Statute Law Amendment (References to the Sovereign) Act 2023 (Vic)

Statute Law Amendment (References to the Sovereign) Act 2023

No. 25 of 2023

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

Section  Page

Part 1—Preliminary

1Purposes

2Commencement

Part 2—Amendment of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984

3Meaning of certain expressions in Acts

4References to the Sovereign

5Construction of references to Acts

6Construction of references to British subjects etc.

Part 3—Statute law amendments

7Amendment of Acts

Part 4—Repeal of this Act

8Repeal of this Act

Schedule 1—Amendment of Acts

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Endnotes

1      General information

Statute Law Amendment (References to the Sovereign) Act 2023

No. 25 of 2023

[Assented to 5 September 2023]

The Parliament of Victoria enacts:

PART 1—PRELIMINARY

1Purposes

The main purposes of this Act are—

(a)to amend the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 in relation to references to the Sovereign; and

(b)to amend the statute law of Victoria to revise language referring to the Queen and Her Majesty as a consequence of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

2Commencement

This Act comes into operation on the day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent. 

PART 2—AMENDMENT OF THE INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984

3Meaning of certain expressions in Acts

In section 21(3) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984, for "Her Majesty's" (wherever occurring) substitute "His Majesty's". 

4References to the Sovereign

At the end of section 46 of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 insert—

'(2)Unless the contrary intention appears, in an Act or a subordinate instrument—

(a)if the Sovereign for the time being is the Queen—

(i)a reference to "His Majesty" is to be construed as a reference to "Her Majesty"; and

(ii)a reference to "the King" is to be construed as a reference to "the Queen"; and

(b)if the Sovereign for the time being is the King—

(i)a reference to "Her Majesty" is to be construed as a reference to "His Majesty"; and

(ii)a reference to "the Queen" is to be construed as a reference to "the King".'.

5Construction of references to Acts

In section 54(1)(c) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984—

(a)for "the Queen's" substitute "the King's";

(b)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

6Construction of references to British subjects etc.

In section 55(2) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

PART 3—STATUTE LAW AMENDMENTS

7Amendment of Acts

On the commencement of an item in Schedule 1, the Act specified in the heading to that item is amended as set out in that item.

PART 4—REPEAL OF THIS ACT

8Repeal of this Act

This Act is repealed on the first anniversary of its commencement.

Note

The repeal of this Act does not affect the continuing operation of the amendments made by it (see section 15(1) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984).

SCHEDULE 1—AMENDMENT OF ACTS

Section 7

1Accident Compensation Act 1985

1.1In section 129F(8), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

2Administration and Probate Act 1958

2.1In section 57(4), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

2.2In section 84(4), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

3Attorney-General and Solicitor-General Act 1972

3.1In section 3, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "the".

3.2In section 4(1)—

(a)after "Her Majesty's counsel" insert "or His Majesty's counsel";

(b)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "the".

3.3In section 5, for "Her Majesty" substitute "the Crown in right of Victoria". 

4Bail Act 1977

4.1In section 18A(5), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

4.2In section 32, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

5County Court Act 1958

5.1In section 28A, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

6Crimes Act 1958

6.1In section 191(3), in paragraph (b) of the definition of securities, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

6.2In section 206(1), for "the Queen" substitute "the King".

6.3In section 316(3), for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

6.4In section 404, for "Her Majesty's" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty's".

6.5In section 405, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

7Criminal Procedure Act 2009

7.1In section 327(1), for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

8Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978

8.1In section 5(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

8.2In section 5(4), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

8.3In section 8(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

8.4In section 15(6), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

8.5In section 19(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9Crown Proceedings Act 1958

9.1In section 3, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.2In section 5(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.3In section 6(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.4In section 7, for "Her Majesty" (wherever occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

9.5In section 8, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

9.6In section 10, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.7In section 14, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

9.8In section 15, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.9In section 16, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

9.10In section 17, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.11In section 18—

(a)for "Queen" substitute "King";

(b)for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

9.12In the Third Schedule—

(a)omit "Esquire" (where twice occurring);

(b)omit "of our Lady the Queen";

(c)for "our said Lady the Queen" (where twice occurring) substitute "the King".

9.13In the Seventh Schedule, for "Queen" substitute "King".

9.14In the Eighth Schedule—

(a)omit "Esquire";

(b)omit "of our Lady the Queen";

(c)for "our said Lady the Queen" (wherever occurring) substitute "the King".

9.15In the Ninth Schedule omit all words and expressions beginning "Elizabeth" and ending "Faith.".

10Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1981

10.1In section 6(1)(a), for "Her Majesty's" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty's".

10.2In section 30(3), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

10.3In section 83(1), for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

10.4In Schedule Ten, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "*Her Majesty's/*His Majesty's".

11Evidence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1958

11.1In section 59, in the definition of Australasian State, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

12Fire Rescue Victoria Act 1958

12.1In section 80(1), in paragraph (a) of the definition of service, after "Her Majesty" insert "or His Majesty".

13Fisheries Act 1995

13.1In section 125(1)(a)—

(a)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's";

(b)for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

14Food Act 1984

14.1In section 48(1) and (2), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

14.2In section 48(4), for "her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

15Forests Act 1958

15.1In section 42(3), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

16Instruments Act 1958

16.1In section 15, for "Her Majesty or any of her" substitute "His Majesty or any of his".

16.2In section 31, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17Land Act 1958

17.1In section 4A, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

17.2In section 12(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.3In section 12A(4), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.4In section 13, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

17.5In section 17, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

17.6Insert the following heading to section 22C—

"Attorney-General may authorize surrender of lands to His Majesty".

17.7In section 22C, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

17.8In section 22D(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.9In section 22E, for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

17.10In section 23—

(a)for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty";

(b)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

17.11In section 55(1)(i), for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

17.12In section 58(1), for "his lease to Her Majesty" substitute "the lessee's lease to His Majesty".

17.13In section 60(2), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.14In section 100(2)(a), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.15In section 134(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.16In section 137AA(4), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.17In section 137AC, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.18In section 137B(2), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.19In section 140F(3), for "Her Majesty Her" substitute "His Majesty, His".

17.20In section 166, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.21In section 197, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.22In section 209(2), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.23In section 225, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.24In section 228(3), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.25In section 303(3)(d) and (e), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.26In section 305(b), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.27In section 355, for "Her Majesty or" substitute "His Majesty or the".

17.28In section 360, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.29In section 364, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

17.30In Schedule Seven A, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

18Parliamentary Salaries, Allowances and Superannuation Act 1968

18.1In section 3—

(a)in the definition of Deputy Leader of the Opposition, for "Deputy Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition" substitute "Deputy Leader of the Opposition";

(b)in the definition of Leader of the Opposition, for "Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition" substitute "Leader of the Opposition".

19Prisoners (Interstate Transfer) Act 1983

19.1In section 4, in the definition of indeterminate sentence, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

19.2In section 28(4), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

19.3In section 28(9), for "Queen" substitute "King".

20Property Law Act 1958

20.1In section 27, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

20.2In section 208(1), for "Her Majesty or any of Her" substitute "His Majesty or any of His".

20.3In section 214, for "Her Majesty" (wherever occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

20.4In section 217, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

20.5In section 218, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

21Public Safety Preservation Act 1958

21.1In section 10(1), for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

22Racing Act 1958

22.1In section 94A(8), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

23Sentencing Act 1991

23.1In section 106, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

23.2In section 107(1), for "he or she is authorised on behalf of Her Majesty" substitute "the Governor is authorised on behalf of His Majesty".

24Shrine of Remembrance Act 1978

24.1In section 1A, in the definition of naval, military or air forces, for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

25Sport and Recreation Act 1972

25.1In section 2(1), in paragraph (a) of the definition of sporting or recreational lands, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

26State Electricity Commission Act 1958

26.1In section 21(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

26.2In section 24(1)(a), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

26.3In section 105A(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

27Summary Offences Act 1966

27.1In section 60A, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

27.2In section 61, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

28Transfer of Land Act 1958

28.1In section 4(1), in the definition of Crown grant, for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

28.2In section 39(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

28.3In section 42(1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

28.4In section 108(2), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

29Unauthorized Documents Act 1958

29.1In section 3—

(a)for "Queen" substitute "King";

(b)for "Queen's" (wherever occurring) substitute "King's".

30Unlawful Assemblies and Processions Act 1958

30.1In section 6—

(a)omit "Lady the Queen";

(b)omit "God save the Queen.".

30.2In section 10, for "Her Majesty's" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty's".

30.3In section 11—

(a)omit "Lady the Queen";

(b)omit "God save the Queen.".

30.4In section 13—

(a)omit "Lady the Queen";

(b)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

31Veterans Act 2005

31.1In section 3(1), in the definition of service or duty—

(a)for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty";

(b)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's".

31.2In section 3(2)(a), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

31.3In section 3(4)—

(a)for "Her Majesty's" substitute "His Majesty's";

(b)for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty";

(c)for "Her Majesty" (where twice occurring) substitute "His Majesty".

31.4In section 23—

(a)in subsection (1), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty";

(b)for "Her Majesty's" (wherever occurring) substitute "His Majesty's".

32Victoria Police Act 2013

32.1In Schedule 2, in Forms 1, 2 and 3—

(a)omit "Lady the Queen" (wherever occurring);

(b)for "Her Majesty's peace" (wherever occurring) substitute "the peace".

33Victorian Conservation Trust Act 1972

33.1In section 3(3), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

34Wildlife Act 1975

34.1In section 60(2) and (3), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

35Workers Compensation Act 1958

35.1In section 106(5), for "Her Majesty" substitute "His Majesty".

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ENDNOTES

1   General information

See for Victorian Bills, Acts and current authorised versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.

Minister's second reading speech—

Legislative Assembly: 21 June 2023

Legislative Council: 17 August 2023

The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to amend the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 in relation to references to the Sovereign, to amend the statute law of Victoria to revise language referring to the Queen and Her Majesty as a consequence of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and for other purposes."