commonwealth and includes the predecessors and the heirs and successors of the Sovereign;

Imperial Act means an Act passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom;

indictable offence has the meaning given by section 67;

individual means a natural person;

judge means a judge, acting judge or auxiliary judge of the Supreme Court;

justice of the peace or justice or JP means a justice of the peace appointed under the Justices of the Peace Act 2004;

land includes buildings and other structures, land covered with water, and any estate, interest, easement, servitude or right in or over land;

lawyer means an Australian lawyer as defined in the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA) section 6(1);

legal practitioner means an Australian legal practitioner as defined in the Legal Profession Uniform Law (WA) section 6(1);

local government means a local government established under the Local Government Act 1995;

local government district has the meaning given by section 13CA;

local law means a local law made by a local government under the Act in which the term is used;

magistrate means a magistrate of the Magistrates Court;

Magistrates Court means the Magistrates Court of Western Australia established by the Magistrates Court Act 2004;

Minister has the meaning given in section 12;

Minister for Public Sector Management means the Minister of the Crown to whom the administration of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 is for the time being committed by the Governor;

month has the meaning given in section 62;

oath means an oath or affirmation taken or made in accordance with the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 or taken or made before the commencement of that Act in accordance with law;

parent includes the following —

(a)
a person who is a parent within the meaning of the Artificial Conception Act 1985;
(b)
a person who is an adoptive parent under the Adoption Act 1994;
(c)
a person who is a parent in a relationship of parent and child that arises because of a parentage order under the Surrogacy Act 2008;

Parliament means the Parliament of the State;

penalty means a fine, imprisonment, or other form of punishment, including the suspension or cancellation of a licence, registration or permit and disqualification from obtaining a licence, registration or permit;

perform, in relation to functions, includes the exercise of a power, responsibility, authority or jurisdiction;

person or any word or expression descriptive of a person includes a public body, company, or association or body of persons, corporate or unincorporate;

police officer means a person appointed under Part I of the Police Act 1892 to be a member of the Police Force of Western Australia;

power includes any privilege, authority, or discretion;

prescribed means —

(a)
prescribed by or under the written law in which the word occurs; and
(b)
in a case where reference is made to anything prescribed by a written law other than the law in which the word occurs, includes anything prescribed by subsidiary legislation made under that other written law;

proclamation means a proclamation made by the Governor and published in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website;

public half‑holiday, in relation to an area, means a part of a day that is appointed or declared a public half‑holiday for that area by or under the Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972;

public holiday, in relation to an area, means a day that is appointed or declared a public holiday for that area by or under the Public and Bank Holidays Act 1972;

Public Sector Commissioner means the person holding the office established by the Public Sector Management Act 1994 section 16;

Public Service has the meaning given by the Public Sector Management Act 1994;

public service holiday means a holiday prescribed as such under the Public Service Act 1978 2;

public service officer has the meaning given in the Public Sector Management Act 1994 section 3(1);

publication means —

(a)
all written and printed matter; and
(b)
any record, tape, wire, perforated roll, cinematograph film or images or other contrivance by means of which any words or ideas may be mechanically, electronically, or electrically produced, reproduced, represented, or conveyed; and
(c)
anything whether of a similar nature to that described in paragraph (b) or not, containing any visible representation, or by its form, shape, or in any manner capable of producing, reproducing, representing, or conveying words or ideas; and
(d)
every copy and reproduction of a publication as defined in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c);

regional local government means a regional local government established under the Local Government Act 1995;

regional subsidiary means a regional subsidiary established under the Local Government Act 1995;

regulation means a regulation made under the Act in which the term is used;

repeal includes rescind, revoke, cancel, or delete;

Royal Assent means assent by or in the name of Her Majesty;

rule means a rule made under the Act in which the term is used;

rules of court has the meaning given by section 66;

sell includes barter, exchange, offer to sell and expose for sale;

sign includes the affixing or making of a seal, mark or thumbprint;

simple offence has the meaning given by section 67;

sitting days, in relation to either House of Parliament, means days on which such House actually sits;

spouse, in relation to a person, means a person who is lawfully married to that person;

Standards Australia means Standards Australia International Limited (ACN 087 326 690) and includes a reference to the Standards Association of Australia as constituted before 1 July 1999;

State means a State of the Commonwealth;

State Administrative Tribunal means the State Administrative Tribunal established under the State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004;

statutory declaration means a statutory declaration made in accordance with the Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005 or made before the commencement of that Act in accordance with law;

subsidiary legislation means any proclamation, regulation, rule, local law, by‑law, order, notice, rule of court, local or region planning scheme, resolution, or other instrument, made under any written law and having legislative effect;

summary conviction means a conviction by a court of summary jurisdiction;

summary conviction penalty, when used in relation to an indictable offence, has the effect provided for by section 5 of The Criminal Code;

Supreme Court means the Supreme Court of Western Australia;

swear includes to affirm;

Territory means a Territory of the Commonwealth;

the State or this State means the State of Western Australia;

under, in relation to a written law or a provision of a written law, includes “by”, “in accordance with”, “pursuant to” and “by virtue of”;

United Kingdom means the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland;

Valuer‑General means the Valuer‑General under the Valuation of Land Act 1978;

WA legislation website has the meaning given in the Legislation Act 2021 section 8(1);

will includes a codicil and every writing making a voluntary posthumous disposition of property;

words includes figures and symbols;

writing and expressions referring to writing include printing, photography, photocopying, lithography, typewriting and any other modes of representing or reproducing words in visible form;

written law means all Acts for the time being in force and all subsidiary legislation for the time being in force;

year means a period of 12 months.

[Section 5 amended: No. 98 of 1985 s. 3; No. 113 of 1987 s. 32; No. 49 of 1988 s. 41; No. 105 of 1990 s. 97; No. 15 of 1991 s. 21; No. 30 of 1992 s. 21; No. 6 of 1993 s. 11; No. 32 of 1994 s. 15; No. 73 of 1994 s. 4; No. 85 of 1994 s. 4; No. 14 of 1996 s. 4; No. 23 of 1997 s. 9; No. 41 of 1997 s. 33; No. 10 of 1998 s. 40(1); No. 26 of 1999 s. 89; No. 3 of 2002 s. 84; No. 45 of 2002 s. 16; No. 74 of 2003 s. 69(2); No. 4 of 2004 s. 58; No. 45 of 2004 s. 33(2); No. 54 of 2004 s. 175(2); No. 59 of 2004 s. 141; No. 70 of 2004 s. 36(12); No. 24 of 2005 s. 55; No. 38 of 2005 s. 15; No. 59 of 2006 s. 73; No. 60 of 2006 s. 183; No. 77 of 2006 Sch. 1 cl. 92; No. 29 of 2008 s. 35(2); No. 47 of 2008 s. 69; No. 18 of 2009 s. 4; No. 31 of 2010 s. 4; No. 39 of 2010 s. 78; No. 26 of 2016 s. 64; No. 13 of 2021 s. 48; No. 9 of 2022 s. 361.]

6.Definitions in a written law, application of

Definitions or rules of interpretation contained in a written law apply to the construction of the provisions of the written law that contain those definitions or rules of interpretation as well as to other provisions of that written law.

7.Written laws to be construed subject to State’s legislative power

Every written law shall be construed subject to the limits of the legislative power of the State and so as not to exceed that power to the intent that where any enactment thereof, but for this section, would be construed as being in excess of that power, it shall nevertheless be valid to the extent to which it is not in excess of that power.

8.Written laws always speaking

A written law shall be considered as always speaking and whenever a matter or thing is expressed in the present tense, it shall be applied to the circumstances as they arise, so that effect may be given to every part of the law according to its true spirit, intent, and meaning.

9.Parts of speech and grammatical forms

Where a word or phrase is defined in a written law, other parts of speech and grammatical forms of that word or phrase have corresponding meanings.

10.Gender and number

In any written law —

(a)
words that indicate or could be taken to indicate a person of a particular gender or sex (for example, he, she, chairman, workman) include —
- (i)
  any individual, regardless of gender or sex; and
- (ii)
  any person that is not an individual;

[(b)
deleted]
- (c)
  words in the singular number include the plural and words in the plural number include the singular.

[Section 10 amended: No. 73 of 1994 s. 4; No. 13 of 2021 s. 49.]

11.Sovereign, references to

A reference in a written law to the Sovereign reigning at the time the law was enacted or made, or to the Crown, shall be construed as a reference to the Sovereign for the time being.

12.Minister, references to

A reference in a written law to the Minister shall be construed —

(a)
in the case of a reference in an Act, as a reference to the Minister of the Crown to whom the administration of the Act, or the provision of the Act, in which or in respect of which the term is used, is for the time being committed by the Governor; and
(b)
in the case of a reference in subsidiary legislation, as a reference to the Minister of the Crown to whom the administration of the Act, or the provision of the Act, under which the subsidiary legislation is made, is for the time being committed by the Governor; and
(c)
so as to include a Minister of the Crown for the time being acting for or on behalf of the Minister referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), as the case may require.

13.British subject etc., references to

(1)
In this section —

Commonwealth Act means the Australian Citizenship Act 1948 3 of the Parliament of the Commonwealth, as amended;

law of the State means a written law in force in the State.

(2)
A reference in any law of the State to a British subject or to a natural born or naturalized subject of Her Majesty or to any other like expression, shall be read as a reference to an Australian citizen and to any other person who, under the Commonwealth Act, has the status of a British subject or has the status of a British subject without citizenship.
(3)
Where a rule of law applies to, or in relation to, or has effect with respect to a British subject, that rule of law applies to, or in relation to, or has effect with respect to an Australian citizen and any other person who, under the Commonwealth Act, has the status of a British subject or has the status of a British subject without citizenship, as if that Australian citizen or other person were a British subject.

13A.De facto relationship and de facto partner, references to

(1)
A reference in a written law to a de facto relationship shall be construed as a reference to a relationship (other than a legal marriage) between 2 persons who live together in a marriage‑like relationship.
(2)
The following factors are indicators of whether or not a de facto relationship exists between 2 persons, but are not essential —
- (a)
  the length of the relationship between them;
- (b)
  whether the 2 persons have resided together;
- (c)
  the nature and extent of common residence;
- (d)
  whether there is, or has been, a sexual relationship between them;
- (e)
  the degree of financial dependence or interdependence, and any arrangements for financial support, between them;
- (f)
  the ownership, use and acquisition of their property (including property they own individually);
- (g)
  the degree of mutual commitment by them to a shared life;
- (h)
  whether they care for and support children;
- (i)
  the reputation, and public aspects, of the relationship between them.
(3)
It does not matter whether —
- (a)
  the persons are different sexes or the same sex; or
- (b)
  either of the persons is legally married to someone else or in another de facto relationship.
(4)
A reference in a written law to a de facto partner shall be construed as a reference to a person who lives, or where the context requires, has lived, in a de facto relationship.
(5)
The de facto partner of a person (the first person) is the person who lives, or lived, in the de facto relationship with the first person.

[Section 13A inserted: No. 3 of 2002 s. 85.]

13B.Standards Association of Australia, references to

A reference in a written law (other than this Act) to the Standards Association of Australia shall be read as a reference to Standards Australia.

[Section 13B inserted as 13A: No. 74 of 2003 s. 69(3); renumbered as 13B under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(5)(c)(ii).]

13CA.Local government districts, references to

(1)
In a written law —

local government district means a district under the Local Government Act 1995.

(2)
A reference in a written law to a named local government district is a reference to the local government district that has that name under the Local Government Act 1995.

Example for this section:

1.
“Perth local government district” refers to the local government district named Perth.
2.
“Narrogin (Shire) local government district” refers to the local government district named Narrogin (Shire).]

[Section 13CA inserted: No. 31 of 2010 s. 5; amended: No. 17 of 2014 s. 27.]

13C.When death of a person occurs

For the purposes of the law of this State, a person dies when there occurs —

(a)
irreversible cessation of all function of the person’s brain; or
(b)
irreversible cessation of circulation of blood in the person’s body.

[Section 13C inserted: No. 29 of 2008 s. 35(3).]

13D.Bankrupt and related expressions, references to

(1)
A reference in a written law to a person being a bankrupt means that the person is a bankrupt as defined in the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Commonwealth) or has a substantially similar status under a law applicable in a place where that Act does not apply.
(2)
A reference in a written law to a person being a bankrupt or a person whose affairs are under insolvency laws means that —
- (a)
  the person is a bankrupt as described in subsection (1); or
- (b)
  the person is a party, as a debtor, to a debt agreement under the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Commonwealth); or
- (c)
  the person has, as a debtor, entered into a personal insolvency agreement under Part X of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Commonwealth) and obligations created by the agreement remain to be discharged; or
- (d)
  the person has not yet entered a personal insolvency agreement under Part X of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Commonwealth) but has authorised a controlling trustee to perform functions under that Part,

or that the person has a substantially similar status under a law applicable in a place where the Bankruptcy Act 1966 (Commonwealth) does not apply.

[Section 13D inserted: No. 18 of 2009 s. 5.]

14.References to 2 or more provisions to be inclusive

A reference in a written law by number or letter or by number and letter to 2 or more portions of a written law shall be construed as including the portion described by the reference first‑mentioned and the portion described by the reference last‑mentioned.

15.Internal references in written laws, construction of

(1)
Where in an Act reference is made to a Part, Chapter, section, schedule, appendix, or form without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a Part, Chapter, section, schedule, appendix, or form of or to some other Act is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a Part, Chapter, section, schedule, appendix, or form of or to the Act in which the reference is made.
(2)
Where in a provision of an Act reference is made to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, or other division of some other provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, or other division of the provision in which the reference is made.
(3)
Where in a schedule to an Act reference is made to a clause, subclause, paragraph or other division without anything in the context to indicate that a reference to a clause, subclause, paragraph, or other division of some other provision is intended, the reference shall be construed as a reference to a clause, subclause, paragraph, or other division of the schedule or provision of the schedule in which the reference is made.
(4)
The provisions of subsections (1), (2), and (3) shall apply, subject to the necessary modifications, to the construction of subsidiary legislation.

15A.Reference to paragraph

(1)
In this section —

paragraph includes a subparagraph, item, subitem and any other similar provision.

(2)
A reference in a written law to a paragraph includes a reference to a conjunction after it connecting it to another paragraph.

[Section 15A inserted: No. 31 of 2010 s. 6.]

16.Reference to written law is to written law as amended

(1)
A reference in a written law to a written law shall be deemed to include a reference to such written law as it may from time to time be amended.
(2)
A reference in a written law to a provision of a written law shall be construed as a reference to such provision as it may from time to time be amended.
(3)
A reference in a written law to an Imperial Act or a Commonwealth Act, or to a provision of an Imperial Act or a Commonwealth Act, shall be construed so as to include a reference to such Act or provision as it may from time to time be amended.

17.Disjunctive construction of “or”

In relation to a written law passed or made after the commencement of this Act, but subject to section 3(3), or, other, and otherwise shall be construed disjunctively and not as implying similarity unless the word “similar” or some other word of like meaning is added.

18.Purpose or object of written law, use of in interpretation

In the interpretation of a provision of a written law, a construction that would promote the purpose or object underlying the written law (whether that purpose or object is expressly stated in the written law or not) shall be preferred to a construction that would not promote that purpose or object.

19.Extrinsic material, use of in interpretation

(1)
Subject to subsection (3), in the interpretation of a provision of a written law, if any material not forming part of the written law is capable of assisting in the ascertainment of the meaning of the provision, consideration may be given to that material —
- (a)
  to confirm that the meaning of the provision is the ordinary meaning conveyed by the text of the provision taking into account its context in the written law and the purpose or object underlying the written law; or
- (b)
  to determine the meaning of the provision when —
  - (i)
    the provision is ambiguous or obscure; or
  - (ii)
    the ordinary meaning conveyed by the text of the provision taking into account its context in the written law and the purpose or object underlying the written law leads to a result that is manifestly absurd or is unreasonable.
(2)
Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the material that may be considered in accordance with that subsection in the interpretation of a provision of a written law includes —
- (a)
  all matters not forming part of the written law that are set out in an official version of the law under the Legislation Act 2021; and
- (b)
  any relevant report of a Royal Commission, Law Reform Commission, committee of inquiry or other similar body that was laid before either House of Parliament before the time when the provision was enacted; and
- (c)
  any relevant report of a committee of Parliament or of either House of Parliament that was made to Parliament or that House of Parliament before the time when the provision was enacted; and
- (d)
  any treaty or other international agreement that is referred to in the written law; and
- (e)
  any explanatory memorandum relating to the Bill containing the provision, or any other relevant document, that was laid before, or furnished to the members of, either House of Parliament by a Minister before the time when the provision was enacted; and
- (f)
  the speech made to a House of Parliament by a Minister on the occasion of the moving of a motion that the Bill containing the provision be read a second time in that House; and
- (g)
  any document (whether or not a document to which a preceding paragraph applies) that is declared by the written law to be a relevant document for the purposes of this section; and
- (h)
  any relevant material in any official record of proceedings in either House of Parliament.
(3)
In determining whether consideration should be given to any material in accordance with subsection (1), or in considering the weight to be given to any such material, regard shall be had, in addition to any other relevant matters, to —
- (a)
  the desirability of persons being able to rely on the ordinary meaning conveyed by the text of the provision taking into account its context in the written law and the purpose or object underlying the written law; and
- (b)
  the need to avoid prolonging legal or other proceedings without compensating advantage.

[Section 19 amended: No. 13 of 2021 s. 50.]

Part III – Commencement and citation20.Commencement of Acts

(1)
Every Act to which the Royal Assent has been given before 1 July 1984 shall be deemed to have come into operation on the day on which that Act received the Royal Assent, unless the contrary intention appears in the Act.
(2)
Every Act to which the Royal Assent is given on or after 1 July 1984 shall, unless the contrary intention appears in that Act, come into operation on the 28th day after the day on which that Act receives the Royal Assent.
(3)
Every Act reserved for the signification of Her Majesty’s pleasure on or after 1 July 1984 shall, unless the contrary intention appears in that Act, come into operation on the day on which Her Majesty’s assent is proclaimed in the Gazette.

21.Time of commencement of written laws

Where any written law, or portion of a written law, comes into operation on a particular day, it shall come into operation at the beginning of that day.

22.Act commencing on proclamation, commencement of certain provisions of

Notwithstanding section 20(2), where an Act provides that the Act, or portion of the Act, is to come into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation, that provision and the provision providing for the short title of the Act, unless it is otherwise expressly provided, shall come into operation on the day on which the Act receives the Royal Assent.

23.Proclamation of commencement of Act, construction of power to make

A power to fix a day on which an Act shall come into operation does not include power to fix —

(a)
a day prior to the day on which the proclamation fixing the day is published in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website; or
(b)
different days for different provisions of that Act,

unless express provision is made in that behalf.

[Section 23 amended: No. 13 of 2021 s. 51.]

[24. Deleted: No. 13 of 2021 s. 52.]

25.Some powers in Act may be exercised before it commences

(1)
Where a provision of an Act does not commence on the passing of the Act and that provision would, if it had commenced, confer power to —
- (a)
  make an instrument of a legislative or administrative character; or
- (b)
  give or serve a notice or other document; or
- (c)
  appoint a person to a specified office; or
- (d)
  establish a specified body of persons, whether incorporated or not; or
- (e)
  do any other thing for the purposes of the Act,

then the power may, notwithstanding that that provision has not commenced, but subject to subsections (3) and (4), be exercised at any time after the passing of the Act to the extent that it is necessary or expedient for the purpose of bringing the Act, or provisions of the Act, into operation, or giving full effect to the Act, or provisions of the Act, when or after that provision commences.

(2)
Where —
- (a)
  a provision of an Act does not commence on the passing of the Act and the provision would, if it had commenced, amend another Act; and
- (b)
  a provision of that other Act would, if the first‑mentioned provision had commenced, confer power to —
  - (i)
    make an instrument of a legislative or administrative character; or
  - (ii)
    give or serve a notice or other document; or
  - (iii)
    appoint a person to a specified office; or
  - (iv)
    establish a specified body of persons whether incorporated or not; or
  - (v)
    do any other thing for the purposes of that other Act,

then the power may, notwithstanding that the first‑mentioned provision has not commenced, but subject to subsections (3) and (4), be exercised at any time after the passing of the Act in which the first‑mentioned provision is contained to the extent that it is necessary or expedient for the purpose of giving full effect to that other Act, or provisions of that other Act, when or after the first‑mentioned provision commences.

(3)
Where a power to make an instrument of a legislative or administrative character, or to give or serve a notice or other document, is exercised as provided in subsection (1) or (2), that instrument, notice, or document shall take effect —
- (a)
  on the day on which the provision referred to in subsection (1) or, as the case may be, the provision first‑mentioned in subsection (2) commences; or
- (b)
  on the day on which it would have taken effect, if at the time when the instrument was made or the notice or document was given or served, the provision so mentioned or first‑mentioned had commenced,

whichever is the later.

(4)
Where a power to appoint a person to a specified office, or to establish a specified body of persons, is exercised as provided in subsection (1) or (2), the person so appointed may act in that office, or, as the case may be, the body so established may meet and perform and exercise its functions, duties, and powers, but only for a purpose referred to in subsection (1) or (2) (whichever of those subsections is applicable); and for the purposes of any provision as to the duration of the term of office of the person or a member of the body, that term does not begin until the relevant provision referred to in subsection (1) or (2), as the case may be, commences.
(5)
Subject to section 3(3), this section applies to Acts passed after the commencement of this Act 1.

26.Citation of written laws

(1)
Where a written law is referred to, it shall be sufficient for all purposes to cite or refer to that written law by —
- (a)
  the short title or the citation (if any) given to it or by which it was made citable; or
- (b)
  in the case of an Act, the year in which it was passed and its number among the Acts of that year.
(2)
A provision of a written law may be cited by reference to the Part, section, regulation, rule, clause or other division of the written law in which the provision is contained.
(3)
The citation of or reference to a written law is in all cases to be made in accordance with an official version of the law under the Legislation Act 2021.
[(4)
deleted]

[Section 26 amended: No. 74 of 2003 s. 69(4); No. 13 of 2021 s. 53.]

27.References to commencement of written law if different provisions commence on different days

A reference in a written law to the day of coming into operation or to the commencement of a written law shall, where different provisions of the written law come or came into operation on different days, be construed as a reference to the day of coming into operation of the appropriate provisions of that written law.

Part IV – Provisions as to enactment and operation of written law28.Acts deemed public Acts

Every Act passed after 13 April 1853 shall be deemed to be a public Act unless the contrary is expressly provided in the Act and shall be judicially noticed as such.

29.Sections to be substantive enactments

Every section of an Act takes effect as a substantive enactment without introductory words.

30.Act may be amended in same session

An Act may be amended or repealed in the same session of Parliament as that in which it was passed.

31.Preambles, schedules etc. to form part of written law

(1)
The preamble to a written law forms part of the written law and shall be construed as a part thereof intended to assist in explaining its purport and object.
(2)
An appendix or schedule to or a table in a written law, together with any notes thereto, forms part of the written law.

32.Headings, marginal notes and footnotes

(1)
The headings of the Parts, divisions and subdivisions into which a written law is divided form part of the written law.
(2)
A marginal note or footnote to a written law and, in a context where there is no marginal note with respect to the relevant provision and notwithstanding subsection (1), a heading to a section, regulation, rule, local law, by‑law, or clause of a written law, or to a portion of a section, regulation, rule, local law, by‑law or clause of a written law, shall be taken not to be part of the written law.

[Section 32 amended: No. 14 of 1996 s. 4.]

Part V – Repeal of written law33.Repeal of written law includes repeal of amendments

Where a written law which has been amended by any other written law is repealed, such repeal shall include the repeal of all those provisions of such other written law by which the first‑mentioned written law was amended.

34.Repeal of repealing enactment, effect of

Where a written law repeals a repealing enactment, the repeal does not revive any enactment previously repealed unless words are added reviving it.

35.Repeal and substitution of provision, effect of

Where a written law repeals an enactment and substitutes provisions for the enactment repealed, the repealed enactment remains in operation until the substituted provisions come into operation.

36.Repealing and re‑enacting a provision, effect of

Where a written law repeals and re‑enacts, with or without modification, any enactment —

(a)
all districts or other local divisions or areas; and
(b)
all councils, corporations, boards, tribunals, commissions, trusts, or other bodies constituted, and all elections and appointments of members thereof made; and
(c)
all offices constituted and appointments of officers made; and
(d)
all subsidiary legislation, warrants, certificates, and documents made; and
(e)
all other acts, matters, and things whatsoever,

which, at the commencement of the repealing law, are respectively in existence, or in force or operation, under or for the purposes of such provision, shall, in so far as is consistent with the repealing law, subsist and enure for the purposes of such law and shall continue as if the repealing law had been in operation when they respectively originated or were constituted, made or done and they had originated or been constituted, made or done under that law.

37.General savings on repeal

(1)
Where a written law repeals an enactment, the repeal does not, unless the contrary intention appears —
- (a)
  revive anything not in force or existing at the time at which the repeal takes effect;
- (b)
  affect the previous operation of the enactment repealed or anything duly done or suffered under that enactment;
- (c)
  affect any right, interest, title, power or privilege created, acquired, accrued, established or exercisable or any status or capacity existing prior to the repeal;
- (d)
  affect any duty, obligation, liability, or burden of proof imposed, created, or incurred prior to the repeal;
- (e)
  subject to section 11 of The Criminal Code and section 10 of the Sentencing Act 1995, affect any penalty or forfeiture incurred or liable to be incurred in respect of an offence committed against that enactment;
- (f)
  affect any investigation, legal proceeding or remedy in respect of any such right, interest, title, power, privilege, status, capacity, duty, obligation, liability, burden of proof, penalty or forfeiture,

and any such investigation, legal proceeding or remedy may be instituted, continued, or enforced, and any such penalty or forfeiture may be imposed and enforced as if the repealing written law had not been passed or made.

(2)
The inclusion in the repealing provisions of an enactment of any express saving with respect to the repeals effected thereby shall not be taken to prejudice the operation of this section with respect to the effect of those repeals.

[Section 37 amended: No. 78 of 1995 s. 56.]

38.Repeal of Act, effect of on subsidiary legislation

(1)
Where an Act —
- (a)
  repeals an Act and substitutes other provisions therefor; or
- (b)
  repeals and re‑enacts an Act, with or without modification,

any subsidiary legislation made under the repealed Act and in operation immediately before the commencement of the repealing Act shall, so far as it is consistent with the repealing Act, continue in operation and have effect for all purposes as if made under the repealing Act.

(2)
Subsidiary legislation which continues in operation under subsection (1) may be amended or repealed as if it had been made under the repealing Act.

39.Expiry of enactment, effect of

Upon the expiry or lapse of any enactment, the provisions of section 37 apply as if that enactment had been repealed.

Part VI – Subsidiary legislation40.Governor to make subsidiary legislation

If a written law provides that subsidiary legislation may or shall be made and does not provide by whom such subsidiary legislation may or shall be made, any subsidiary legislation made under such a provision shall be made by the Governor.

41.Publication and commencement of subsidiary legislation

(1)
Where a written law confers power to make subsidiary legislation, all subsidiary legislation made under that power shall —
- (a)
  be published in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website; and
- (b)
  subject to section 42, come into operation on the day of publication, or where another day is specified or provided for in the subsidiary legislation, on that day.
(2)
A power to fix a day on which subsidiary legislation shall come into operation does not include power to fix different days for different provisions of that legislation unless express provision is made in that behalf.

[Section 41 amended: No. 13 of 2021 s. 54.]

42.Laying regulations, rules, local laws and by‑laws before Parliament, and disallowance

(1)
All regulations shall be laid before each House of Parliament within 6 sitting days of such House next following publication of the regulations in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website.
(2)
Notwithstanding any provision in any Act to the contrary, if either House of Parliament passes a resolution disallowing any regulations of which resolution notice has been given within 14 sitting days of such House after such regulations have been laid before it or if any regulations are not laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with subsection (1), such regulations shall thereupon cease to have effect, but without affecting the validity or curing the invalidity of anything done or of the omission of anything in the meantime.
(3)
Subsection (2) applies notwithstanding that the period of 14 days referred to in that subsection, or part of that period, does not occur in the same session of Parliament or during the same Parliament as that in which the regulations are laid before the House concerned.
(4)
Notwithstanding any provision in any Act to the contrary, if both Houses of Parliament at any time pass a resolution originating in either House amending any such regulations or substituting other regulations for that which has been disallowed by either House under subsection (2), then on the passing of any such resolution —
- (a)
  amending regulations, the regulations so amended shall, after the expiration of 7 days from the publication in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website of the notice provided for in subsection (5), take effect as so amended;
- (b)
  substituting regulations in place of regulations disallowed, the regulations so substituted shall, after the expiration of 7 days from the publication in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website of the notice provided for in subsection (5), take effect in place of that for which the regulations are so substituted.
(5)
When a resolution has been passed under subsection (2) or (4), notice of such resolution shall be published in the Gazette or on the WA legislation website within 21 days of the passing of the resolution.
(6)
Notwithstanding section 37(1), where —
- (a)
  regulations are disallowed under this section or are not laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with subsection (1); and
- (b)
  those regulations amended or repealed regulations that were in operation immediately before the first‑mentioned regulations came into operation,

the disallowance or failure to comply with subsection (1) revives the previous regulations on and after the day of the disallowance or, in the case of failure to comply with subsection (1), on and after the day next following the last day for compliance with subsection (1).

(7)
If a written law empowers or directs the making of regulations by a person other than the Governor and requires that the regulations be confirmed or approved by the Governor or by any other person or authority before having the force of law, subsection (1) does not apply to such regulations unless they have been confirmed or approved as so required.
(8)
In this section —
- (a)
  a reference to regulations shall be construed as including a reference to a regulation or part of a regulation; and
- (b)
  regulations includes rules, local laws and by‑laws.

[Section 42 amended: No. 14 of 1996 s. 4; No. 13 of 2021 s. 55.]

43.Power to make subsidiary legislation, general provisions about

(1)
Subsidiary legislation shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the written law under which it is made, or of any Act, and subsidiary legislation shall be void to the extent of any such inconsistency.
(2)
Where any subsidiary legislation purports to be made in exercise of a particular power or powers, it shall be deemed also to be made in exercise of all powers under which it may be made.
(3)
It shall be presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that all conditions and preliminary steps precedent to the making of subsidiary legislation have been complied with and performed.
(4)
Where a written law confers a power to make subsidiary legislation, it shall be deemed also to include a power exercisable in the like manner and subject to the like conditions (if any) to amend or repeal any such subsidiary legislation.
(5)
Where a written law confers power on a person to make subsidiary legislation for any general purpose and also for any special purposes incidental thereto, the enumeration of the special purposes shall not derogate from the generality of the powers conferred with reference to the general purpose.
(6)
Subject to section 3(3), regulations, rules, local laws or by‑laws made under a power conferred by an enactment passed after the commencement of this Act may provide that contravention of a provision thereof constitutes an offence and may provide for a penalty in respect of such a contravention not exceeding a fine of $1 000.
(7)
A power to make subsidiary legislation may be exercised —
- (a)
  either in relation to all cases to which the power extends, or in relation to all those cases subject to specified exceptions, or in relation to any specified case or class of case; and
- (b)
  so as to make, as respects the cases in relation to which it is exercised —
  - (i)
    the same provision for all cases in relation to which the power is exercised, or different provision for different cases or classes of case, or different provisions for the same case or class of case for different purposes of the legislation; or
  - (ii)
    any such provision either unconditionally or subject to any specified condition.
(8)
Subsidiary legislation may be made —
- (a)
  so as to apply —
  - (i)
    at all times or at a specified time;
  - (ii)
    throughout the State or in a specified part of the State;
and
- (b)
  so as to require a matter affected by the legislation to be —
  - (i)
    in accordance with a specified standard or specified requirement;
  - (ii)
    approved by or to the satisfaction of a specified person or body or a specified class of person or body;
and
- (c)
  so as to confer a discretionary authority on a specified person or body or a specified class of person or body; and
- (d)
  so as to provide, in a specified case or class of case for the exemption of persons or things or a class of persons or things from the provisions of the subsidiary legislation, whether unconditionally or on specified conditions or conditions additionally imposed and either wholly or to such an extent as is specified or otherwise determined.
(9)
In subsections (7) and (8) specified means specified in the subsidiary legislation.

[Section 43 amended: No. 14 of 1996 s. 4.]

44.Words and expressions in subsidiary legislation, meaning of

(1)
Words and expressions used in subsidiary legislation shall have the same respective meanings as in the written law under which the subsidiary legislation is made.
(2)
A reference in subsidiary legislation to the Act shall be construed as a reference to the Act under which the subsidiary legislation is made.

45.Fees and charges

(1)
Where provision is made by subsidiary legislation in respect of fees or charges, the subsidiary legislation may provide for all or any of the following matters —
- (a)
  specific fees or charges; and
- (b)
  maximum or minimum fees or charges; and
- (c)
  maximum and minimum fees or charges; and
- (d)
  ad valorem fees or charges; and
- (e)
  the payment of fees and charges either generally or under specified conditions or in specified circumstances; and
- (f)
  the reduction, waiver or refund, in whole or in part, of such fees or charges.
(2)
Where any reduction, waiver or refund, in whole or in part, of any fee or charge is provided for by subsidiary legislation, such reduction, waiver or refund may be expressed to apply or be applicable either generally or specifically —
- (a)
  in respect of certain matters or transactions or classes of matter or transaction; or
- (b)
  in respect of certain documents or classes of document; or
- (c)
  when any event happens or ceases to happen; or
- (d)
  in respect of certain persons or classes of person; or
- (e)
  in respect of any combination of such matters, transactions, documents, events, or persons,

and may be expressed to apply or to be applicable subject to such conditions as may be specified in the subsidiary legislation or in the discretion of any person specified in the subsidiary legislation.

[(3)
deleted]

[Section 45 amended: No. 34 of 2020 s. 94.]

45A.Fees for licences, effect of power to prescribe

(1)
A power conferred by a written law to prescribe or impose a fee for a licence includes power to prescribe or impose a fee that will allow recovery of expenditure that is relevant to the scheme or system under which the licence is issued.
(2)
Expenditure is not relevant for the purposes of subsection (1) unless it has been or is to be incurred —
- (a)
  in the establishment or administration of the scheme or system under which the licence is issued; or
- (b)
  in respect of matters to which the licence relates.
(3)
The reference in subsection (1) to a fee for a licence includes reference to a fee for, or in relation to, the issue of a licence and a fee payable on an application for the issue of a licence.
(4)
In this section —

fee includes charge;

issue includes grant, give or renew;

licence includes registration, right, permit, authority, approval or exemption.

[Section 45A inserted: No. 54 of 1997 s. 3.]

46.Reference to written law includes reference to subsidiary legislation made under it

(1)
A reference in a written law to a written law shall be construed so as to include a reference to any subsidiary legislation made under that written law.
(1a)
An example of the operation of subsection (1) is that a reference in an Act to “this Act” includes a reference to any subsidiary legislation made under the Act.
(2)
A reference in a written law to an Imperial Act or a Commonwealth Act shall be construed so as to include a reference to any subsidiary legislation made under that Act.

[Section 46 amended: No. 73 of 1994 s. 4.]

47.Acts done under subsidiary legislation deemed done under Act

Any act done under subsidiary legislation shall be deemed to be done under the written law under which the subsidiary legislation was made.

Part VII – Statutory powers and duties48.Time for exercise of power or performance of duty

Where a written law confers a power or imposes a duty, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed from time to time as occasion requires.

48A.Judicial acts and service of process may be done on any day

Where a written or other law confers on a person power to —

(a)
act judicially (including taking a verdict); or
(b)
serve any document or court process or execute any warrant,

that power may be exercised on any day of the year.

[Section 48A inserted: No. 49 of 1997 s. 4(1).]

49.Public officer’s powers and duties may be exercised by acting officer etc.

Where a written law confers a power or imposes a duty on the holder of a public office as such, the power may be exercised and the duty shall be performed by the person for the time being lawfully holding, acting in, or performing the functions of the office.

50.Statutory powers, construction of

(1)
Where a written law confers upon a person power to do or enforce the doing of any act or thing, all such powers shall also be deemed to be conferred on the person as are reasonably necessary to enable him to do or to enforce the doing of the act or thing.
(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), where a written law confers power —
- (a)
  to provide for, prohibit, control or regulate any matter, such power includes power to provide for the same by the licensing or registration thereof or the granting of permits and power to prohibit acts whereby the prohibition, control, or regulation of such matter might be evaded;
- (b)
  to grant a licence, registration, lease, right, permit, authority, approval, or exemption, such power includes power to impose reasonable conditions subject to which such licence, registration, lease, right, permit, authority, approval or exemption may be granted;
- (c)
  to approve any person, matter, or thing, such power includes power to withdraw approval thereof;
- (d)
  to give directions, such power includes power to express the same in the form of prohibitions.
(3)
Subject to section 3(3), this section applies to written laws passed or made after the commencement of this Act.

51.Power to issue licences and other authorisations is discretionary

(1)
Where a written law confers power upon a person to issue, grant, give or renew any licence, registration, lease, right, authority, approval, permit, or exemption, the person so empowered shall have a discretion either to issue, grant, give or renew or to refuse to issue, grant, give or renew such licence, registration, lease, right, authority, approval, permit, or exemption.
(2)
Nothing in this section shall affect any right which may be conferred by any written law upon a person to appeal against, or apply for or otherwise seek a review of, a refusal to issue, grant, give or renew any licence, registration, lease, right, authority, approval, permit, or exemption.

[Section 51 amended: No. 54 of 2004 s. 175(3).]

52.Power to appoint includes power to remove, suspend, appoint acting officer etc.

(1)
Where a written law confers a power or imposes a duty upon a person to make an appointment to an office or position, including an acting appointment, the person having such power or duty shall also have the power —
- (a)
  to remove or suspend a person so appointed to an office or position, and to reappoint or reinstate, any person appointed in exercise of such power or duty; and
- (b)
  where a person so appointed to an office or position is suspended or unable, or expected to become unable, for any other cause to perform the functions of such office or position, to appoint a person to act temporarily in place of the person so appointed during the period of suspension or other inability but a person shall not be appointed to so act temporarily unless he is eligible and qualified to be appointed to the office or position; and
- (c)
  to specify the period for which any person appointed in exercise of such a power or duty shall hold his appointment.
(2)
For the purposes of subsection (1)(b), cause includes —
- (a)
  illness; and
- (b)
  temporary absence from the State; and
- (c)
  conflict of interest.
(3)
The validity of anything done by a person purporting to act under an appointment made under subsection (1)(b) shall not be called in question on the ground that the occasion for his appointment had not arisen or had ceased.
(4)
Where a written law confers a power or imposes a duty upon a person to make an appointment to an office or position and that power or duty is exercisable only upon the nomination or recommendation, or is subject to the approval, concurrence, or consent of some other person, then the powers conferred by subsection (1)(a) to (c) shall only be exercisable upon such nomination or recommendation or subject to such approval, concurrence, or consent.
(5)
Nothing in this section affects the tenure of office or position of any person under the express provisions of any written law.

[Section 52 amended: No. 31 of 2010 s. 7.]

53.Appointments may be by name or office

Where a written law confers a power or imposes a duty upon a person to appoint or designate a person to —

(a)
perform any function; or
(b)
be a member of any board, tribunal, commission, committee, council, or other similar body, whether corporate or unincorporate; or
(c)
be or do any other thing,

that person may make the appointment or designation either by appointing or designating a person by name or by appointing or designating the holder of an office by the term designating his office; and any such appointment or designation of the holder of an office shall be construed as the appointment or designation of the person from time to time holding, acting in, or lawfully performing the functions of the office.

54.Statutory bodies, majority and quorum provisions

(1)
Where a written law confers or imposes a function upon a body or number of persons consisting of not fewer than 3 persons, the function may be performed by a majority of those persons.
(2)
Where a written law establishes a board, commission, committee, council or other similar body consisting of 3 or more members (in this section called an association) —
- (a)
  at a meeting of the association, a number of members of the association equal to —
  - (i)
    at least one half of the number of members provided for by the written law, if that number is a fixed number; and
  - (ii)
    if the number of members provided for by the written law is not a fixed number but is within a range having a maximum or minimum, at least one half of the number of members in office if that number is within the range,
constitutes a quorum; and
- (b)
  an act or thing done by a majority of the members of the association present at a meeting, if the members present constitute a quorum, shall be deemed to have been done by the association.
55.Errors when exercising certain powers or duties may be corrected

Where a written law confers a power or imposes a duty upon a person to do any act or thing of an administrative or executive character or to make any appointment, the power or duty may be exercised or performed as often as is necessary to correct any error or omission in any previous purported exercise or performance of the power or duty, notwithstanding that the power or duty is not in general capable of being exercised or performed from time to time.

56.“May” imports a discretion, “shall” is imperative

(1)
Where in a written law the word may is used in conferring a power, such word shall be interpreted to imply that the power so conferred may be exercised or not, at discretion.
(2)
Where in a written law the word shall is used in conferring a function, such word shall be interpreted to mean that the function so conferred must be performed.

57.Statutory bodies, powers of not affected by vacancies etc.

Where a board, tribunal, commission, committee, council or other similar body, whether corporate or unincorporate, is established under a written law, the powers of such a body shall not be affected by —

(a)
any vacancy in the membership of the body; or
(b)
any defect afterwards discovered in the appointment or qualification of a person purporting to be a member of the body or the deputy or alternate of a member; or
(c)
a minor irregularity in the convening or conduct of a meeting of the body; or
(d)
the presence or participation at a meeting of a person not entitled to be present or participate.

58.Delegates, performance of functions by

Where under a written law the performance of a function by a person is dependent upon the opinion, belief, or state of mind of that person in relation to a matter and that function has been delegated under a written law, the function may be performed by the delegate upon the opinion, belief, or state of mind of the delegate in relation to that matter.

59.Power to delegate, effect of

(1)
Where a written law confers power upon a person to delegate the exercise of any power or the performance of any duty conferred or imposed upon him under a written law —
- (a)
  such a delegation shall not preclude a person so delegating from exercising or performing at any time a power or duty so delegated;
- (b)
  such a delegation may be made subject to such conditions, qualifications, limitations or exceptions as the person so delegating may specify;
- (c)
  if the delegation may be made only with the approval of some person, such delegation, and any amendment of the delegation, may be made subject to such conditions, qualifications, limitations or exceptions as the person whose approval is required may specify;
- (d)
  such a delegation may be made to a specified person or to persons of a specified class, or may be made to the holder or holders for the time being of a specified office or class of office;
- (e)
  such a delegation may be amended or revoked by instrument in writing signed by the person so delegating;
- (f)
  in the case of a power conferred upon a person by reference to the term designating an office, such a delegation shall not cease to have effect by reason only of a change in the person lawfully acting in or performing the functions of that office.
(2)
The delegation of a power shall be deemed to include the delegation of any duty incidental thereto or connected therewith and the delegation of a duty shall be deemed to include the delegation of any power incidental thereto or connected therewith.
(3)
Where under a written law an act or thing may or is required to be done to, by reference to or in relation to, a person and that person has under a written law delegated a relevant function conferred or imposed on him with respect to or in consequence of the doing of that act or thing, the act or thing shall be regarded as effectually done if done to, by reference to or in relation to the person to whom the function has been delegated.

60.Governor to act with advice of Executive Council

Where in a written law the Governor is authorised or required to do any act, matter, or thing, it shall be taken to mean that such act, matter, or thing may or shall be done by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Executive Council.

Part VIII – Provisions regarding time and distance61.Time, computation of

(1)
In computing time for the purposes of a written law —
- (a)
  where a period of time is expressed to begin at, on, or with a specified day, that day shall be included in the period;
- (b)
  where a period of time is expressed to be reckoned from, or after, a specified day, that day shall not be included in the period;
- (c)
  where anything is to be done within a time before a specified day, the time shall not include that day;
- (d)
  where a period of time is expressed to end at, on, or with a specified day or to continue to or until a specified day, that day shall be included in the period;
- (e)
  where the time limited for the doing of a thing expires or falls upon an excluded day, the thing may be done on the next day that is not an excluded day;
- (f)
  where there is a reference to a number of clear days or “at least” or “not less than” a number of days between 2 events, in calculating that number of days both the days on which the events happen shall be excluded;
- (g)
  where there is a reference to a number of days not expressed to be clear days or “at least” or “not less than” a number of days between 2 events, in calculating the number of days there shall be excluded the day on which the first event happens and there shall be included the day on which the second event happens;
- (h)
  where an act or proceeding is directed or allowed to be done or taken on a certain day, or on or before a certain day, then, if that day is an excluded day, the act or proceeding shall be considered as done or taken in due time if it is done or taken on the next day that is not an excluded day.
(2)
For the purposes of this section, excluded day means Saturday, Sunday, public service holiday, and a bank holiday or public holiday throughout the State or in that part of the State which is relevant to the event, act, thing or proceeding concerned.

62.Months, reckoning of

(1)
In a written law, month means a calendar month, that is to say, a month reckoned according to the calendar.
(2)
If a period of one month indicated in a written law begins on any date other than the first day of any of the 12 months of the calendar, it shall be reckoned from the date on which it is to begin to the date in the next month numerically corresponding, less one, or, if there is no corresponding date, to the last day of that month.

For example: a month beginning on 15 January ends on 14 February and a month beginning on 30 or 31 January ends on 28 February (or 29 February in a leap year).

(3)
If a period indicated in a written law is of 2, 3 or more months, it shall be reckoned from the date on which it is to begin to the date numerically corresponding, less one, in the second, third, or other successive month thereafter or, if there is no such corresponding date, to the last day of the latter month.

For example: a period of 6 months beginning on 15 August ends on 14 February and a period of 6 months beginning on 30 or 31 August ends on 28 February (or 29 February in a leap year).

63.Time for doing acts if no time fixed

Where no time is fixed or allowed within which an act or thing shall be done, such act or thing shall be done with all convenient speed and as often as occasion arises.

64.Power to extend time, construction of

(1)
Where in a written law a time is fixed or allowed for doing any act or thing or taking any proceeding and power is given to a court or other authority to extend that time, such power may be exercised by the court or other authority although the application for an extension is not made until after the expiration of the time fixed or allowed.
(2)
Subject to section 3(3), this section applies to written laws passed or made after the commencement of this Act.

65.Distance, measurement of

In the measurement of any distance for the purposes of a written law, the distance shall be measured in a straight line on a horizontal plane.

Part IX – Procedures and penalties66.Rules of court

(1)
In a written law, rules of court, in relation to any court or tribunal, means rules made by the authority having for the time being power to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of such court or tribunal.
(2)
The power of an authority referred to in subsection (1) includes a power to make rules of court for the purpose of any written law which directs or authorises anything to be done by or in accordance with rules of court.
(3)
Where a written law confers any jurisdiction on a court or other tribunal or extends or varies the jurisdiction of a court or other tribunal, the authority having for the time being power to make rules or orders regulating the practice and procedure of that court or tribunal may make rules or orders, including rules or orders with respect to costs, for the purpose of regulating the practice and procedure of that court or tribunal in the exercise of the jurisdiction so conferred, extended or varied.

67.Offences and proceedings for offences

(1)
Offences are of 2 kinds: indictable offences and simple offences.
(1a)
An offence designated as a crime or as a misdemeanour is an indictable offence.
(2)
An offence not otherwise designated is a simple offence.
(3)
The procedure for prosecuting and dealing with offences is set out in the Criminal Procedure Act 2004.
[(4)
deleted]
(5)
This section does not limit the operation of Part 3 of the Children’s Court of Western Australia Act 1988.

[Section 67 inserted: No. 92 of 1994 s. 15; amended: No. 4 of 2004 s. 58; No. 59 of 2004 s. 141; No. 84 of 2004 s. 78.]

[68. Deleted: No. 78 of 1995 s. 56.]

69.Bodies corporate, application of penal laws to

(1)
Every enactment relating to an offence punishable on indictment or on summary conviction shall be taken to refer to bodies corporate as well as to individuals.
(2)
Where under a written law, a penalty or sum of money is payable to a party aggrieved, it shall be payable to a body corporate in every case where that body is the party aggrieved.

[Section 69 amended: No. 78 of 1995 s. 56.]

[70. Deleted: No. 78 of 1995 s. 56.]

71.Continuing offences

(1)
Where —
- (a)
  by or under a written law an act or thing is required or directed to be done within a particular period or before a particular time; and
- (b)
  failure to do that act or thing within the period or before the time referred to in paragraph (a) constitutes an offence; and
- (c)
  that act or thing is not done within the period or before the time referred to in paragraph (a),

the following provisions have effect —

(d)
the obligation to do that act or thing continues, notwithstanding that that period has expired or that time has passed, until that act or thing is done; and
(e)
where a person is convicted of an offence that, by virtue of paragraph (d), is constituted by failure to do that act or thing after the expiration of that period or after that time, as the case may be, that person is guilty of a separate and further offence in respect of each day after the day of the conviction during which the failure to do that act or thing continues; and
(f)
unless otherwise provided, the penalty applicable to each separate and further offence is $50.

(2)
Where —
- (a)
  by or under a written law an act or thing is required or directed to be done but no period within which or time by which that act or thing is to be done is specified; and
- (b)
  failure to do that act or thing constitutes an offence; and
- (c)
  a person is convicted of an offence in respect of a failure to do that act or thing,

that person is guilty of a separate and further offence in respect of each day after the day of the conviction during which the failure to do that act or thing continues and, unless otherwise provided, the penalty applicable to each such separate and further offence is $50.

72.Statutory penalties, construction of

(1)
Where in an Act a penalty —
- (a)
  is specified without qualification at the foot of a section of the Act; or
- (b)
  is specified at the foot of a subsection of a section of the Act, but not at the foot of the section; or
- (c)
  is specified at the foot of a section of the Act and expressed to apply to a specified subsection or specified subsections of the section,

then, unless the contrary is expressly provided, a contravention of the section or subsection, or, as the case may be, of any of the subsections, is an offence the penalty on conviction for which is the penalty specified.

(2)
Where in an Act a penalty is specified as described in subsection (1) in respect of a section or subsection that expressly creates an offence, the penalty for that offence on conviction is the penalty specified.
(3)
In this section a reference to a section or subsection of an Act includes a reference to a clause or subclause of a schedule to an Act.
(4)
This section applies, with any modifications that are necessary, to subsidiary legislation by which offences may be created or penalties may be imposed.

[Section 72 inserted: No. 78 of 1995 s. 55; amended: No. 10 of 1998 s. 40(2); No. 24 of 2000 s. 19.]

Part X – Miscellaneous provisions73.State deemed established 1 June 1829

For the purpose of determining the applicability or otherwise within the State of any Imperial Act, the State shall be deemed to have been established on 1 June 1829.

74.Prescribed forms, certain deviations do not invalidate

Where a form is prescribed or specified under a written law, deviations therefrom not materially affecting the substance nor likely to mislead shall not invalidate the form used.

75.Service of documents by post

(1)
Where a written law authorises or requires a document to be served by post, whether the word “serve” or any of the words “give”, “deliver”, or “send” or any other similar word or expression is used, service shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing and posting (by pre‑paid post) the document as a letter to the last known address of the person to be served, and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time when the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.
(2)
Where a written law authorises or requires a document to be served by registered post, whether the word “serve” or any of the words “give”, “deliver”, or “send” or any other similar word or expression is used, then, if the document is eligible and acceptable for transmission as certified mail, the service of the document may be effected either by registered post or by certified mail.
(3)
Subsections (1) and (2) apply unless the contrary intention appears and subsection (2) does not apply where a written law requires the production of an acknowledgment signed by a person to whom a document was addressed to the effect that the document was delivered to that person.

76.Service of documents generally

Where a written law authorises or requires a document to be served, whether the word “serve” or any of the words “give”, “deliver”, or “send” or any other similar word or expression is used, without directing it to be served in a particular manner, service of that document may be effected on the person to be served —

(a)
by delivering the document to him personally; or
(b)
by post in accordance with section 75(1); or
(c)
by leaving it for him at his usual or last known place of abode, or if he is a principal of a business, at his usual or last known place of business; or
(d)
in the case of a corporation or of an association of persons (whether incorporated or not), by delivering or leaving the document or posting it as a letter, addressed in each case to the corporation or association, at its principal place of business or principal office in the State.

76A.Written laws made before Australia Acts, validity of

(1)
Each provision of an Act or subsidiary legislation enacted or made, or purporting to have been enacted or made, before the commencement of the Australia Acts —
- (a)
  has the same effect as it would have had; and
- (b)
  is as valid as it would have been,

if the Australia Acts had been in operation at the time of its enactment or making, or purported enactment or making.

(2)
Subsection (1) is not intended to, and is not to be given effect so as to —
- (a)
  invalidate any enactment that was valid immediately before the commencement of the Australia Acts; or
- (b)
  invalidate any Act because it was assented to by the Sovereign rather than the Governor.

[Section 76A inserted: No. 85 of 1994 s. 5.]

77.Repeal and saving

(1)
The Interpretation Act 1918 is repealed.
(2)
Notwithstanding subsection (1), section 11 of the Interpretation Act 1918 shall continue to apply to Acts passed before the commencement of this Act 1.
(3)
The enactment of a provision of this Act that is expressed to apply to Acts or subsidiary legislation passed or made after the commencement of this Act shall not be presumed to have amended the law so as to affect the construction of any Act or subsidiary legislation passed or made before such enactment.
(4)
Notwithstanding subsection (1), section 47(2) of the Interpretation Act 1918 and the Second Schedule to that Act shall continue to apply to any Act to which that section applied immediately before the commencement of this Act 4.

Notes

This is a compilation of the Interpretation Act 1984 and includes amendments made by other written laws. For provisions that have come into operation, and for information about any reprints, see the compilation table.

Compilation table

Short title	Number and year	Assent	Commencement
Interpretation Act 1984	12 of 1984	31 May 1984	1 Jul 1984 (see s. 2)
Acts Amendment (Financial Administration and Audit) Act 1985 s. 3	98 of 1985	4 Dec 1985	1 Jul 1986 (see s. 2 and Gazette 30 Jun 1986 p. 2255)
Acts Amendment (Public Service) Act 1987 s. 32	113 of 1987	31 Dec 1987	16 Mar 1988 (see s. 2 and Gazette 16 Mar 1988 p. 813)
Acts Amendment (Children’s Court) Act 1988 Pt. 3	49 of 1988	22 Dec 1988	1 Dec 1989 (see s. 2 and Gazette 24 Nov 1989 p. 4327)
Corporations (Western Australia) Act 1990 s. 97	105 of 1990	2 Jan 1991	1 Jan 1991 (see s. 2)
Children’s Court of Western Australia Amendment Act (No. 2) 1991 s. 21	15 of 1991	21 Jun 1991	9 Aug 1991 (see s. 2(2) and Gazette 9 Aug 1991 p. 4101)
Financial Institutions (Western Australia) Act 1992 s. 21	30 of 1992	19 Jun 1992	1 Jul 1992 (see s. 2 and Gazette 26 Jun 1992 p. 2643)
Reprint of the Interpretation Act 1984 as at 4 Nov 1992 (includes amendments listed above)
Financial Administration Legislation Amendment Act 1993 s. 11	6 of 1993	27 Aug 1993	1 Jul 1993 (see s. 2(1))
Acts Amendment (Public Sector Management) Act 1994 s. 15	32 of 1994	29 Jun 1994	1 Oct 1994 (see s. 2 and Gazette 30 Sep 1994 p. 4948)
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 1994 s. 4	73 of 1994	9 Dec 1994	9 Dec 1994 (see s. 2)
Interpretation Amendment (Australia Acts) Act 1994	85 of 1994	20 Dec 1994	3 Mar 1986 (see s. 2 and Gazette 28 Feb 1986 p. 683)
Acts Amendment (Fines, Penalties and Infringement Notices) Act 1994 s. 15	92 of 1994	23 Dec 1994	1 Jan 1995 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 30 Dec 1994 p. 7211)
Sentencing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1995 Pt. 41	78 of 1995	16 Jan 1996	4 Nov 1996 (see s. 2 and Gazette 25 Oct 1996 p. 5632)
Reprint of the Interpretation Act 1984 as at 15 Mar 1996 (includes amendments listed above except those in the Sentencing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1995)
Local Government (Consequential Amendments) Act 1996 s. 4	14 of 1996	28 Jun 1996	1 Jul 1996 (see s. 2)
Acts Amendment (Auxiliary Judges) Act 1997 Pt. 3	23 of 1997	18 Sep 1997	18 Sep 1997 (see s. 2)
Acts Amendment and Repeal (Family Court) Act 1997 s. 33	41 of 1997	9 Dec 1997	26 Sep 1998 (see s. 2 and Gazette 25 Sep 1998 p. 5295)
Sunday Observance Laws Amendment and Repeal Act 1997 s. 4 5	49 of 1997	10 Dec 1997	10 Dec 1997 (see s. 2)
Interpretation Amendment Act 1997	54 of 1997	12 Dec 1997	12 Dec 1997 (see s. 2)
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act (No. 2) 1998 s. 40	10 of 1998	30 Apr 1998	30 Apr 1998 (see s. 2(1))
Reprint of the Interpretation Act 1984 as at 1 Jan 1999 (includes amendments listed above)
Acts Amendment and Repeal (Financial Sector Reform) Act 1999 s. 89	26 of 1999	29 Jun 1999	1 Jul 1999 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 30 Jun 1999 p. 2905)
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2000 s. 19	24 of 2000	4 Jul 2000	4 Jul 2000 (see s. 2)
Acts Amendment (Lesbian and Gay Law Reform) Act 2002 Pt. 14	3 of 2002	17 Apr 2002	21 Sep 2002 (see s. 2 and Gazette 20 Sep 2002 p. 4693)
Taxation Administration (Consequential Provisions) Act 2002 s. 16	45 of 2002	20 Mar 2003	1 Jul 2003 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 27 Jun 2003 p. 2383)
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2003 s. 69	74 of 2003	15 Dec 2003	15 Dec 2003 (see s. 2)
Reprint 4: The Interpretation Act 1984 as at 6 Feb 2004 (includes amendments listed above)
Criminal Code Amendment Act 2004 s. 58	4 of 2004	23 Apr 2004	21 May 2004 (see s. 2)
Acts Amendment (Court of Appeal) Act 2004 s. 33	45 of 2004	9 Nov 2004	1 Feb 2005 (see s. 2 and Gazette 14 Jan 2005 p. 163)
State Administrative Tribunal Act 2004 s. 175	54 of 2004	23 Nov 2004	1 Jan 2005 (see s. 2 and Gazette 31 Dec 2004 p. 7129)
Courts Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2004 s. 141	59 of 2004	23 Nov 2004	1 May 2005 (see s. 2 and Gazette 31 Dec 2004 p. 7128)
Criminal Law Amendment (Simple Offences) Act 2004 s. 36(12)	70 of 2004	8 Dec 2004	31 May 2005 (see s. 2 and Gazette 14 Jan 2005 p. 163)
Criminal Procedure and Appeals (Consequential and Other Provisions) Act 2004 s. 78	84 of 2004	16 Dec 2004	2 May 2005 (see s. 2 and Gazette 31 Dec 2004 p. 7129 (correction in Gazette 7 Jan 2005 p. 53))
Reprint 5: The Interpretation Act 1984 as at 12 Aug 2005 (includes amendments listed above)
Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations (Consequential Provisions) Act 2005 Pt. 13	24 of 2005	2 Dec 2005	1 Jan 2006 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 23 Dec 2005 p. 6244)
Planning and Development (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2005 s. 15	38 of 2005	12 Dec 2005	9 Apr 2006 (see s. 2 and Gazette 21 Mar 2006 p. 1078)
Criminal Investigation (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006 s. 73	59 of 2006	16 Nov 2006	1 Jul 2007 (see s. 2 and Gazette 22 Jun 2007 p. 2838)
Land Information Authority Act 2006 s. 183	60 of 2006	16 Nov 2006	1 Jan 2007 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 8 Dec 2006 p. 5369)
Financial Legislation Amendment and Repeal Act 2006 Sch. 1 cl. 92	77 of 2006	21 Dec 2006	1 Feb 2007 (see s. 2(1) and Gazette 19 Jan 2007 p. 137)
Reprint 6: The Interpretation Act 1984 as at 25 May 2007 (includes amendments listed above except the amendments in the Criminal Investigation (Consequential Provisions) Act 2006)
Criminal Law Amendment (Homicide) Act 2008 s. 35	29 of 2008	27 Jun 2008	1 Aug 2008 (see s. 2(d) and Gazette 22 Jul 2008 p. 3353)
Surrogacy Act 2008 Pt. 4 Div. 6	47 of 2008	10 Dec 2008	1 Mar 2009 (see s. 2(b) and Gazette 27 Feb 2009 p. 512)
Acts Amendment (Bankruptcy) Act 2009 Pt. 2	18 of 2009	16 Sep 2009	17 Sep 2009 (see s. 2(b))
Interpretation and Reprints Amendment Act 2010 Pt. 2	31 of 2010	25 Aug 2010	26 Aug 2010 (see s. 2(b))
Public Sector Reform Act 2010 s. 78	39 of 2010	1 Oct 2010	1 Dec 2010 (see s. 2(b) and Gazette 5 Nov 2010 p. 5563)
Reprint 7: The Interpretation Act 1984 as at 21 Jan 2011 (includes amendments listed above)
Statutes (Repeals and Minor Amendments) Act 2014 s. 27	17 of 2014	2 Jul 2014	6 Sep 2014 (see s. 2(b) and Gazette 5 Sep 2014 p. 3213)
Local Government Legislation Amendment Act 2016 Pt. 3 Div. 19	26 of 2016	21 Sep 2016	21 Jan 2017 (see s. 2(b) and Gazette 20 Jan 2017 p. 648)
COVID‑19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020 Pt. 6 Div. 5 Subdiv. 1	34 of 2020	11 Sep 2020	12 Sep 2020 (see s. 2(b))
Legislation Act 2021 Pt. 6 Div. 1	13 of 2021	24 Aug 2021	1 Jul 2023 (see s. 2(b) and SL 2023/58 cl. 2)
Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2022 Pt. 17 Div. 10	9 of 2022	14 Apr 2022	1 Jul 2022 (see s. 2(c) and SL 2022/113 cl. 2)

Other notes

1 Under s. 77(2), the Interpretation Act 1918 s. 11 continues to apply to Acts passed before 1 July 1984. Section 11 reads as follows:

11. Exercise of statutory power between passing and coming into operation of an Act or any provision thereof.

(1)
Where an Act is not to come into operation immediately on the passing thereof, and confers power or will, upon its coming into operation, amend another Act so as to confer power under the other Act as so amended, to make any appointment, to hold any election, to make, grant or issue any instrument that is to say any proclamation, Order in Council, order, warrant, scheme, letters patent, rules, regulations, or by‑laws, to give notices, to prescribe forms, or to do any other thing for the purposes of the Act, the power that is or will be conferred may, unless the Act otherwise provides, be exercised at any time after the passing of the first‑mentioned Act but the exercise of the power does not confer a right or impose an obligation upon a person before the coming into operation of the first‑mentioned Act except in so far as is necessary or expedient for the purpose of making the first‑mentioned Act fully effective upon its coming into operation or the other Act fully effective when so amended.
(2)
A power purporting to have been exercised at a time before the date of the coming into operation of the Interpretation Act Amendment Act 1975 for the purposes of an Act that came into operation before that date, shall be deemed to have been exercised as validly and effectually as it would have been if this section as re‑enacted by the Interpretation Act Amendment Act 1975 had been in operation at that time.
(3)
In this section a reference to an Act includes a reference to a provision or provisions of an Act.

2 Now see the Public Sector Management Act 1994.

3 Repealed by the Australian Citizenship (Transitionals and Consequentials) Act 2007 s. 42. Now see the Australian Citizenship Act 2007.

4 Under s. 77(4), the Interpretation Act 1918 s. 47(2) and the Second Schedule continue to apply to Acts passed before 1 July 1984. Section 47 and the Second Schedule read as follows:

47. Sections in Second Schedule may be incorporated in Act by reference.

(1)
Any of the provisions contained in the sections of the Second Schedule hereto, and distinguished respectively by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, may be incorporated as enactments in any Act by reference to the said Schedule and to the letters distinguishing the said sections respectively.
(2)
Where in any Act passed before the commencement of this Act reference is made to the sections (distinguished by letters as aforesaid) of the Second Schedule to the Interpretation Act 1898 or of the Schedule to the Shortening Ordinance 1853, such reference shall be deemed to be made to the corresponding sections of the Second Schedule to this Act.

The Second Schedule.

All informations, complaints, and proceedings in respect of offences against this Act hereby made summarily punishable upon conviction before a Justice or Justices of the Peace in Petty Sessions shall be heard and determined, and the penalties and forfeitures in respect of the same be enforced and appropriated (if not hereinbefore otherwise appropriated) according to the provisions of the Justices Act 1902.

The complaint in respect of an offence against this Act shall be made and the proceedings commenced within one month after the offence thereby charged shall have been committed.

The complaint in respect of an offence against this Act shall be made and the proceedings commenced within three months after the offence thereby charged shall have been committed.

The complaint in respect of an offence against this Act shall be made and the proceedings commenced within six months after the offence thereby charged shall have been committed.

The complaint in respect of an offence against this Act shall be made and the proceedings commenced within twelve months after the offence thereby charged shall have been committed.

No order, judgment, warrant, or other proceeding made, or purporting to be made under or concerning the conviction of any offender against this Act shall be quashed or vacated for want of form only, or be removed or removable by certiorari, or by any writ or process whatsoever into any superior Court of the State.

And, for the protection of persons acting in execution of this Act, where an action is commenced against any one of such persons for anything done under this Act, in every such action the defendant may plead the general issue and give this Act and the special matter in evidence at any trial to be had hereupon, and no plaintiff shall recover in any such action if tender of sufficient amends shall have been made before such action brought, or if a sufficient sum of money shall have been paid into Court, after such action brought, by, or on behalf of the defendant, together with costs incurred up to that time; and if a verdict shall pass for the defendant or the plaintiff become non‑suited or discontinue such action after issue joined, or if, upon demurrer or otherwise, judgment shall be given against the plaintiff, the defendant shall recover his full costs as between solicitor and client, and have the like remedy for the same as any defendant hath by law in other cases; and, though a verdict shall be given for the plaintiff in any such action, such plaintiff shall not have costs against the defendant unless the Judge before whom the trial is held shall certify his approbation of the action and of the verdict obtained thereon.

No action shall lie against any Justice of the Peace, Officer of Police, Policeman, Constable, Peace Officer, or any other person in the employ of the Government authorised to carry the provisions of this Act, or any of them, into effect, or any person acting for, or under such persons, or any of them, on account of any act, matter, or thing done, or to be done, or commanded by them, or any of them, in carrying the provisions of this Act into effect again any parties offending or suspected of offending against the same, unless there is direct proof of corruption or malice; and if any such person shall be sued for any act, matter, or thing which he shall have so done, or shall so do, in carrying the provisions of this Act into effect, he may plead the general issue and give the special matter in evidence; and in case of judgment after verdict, or by a Judge sitting as a jury, or on demurrer being given for the defendant, or of the plaintiff discontinuing, or becoming non‑suit in any such action, the Court before which the action was brought may award treble costs to the defendant or such portion of those costs as the Court thinks fit.

5 The Sunday Observance Laws Amendment and Repeal Act 1997 s. 4(2) is a transitional provision that is of no further effect.

Defined terms

[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]

Defined term Provision(s)

act....................................................................................................................................... 5

Act...................................................................................................................................... 5

Act of the Commonwealth............................................................................................. 5

affidavit.............................................................................................................................. 5

alternative offence........................................................................................................... 5

amend................................................................................................................................. 5

ASIC Law.......................................................................................................................... 5

ASIC Regulations............................................................................................................ 5

association.................................................................................................................. 54(2)

Auditor General................................................................................................................ 5

Australia............................................................................................................................ 5

Australia Acts................................................................................................................... 5

bank holiday...................................................................................................................... 5

bankrupt and bankrupt or a person whose affairs are under insolvency laws....... 5

book.................................................................................................................................... 5

British possession............................................................................................................ 5

by-law................................................................................................................................ 5

cause........................................................................................................................... 52(2)

chief executive officer..................................................................................................... 5

Children’s Court............................................................................................................... 5

commencement................................................................................................................ 5

Commissioner of State Revenue................................................................................... 5

Commonwealth................................................................................................................ 5

Commonwealth Act............................................................................................. 5, 13(1)

Consolidated Account..................................................................................................... 5

contravene......................................................................................................................... 5

Corporations Law............................................................................................................ 5

Corporations Regulations............................................................................................... 5

Court of Appeal................................................................................................................ 5

court of summary jurisdiction........................................................................................ 5

Crown................................................................................................................................. 5

death................................................................................................................................... 5

de facto partner................................................................................................................. 5

de facto relationship........................................................................................................ 5

definition........................................................................................................................... 5

District Court.................................................................................................................... 5

District Court judge......................................................................................................... 5

document........................................................................................................................... 5

enactment.......................................................................................................................... 5

estate................................................................................................................................... 5

excluded day.............................................................................................................. 61(2)

Family Court..................................................................................................................... 5

Family Court of Western Australia............................................................................... 5

fee............................................................................................................................. 45A(4)

financial year.................................................................................................................... 5

first person.............................................................................................................. 13A(5)

function.............................................................................................................................. 5

Gazette............................................................................................................................... 5

Government...................................................................................................................... 5

Government Gazette........................................................................................................ 5

Government Printer......................................................................................................... 5

Governor............................................................................................................................ 5

Her Majesty....................................................................................................................... 5

His Majesty....................................................................................................................... 5

Imperial Act...................................................................................................................... 5

indictable offence............................................................................................................. 5

individual........................................................................................................................... 5

issue......................................................................................................................... 45A(4)

JP........................................................................................................................................ 5

judge................................................................................................................................... 5

justice................................................................................................................................. 5

justice of the peace.......................................................................................................... 5

King.................................................................................................................................... 5

land..................................................................................................................................... 5

law of the State.......................................................................................................... 13(1)

lawyer................................................................................................................................. 5

legal practitioner.............................................................................................................. 5

licence...................................................................................................................... 45A(4)

local government.............................................................................................................. 5

local government district.............................................................................. 5, 13CA(1)

local law............................................................................................................................ 5

magistrate.......................................................................................................................... 5

Magistrates Court............................................................................................................. 5

may.............................................................................................................................. 56(1)

Minister.............................................................................................................................. 5

Minister for Public Sector Management...................................................................... 5

month...................................................................................................................... 5, 62(1)

oath..................................................................................................................................... 5

or....................................................................................................................................... 17

other................................................................................................................................. 17

otherwise......................................................................................................................... 17

paragraph................................................................................................................. 15A(1)

parent.................................................................................................................................. 5

Parliament......................................................................................................................... 5

penalty................................................................................................................................ 5

perform.............................................................................................................................. 5

person................................................................................................................................. 5

police officer..................................................................................................................... 5

power.................................................................................................................................. 5

prescribed.......................................................................................................................... 5

proclamation..................................................................................................................... 5

publication......................................................................................................................... 5

public half-holiday........................................................................................................... 5

public holiday................................................................................................................... 5

Public Sector Commissioner.......................................................................................... 5

Public Service................................................................................................................... 5

public service holiday..................................................................................................... 5

public service officer....................................................................................................... 5

Queen................................................................................................................................. 5

regional local government.............................................................................................. 5

regional subsidiary........................................................................................................... 5

regulation........................................................................................................................... 5

regulations.................................................................................................................. 42(8)

repeal.................................................................................................................................. 5

Royal Assent..................................................................................................................... 5

rule...................................................................................................................................... 5

rules of court......................................................................................................... 5, 66(1)

sell...................................................................................................................................... 5

shall............................................................................................................................. 56(2)

sign..................................................................................................................................... 5

simple offence.................................................................................................................. 5

sitting days........................................................................................................................ 5

specified..................................................................................................................... 43(9)

spouse................................................................................................................................. 5

Standards Australia.......................................................................................................... 5

State.................................................................................................................................... 5

State Administrative Tribunal....................................................................................... 5

statutory declaration........................................................................................................ 5

subsidiary legislation....................................................................................................... 5

summary conviction........................................................................................................ 5

summary conviction penalty.......................................................................................... 5

Supreme Court.................................................................................................................. 5

swear.................................................................................................................................. 5

Territory............................................................................................................................. 5

the Act........................................................................................................................ 44(2)

the State............................................................................................................................. 5

this State............................................................................................................................ 5

under................................................................................................................................... 5

United Kingdom............................................................................................................... 5

Valuer-General................................................................................................................. 5

WA legislation website................................................................................................... 5

will...................................................................................................................................... 5

words.................................................................................................................................. 5

writing................................................................................................................................ 5

written law......................................................................................................................... 5

year..................................................................................................................................... 5