Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 - SECT 35

PART IV PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO ACTS AND SUBORDINATE INSTRUMENTS

Principles of and aids to interpretation

35. Principles of and aids to interpretation

In the interpretation of a provision of an Act or subordinate instrument-

   (a)  a construction that would promote the purpose or object underlying the
        Act or subordinate instrument (whether or not that purpose or object
        is expressly stated in the Act or subordinate instrument) shall be
        preferred to a construction that would not promote that purpose or
        object; and

   (b)  consideration may be given to any matter or document that is relevant
        including but not limited to-

   (i)  all indications provided by the Act or subordinate instrument as
        printed by authority, including punctuation;

   (ii) reports of proceedings in any House of the Parliament;

   (iii) explanatory memoranda or other documents laid before or otherwise
        presented to any House of the Parliament; and

   (iv) reports of Royal Commissions, Parliamentary Committees, Law Reform
        Commissioners and Commissions, Boards of Inquiry or other similar
        bodies.