The heads of executive authority in reg 4 of the Northern Territory (Self Government) Regulations are to be construed broadly, consistently with the plenary nature of the Territory's legislative power under s 6 of the Self Government Act, and are not to be read down by reference to the Territory's non-State status. A law which decriminalises conduct that was previously criminal falls within the head of 'maintenance of law and order and the administration of justice'. The question whether legislative power is subject to implied constraints by reference to rights deeply rooted in the democratic system of government and the common law remains open.
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