Acts Interpretation Act 1954

In an Act, a reference to a department is a reference to an entity that is a department of government under the Public Sector Act 2022.

In a provision of an Act, a reference to the department without specifying a particular department of government by name is a reference to—

if, for the time being, different Ministers administer the provision in relation to different matters—the department of government that—

deals with the relevant matter; and

is administered by the Minister or Ministers administering the provision in relation to the matter; or

in any other case—the department of government that—

deals with the matters to which the provision relates; and

is administered by the Minister or Ministers for the time being administering the provision.

In an Act, a reference to a specified department of government that no longer exists is a reference to the department specified by notification by the Governor in Council.

If a provision of an Act refers to a department of government and specifies the department by reference to the administration (however described) of a specified Act or enactment, subsection (2) applies as if references in paragraphs (a) and (b) to the provision were references to the specified Act or enactment.