Regulations made pursuant to a political compact are not invalid for improper purpose where they are otherwise within the scope of the regulation-making power and implement a policy that has been the subject of public discussion. The 'nature of the subject matter' proviso in s 39 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1915 (SA) refers only to the enabling statute and does not permit the court to look beyond it to accrued rights or other extraneous matters. Contractual arrangements between government and regulated parties cannot fetter the future exercise of regulation-making power in the public interest. Statutory fishing licences are 12-month privileges analogous to a profit à prendre but do not create permanent property rights.
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