{"id":"covid19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020","name":"COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020","slug":"covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":30316,"registerId":"wa-covid19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nCOVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020\n\nWestern Australia\n\nCOVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020\n\nContents\n\nPart 1 — Preliminary\n\n1. Short title 2\n\n2. Commencement 2\n\n3. Primary purposes of Act 2\n\n4. Terms used 2\n\n5. Act binds Crown 3\n\n6. Relationship of this Act to other written laws 3\n\nPart 2 — Provisions of general application\n\nDivision 1 — Fees and charges\n\nSubdivision 1 — Preliminary\n\n7. Terms used 4\n\nSubdivision 3 — Validation of reductions, waivers and refunds\n\n11. Validation of reductions, waivers and refunds 4\n\nDivision 2 — Meetings\n\nSubdivision 2 — Validation of meetings and decisions\n\n18. Validation of meetings and decisions 6\n\nDivision 3 — Public availability of documents\n\nSubdivision 2 — Validation of things done\n\n21. Validation of things done 7\n\nDivision 5 — General provisions\n\n27. Postponing cessation of Divisions and Subdivisions 7\n\nPart 3 — Provisions affecting obligations or authorisations under Acts\n\nDivision 1 — Preliminary\n\n28. Terms used 9\n\nDivision 2 — Authorisations generally\n\n29. Decision‑maker may set new expiry day for authorisations during operative period 9\n\n30. Decision‑maker may modify or remove conditions of authorisations during operative period 13\n\n31. Decision‑maker may decide order no longer applies to relevant authorisation if condition of order breached 14\n\nDivision 3 — Specific provisions\n\n32. Exemption from local planning scheme taken to be exemption from region planning scheme 15\n\n33. Extension of certain time limits under relevant schemes 16\n\nDivision 4 — End of operative periods for provisions of Part\n\n34. Postponing ending of operative periods for provisions of this Part 17\n\n35. End of operative period does not affect things done during period 18\n\n36. Orders cease to have effect at the end of 30 June 2025 18\n\nPart 4 — Modification of Acts\n\nDivision 1 — *Bail Act 1982* modified\n\n38. Section 43A modified 19\n\nDivision 2 — *Mental Health Act 2014* modified\n\n39. Term used: Mental Health Infection Control Directions 19\n\n40. Act modified 19\n\n41. Section 48 modified 20\n\n42. Section 79 modified 20\n\n43. Validation of assessments and examinations 21\n\nDivision 3 — *Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005* modified\n\n45. Section 9 modified 21\n\nDivision 4 — *Sentencing Act 1995* modified and consequential modification\n\nSubdivision 1 — *Sentencing Act 1995* modified\n\n47. Section 14 modified 22\n\n48. Section 14B inserted 22\n\n14B. Use of audio link for sentencing 22\n\n49. Section 34 modified 23\n\nSubdivision 2 — *Criminal Procedure Act 2004* modified consequentially\n\n50. Act modified 23\n\n51. Section 77 modified 24\n\nDivision 5 — Postponing cessation of modifying provisions\n\n52. Postponing cessation of modifying provisions 24\n\nPart 5 — Acts amended: facilitating electronic transactions\n\nDivision 1 — Extending the application of the *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013*\n\n53. *Administration Act 1903* amended 25\n\n3A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 25\n\n54. *Coroners Act 1996* amended 25\n\n4A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 25\n\n55. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* amended 25\n\n56. *Criminal Investigation Act 2006* amended 26\n\n5A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 27\n\n57. *Criminal Investigation (Extra‑territorial Offences) Act 1987* amended 27\n\n3B. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 27\n\n58. *Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002* amended 27\n\n4A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 27\n\n59. *Family Court Act 1997* amended 28\n\n9B. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 28\n\n60. *Juries Act 1957* amended 28\n\n3B. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 28\n\n61. *Sentence Administration Act 2003* amended 28\n\n4A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies 28\n\nDivision 2 — Amendment of environmental and water related legislation\n\nSubdivision 1 — *Contaminated Sites Act 2003* amended\n\n62. Act amended 29\n\n63. Schedule 2 amended 29\n\nSubdivision 2 — *Litter Act 1979* amended\n\n64. Act amended 29\n\n65. Section 33 amended 29\n\nSubdivision 3 — *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914* amended\n\n66. Act amended 30\n\n67. Section 6 amended 30\n\n68. Section 26GZB amended 30\n\n69. Section 26GZG amended 30\n\n70. Section 26N amended 31\n\n71. Section 27 amended 31\n\n72. Section 66 amended 31\n\nSubdivision 4 — *Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007* amended\n\n73. Act amended 32\n\n74. Section 28 amended 32\n\n75. Section 47 amended 33\n\n76. Schedule 3 amended 33\n\nSubdivision 5 — *Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984* amended\n\n77. Act amended 33\n\n78. Section 36 amended 34\n\nSubdivision 6 — *Water Services Act 2012* amended\n\n79. Act amended 34\n\n80. Section 222 amended 34\n\nPart 6 — Acts amended: miscellaneous matters\n\nDivision 1 — *Bail Act 1982* amended\n\n81. Act amended 35\n\n82. Various provisions amended 35\n\nDivision 2 — *Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899* amended\n\n83. Act amended 35\n\n84. Section 45A inserted 35\n\n45A. Executive Council meetings 35\n\nDivision 3 — *Criminal Procedure Act 2004* amended\n\n85. Act amended 36\n\n86. Section 21 amended 36\n\n87. Section 23 amended 37\n\n88. Schedule 1 clause 3 amended 37\n\nDivision 4 — *Evidence Act 1906* amended\n\n89. Act amended 37\n\n90. Section 106K amended 37\n\n91. Section 106N amended 39\n\nDivision 5 — *Interpretation Act 1984* amended and consequential amendments\n\nSubdivision 1 — *Interpretation Act 1984* amended\n\n92. Act amended 39\n\n93. Section 3 amended 39\n\n94. Section 45 amended 39\n\nSubdivision 2 — Consequential amendments\n\n95. *Auction Sales Act 1973* amended 39\n\n96. *Debt Collectors Licensing Act 1964* amended 40\n\n97. *Employment Agents Act 1976* amended 40\n\n98. *Finance Brokers Control Act 1975* amended 40\n\n99. *Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978* amended 40\n\n100. *Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973* amended 40\n\n101. *Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978* amended 40\n\n102. *Transfer of Land Act 1893* amended 40\n\nPart 7 — Miscellaneous\n\n103. Provisions about orders made under Act 41\n\n104. Effect of provisions of this Act, certain regulations and orders ceasing to have effect 41\n\n105. Regulations 42\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 44\n\nOther notes 44\n\nDefined terms\n\n  \n\nWestern Australia\n\nCOVID‑19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020\n\nAn Act —\n\n- to provide for the amelioration of problems and impediments arising from the emergency response to the COVID‑19 pandemic; and\n- to facilitate aspects of the economic recovery from the emergency response to the pandemic; and\n- to make related amendments to various Acts; and\n- to validate certain actions taken during or following the state of emergency declared in relation to the pandemic on 16 March 2020; and\n- for related purposes.\n\n\n## Part 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 1. Short title\n\nThis is the *COVID‑19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020*.\n\n##### 2. Commencement\n\nThis Act comes into operation as follows —\n\n(a) Part 1 — on the day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent;\n\n(b) the rest of the Act — on the day after that day.\n\n##### 3. Primary purposes of Act\n\nThe primary purposes of this Act are —\n\n(a) to provide for the amelioration of problems in relation to compliance with statutory requirements, and of impediments to the processes of government, arising from the emergency response to the COVID‑19 pandemic; and\n\n(b) to provide for the amelioration of problems arising from the emergency response to an outbreak, or the risk of an outbreak, of COVID‑19 in the State; and\n\n(c) to facilitate aspects of the economic recovery from the emergency response to the COVID‑19 pandemic.\n\n##### 4. Terms used\n\n(1) In this Act —\n\nagency has the meaning given in the *Public Sector Management Act 1994* section 3(1);\n\nauthorisation includes an approval, licence or permit;\n\nCOVID emergency declaration means a declaration made under the *Emergency Management Act 2005* section 56, or the *Public Health Act 2016* section 167, in relation to the COVID‑19 pandemic;\n\nnon‑SES organisation has the meaning given in the *Public Sector Management Act 1994* section 3(1);\n\nportfolio Minister, in relation to an Act, means the Minister to whom the administration of the whole or a part of the Act is committed;\n\nprescribed means prescribed by regulations under this Act.\n\n(2) In this Act —\n\n(a) a reference to a thing done includes a reference to a thing omitted to be done; and\n\n(b) a reference to a requirement under an Act includes a reference to the Act providing consequences for doing or not doing a thing; and\n\n(c) a reference to the portfolio Minister in relation to an Act is, if the administration of the Act is committed to more than 1 Minister, a reference to any of those Ministers.\n\n##### 5. Act binds Crown\n\nThis Act binds the Crown in right of Western Australia and, so far as the legislative power of the Parliament permits, the Crown in all its other capacities.\n\n##### 6. Relationship of this Act to other written laws\n\nThis Act has effect despite any other written law.\n\n## Part 2 — Provisions of general application\n\n### Division 1 — Fees and charges\n\n#### Subdivision 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 7. Terms used\n\nIn this Division —\n\nchief employee has the meaning given in the *Public Sector Management Act 1994* section 3(1);\n\nfee includes the following —\n\n(a) a due;\n\n(b) an amount of Metropolitan Region Improvement Tax under the *Planning and Development Act 2005* section 200;\n\n(c) a penalty for a late application under any of the following Acts —\n\n(i) the *Auction Sales Act 1973*;\n\n(ii) the *Debt Collectors Licensing Act 1964*;\n\n(iii) the *Employment Agents Act 1976*;\n\n(iv) the *Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978*;\n\n(v) the *Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973*;\n\n(vi) the *Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978*.\n\n[Subdivision 2 (s. 8-10) ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 20221.]\n\n#### Subdivision 3 — Validation of reductions, waivers and refunds\n\n##### 11. Validation of reductions, waivers and refunds\n\n(1) In this section —\n\nvalidation period means the period —\n\n(a) beginning on 1 April 2020; and\n\n(b) ending on the last day of the period of 6 months beginning on the day on which this section comes into operation.\n\n(2) Any fee or charge under a relevant Act purportedly reduced, waived or refunded during the validation period is taken to be, and to have always been, validly reduced, waived or refunded.\n\n(3) Anything done, or purportedly done, as a result or consequence of, or in reliance on or in relation to, a reduction, waiver or refund validated under subsection (2) (a validated reduction, waiver or refund) is as valid and effective, and is taken to have always been as valid and effective, as it would have been if the validated reduction, waiver or refund had been valid at the time the thing was done or purportedly done.\n\n(4) For the purposes of subsection (2), the relevant Acts are —\n\n(a) the *Associations Incorporation Act 2015*; and\n\n(b) the *Auction Sales Act 1973*; and\n\n(c) the *Building Services (Registration) Act 2011*; and\n\n(d) the *Co‑operatives Act 2009*; and\n\n(e) the *Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004*; and\n\n(f) the *Debt Collectors Licensing Act 1964*; and\n\n(g) the *Electricity Act 1945*; and\n\n(h) the *Employment Agents Act 1976*; and\n\n(i) the *Gas Standards Act 1972*; and\n\n(j) the *Government Railways Act 1904*; and\n\n(k) the *Jetties Act 1926*; and\n\n(l) the *Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978*; and\n\n(m) the *Limited Partnerships Act 2016*; and\n\n(n) the *Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994*; and\n\n(o) the *Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973*; and\n\n(p) the *Motor Vehicle Repairers Act 2003*; and\n\n(q) the *Occupational Safety and Health Act 1984*; and\n\n(r) the *Plumbers Licensing Act 1995*; and\n\n(s) the *Public Transport Authority Act 2003*; and\n\n(t) the *Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978*; and\n\n(u) the *Settlement Agents Act 1981*; and\n\n(v) the *Shipping and Pilotage Act 1967*.\n\n### Division 2 — Meetings\n\n[Subdivision 1 (s. 12-17) ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 2022 1, 3.]\n\n#### Subdivision 2 — Validation of meetings and decisions\n\n##### 18. Validation of meetings and decisions\n\n(1) Any meeting held or purportedly held, or decision made or purportedly made, under a relevant Act during the period beginning on 16 March 2020 and ending immediately before the day on which this section comes into operation is taken to be, and to have always been, as validly held or made as it would have been if Subdivision 1, and any regulations made under that Subdivision, had been in effect at the time of the meeting or decision.\n\n(2) Anything done, or purportedly done, as a result or consequence of, or in reliance on or in relation to, a meeting or decision validated under subsection (1) (a validated meeting or decision) is as valid and effective, and is taken to have always been as valid and effective, as it would have been if the validated meeting or decision had been valid at the time the thing was done or purportedly done.\n\n(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), the relevant Acts are —\n\n(a) the *Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972*; and\n\n(b) the *Conservation and Land Management Act 1984*; and\n\n(c) the *Environmental Protection Act 1986*; and\n\n(d) the *Litter Act 1979*; and\n\n(e) the *Planning and Development Act 2005*; and\n\n(f) the *Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987*.\n\n### Division 3 — Public availability of documents\n\n[Subdivision 1 (s. 19-20) ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 2022 1.]\n\n#### Subdivision 2 — Validation of things done\n\n##### 21. Validation of things done\n\nA failure to comply with a public availability requirement described in section 19(1) during the period commencing on 16 March 2020 and ending immediately before the day on which this section comes into operation does not affect the validity of anything required or permitted to be done or arising in relation to or as a consequence of the public availability requirement.\n\n[Division 4 (s. 22-26) ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 2022 1.]\n\n### Division 5 — General provisions\n\n##### 27. Postponing cessation of Divisions and Subdivisions\n\n(1) If, under a provision of this Part, the cessation of a Division or Subdivision may be postponed, the Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister, may postpone the cessation of the Division or Subdivision until the end of a day specified in a proclamation made before the Division or Subdivision ceases.\n\n(2) The Minister cannot make a recommendation for the purposes of subsection (1) unless satisfied that postponing the cessation of the Division or Subdivision is necessary or expedient for a purpose in section 3.\n\n(3) The Governor may postpone the cessation of a Division or Subdivision more than once, but cannot specify a day that is after 30 June 2025.\n\n(4) Each postponement of a Division or Subdivision cannot be for longer than 12 months beginning on the day after the most recent day at the end of which the Division or Subdivision would have ceased.\n\n(5) The *Interpretation Act 1984* section 42 applies to and in relation to a proclamation as if the proclamation were a regulation.\n\n## Part 3 — Provisions affecting obligations or authorisations under Acts\n\n### Division 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 28. Terms used\n\nIn this Part —\n\noperative period, for a provision of this Part, means the period —\n\n(a) beginning on the day on which this section comes into operation; and\n\n(b) ending on 31 December 2021, or a later day specified under section 34;2\n\nregion planning scheme has the meaning given in the *Planning and Development Act 2005* section 4(1);\n\nTransport CEO means the chief executive officer of the department of the Public Service principally assisting in the administration of the *Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008*.\n\n### Division 2 — Authorisations generally\n\n##### 29. Decision‑maker may set new expiry day for authorisations during operative period2\n\n(1) In this section —\n\nEnvironment CEO means the CEO as defined in the *Environmental Protection Act 1986* section 3(1);\n\nexpire, for a relevant authorisation, includes the authorisation expiring, ceasing to have effect, lapsing or otherwise ending at the end of a period of time;\n\noriginal expiry day, for a relevant authorisation, means the day on which the authorisation is to expire under the Act;\n\nrelevant authorisation means an authorisation, under an Act, listed in column 1 of the Table to subsection (2).\n\n(2) A person (the decision‑maker) listed in column 2 of the Table opposite a relevant authorisation may specify, by order made during the operative period 2 for this section, a new day (the new expiry day) on which the authorisation expires if —\n\n(a) the decision‑maker is satisfied that the order is necessary or expedient for a purpose in section 3(a) or (b); and\n\n(b) the order is made before the original expiry day for the authorisation; and\n\n(c) the new expiry day is —\n\n(i) after the original expiry day for the authorisation; and\n\n(ii) before the day that is 12 months after the original expiry day for the authorisation; and\n\n(iii) before 30 June 2025.\n\nTable\n\n| **Authorisation** | **Decision‑maker** |\n| --- | --- |\n| A clearing permit under the *Environmental Protection Act 1986* Part V Division 2 | The Environment CEO |\n| A licence under the *Environmental Protection Act 1986* Part V Division 3 | The Environment CEO |\n| A works approval under the *Environmental Protection Act 1986* | The Environment CEO |\n| A licence under the *Jetties Act 1926* | The chief executive officer as defined in the *Jetties Act 1926* section 3 |\n| A permit under regulations made under the *Jetties Act 1926* | The chief executive officer as defined in the *Jetties Act 1926* section 3 |\n| A driver’s licence under the *Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Act 2008* | The Transport CEO |\n| A learner’s permit under the *Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Act 2008* Part 2 Division 2 | The Transport CEO |\n| A vehicle licence under the *Road Traffic (Vehicles) Act 2012* | The Transport CEO |\n| A licence under the *Tobacco Products Control Act 2006* | The CEO as defined in the *Health Legislation Administration Act 1984* section 3 |\n| A licence under the *Water Services Act 2012* Part 2 Division 2 | The Economic Regulation Authority established by the *Economic Regulation Authority Act 2003* section 4 |\n| A prescribed authorisation | A prescribed person who grants a prescribed authorisation |\n\n\nNote for this subsection:\n\nSee section 103 for provisions about orders.\n\n(3) An order may —\n\n(a) apply to a relevant authorisation that has been the subject of a previous order under this section; and\n\n(b) specify a new expiry day by —\n\n(i) specifying a particular day; or\n\n(ii) referring to a period of time after the original expiry day for the relevant authorisation.\n\nExample for this subsection:\n\nAn order may specify new expiry days for a class of relevant authorisations by stating that the new expiry day for each authorisation in the class is the day that is 6 months after the original expiry day for the authorisation.\n\n(4) A relevant authorisation the subject of an order —\n\n(a) does not expire on the original expiry day for the authorisation; but\n\n(b) expires at the end of the new expiry day for the authorisation under the order.\n\n(5) However —\n\n(a) a relevant authorisation the subject of an order may be —\n\n(i) suspended, cancelled or otherwise ended (other than by expiring) under a written law; or\n\n(ii) the subject of a decision under section 31 that the order no longer applies to the authorisation;\n\nand\n\n(b) if a person is disqualified under a written law from holding a relevant authorisation, an order under this section does not affect the disqualification.\n\n##### 30. Decision‑maker may modify or remove conditions of authorisations during operative period2\n\n(1) In this section —\n\nmeter has the meaning given in the *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914* Schedule 1 clause 46(5);\n\nrelevant authorisation means an authorisation listed in column 1 of the Table to subsection (2).\n\n(2) If a relevant authorisation is subject to a condition of a type listed in column 2 of the Table, a person (the decision‑maker) listed in column 3 of the Table opposite the authorisation may determine, by order made during the operative period 2 for this section, that the condition —\n\n(a) no longer applies; or\n\n(b) applies with the modifications set out in the order.\n\nTable\n\n| **Authorisation** | **Condition** | **Decision‑maker** |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| A clearing licence under the *Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947* section 12C | Any condition of the licence imposed under the *Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947* | The portfolio Minister for the *Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947* |\n| A licence under the *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914* section 5C | A condition about meters imposed on the licence by regulations made under the *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914* | The portfolio Minister for the *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914* |\n| A prescribed authorisation | A prescribed class of conditions in relation to the prescribed authorisation | A prescribed person who grants the prescribed authorisation |\n\n\nNote for this subsection:\n\nSee section 103 for provisions about orders.\n\n(3) The decision‑maker cannot make the order unless satisfied that the order is necessary or expedient for a purpose in section 3(a) or (b).\n\n(4) An order may apply to a relevant authorisation that has been the subject of a previous order under this section.\n\n(5) An order ceases to have effect at the end of —\n\n(a) the 1st anniversary of the day on which the order comes into operation; or\n\n(b) if an earlier day is specified in the order — that day.\n\n(6) Subject to section 31, during the period an order is in effect a person is taken to have satisfied a condition of a relevant authorisation the subject of the order if, under the order, the condition —\n\n(a) no longer applies to the authorisation; or\n\n(b) applies with modifications and the modified condition is satisfied.\n\n##### 31. Decision‑maker may decide order no longer applies to relevant authorisation if condition of order breached\n\n(1) If a condition of an order made under section 29 or 30 is not satisfied in relation to a relevant authorisation, the decision‑maker for the relevant authorisation may decide that the order no longer applies to the authorisation.\n\n(2) Before making a decision under subsection (1), the decision‑maker must —\n\n(a) give the holder of the relevant authorisation a written notice stating that —\n\n(i) a condition of the order has not been satisfied in relation to the relevant authorisation; and\n\n(ii) because the condition of the order has not been satisfied, the decision‑maker may make a decision under subsection (1); and\n\n(iii) the holder may make a written submission about the decision during a period (of not less than 28 days from the day on which the notice is received by the holder) stated in the notice;\n\nand\n\n(b) consider any submissions received under paragraph (a)(iii).\n\n(3) After making a decision under subsection (1), the decision‑maker must give the holder of the relevant authorisation a written notice setting out —\n\n(a) the decision; and\n\n(b) if the decision is that the order no longer applies to the relevant authorisation — the reasons for the decision.\n\n### Division 3 — Specific provisions\n\n##### 32. Exemption from local planning scheme taken to be exemption from region planning scheme\n\n(1) In this section —\n\nclause 78H notice means a notice made under the *Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015* Schedule 2 clause 78H(1) or (6).\n\n(2) This section applies if —\n\n(a) a person does something (whether before or after the day on which this section comes into operation) pursuant to an exemption from a planning requirement in a clause 78H notice in force when the thing is done; and\n\n(b) the thing done contravenes a requirement or provision of a region planning scheme.\n\n(3) Despite the requirement or provision of the region planning scheme, the thing done is, and is taken to always have been, done pursuant to an exemption from the requirement or provision.\n\n##### 33. Extension of certain time limits under relevant schemes\n\n(1) In this section —\n\ndevelopment approval means an approval granted under a relevant scheme;\n\nrelevant scheme means an improvement scheme as defined in the *Planning and Development Act 2005* section 4(1) or a region planning scheme.\n\n(2) This section applies to a development approval that —\n\n(a) is valid on 8 April 2020; or\n\n(b) is granted on or after 8 April 2020 if, at the time it is granted, a COVID emergency declaration is in effect.\n\n(3) Despite anything provided in a development approval or in the relevant scheme under which it is granted, the development approval —\n\n(a) remains valid until the day which is 2 years after the day on which, but for this section, it would have ceased to be valid; and\n\n(b) lapses if the development has not been substantially commenced before that day.\n\n(4) A development which has been substantially commenced by the day provided by subsection (3)(a) is taken to have been substantially commenced within the time required under the development approval and the relevant scheme under which it is granted.\n\n(5) This section does not prevent the time until which a development approval remains valid or the time within which a development is required to be substantially commenced from being varied by an amendment to the development approval made under the *Planning and Development Act 2005*.\n\n### Division 4 — End of operative periods for provisions of Part\n\n##### 34. Postponing ending of operative periods for provisions of this Part\n\n(1) The Governor, on the recommendation of the Minister, may, by proclamation made before the operative period for a provision of this Part ends, postpone the end of the operative period until a day specified for the provision in the proclamation.\n\n(2) The Minister cannot make a recommendation for the purposes of subsection (1) unless satisfied that postponing the end of the operative period for a provision is necessary or expedient for a purpose in section 3.\n\n(3) The Governor may postpone the end of an operative period more than once, but cannot specify a day that is after 30 June 2025.\n\n(4) Each postponement of the operative period for a provision cannot be for longer than 12 months beginning on the day after the most recent day on which the operative period would have ended.\n\n(5) The *Interpretation Act 1984* section 42 applies to and in relation to a proclamation as if the proclamation were a regulation.\n\n##### 35. End of operative period does not affect things done during period\n\nThe ending of the operative period for a provision of this Part does not affect anything done during the operative period in reliance on the provision.\n\n##### 36. Orders cease to have effect at the end of 30 June 2025\n\nAn order made under this Part that has not ceased to have effect on or before 30 June 2025 ceases to have effect at the end of that day.\n\n## Part 4 — Modification of Acts\n\n### Division 1 — *Bail Act 1982* modified\n\n[**37.** Ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 2022 1.]\n\n##### 38. Section 43A modified\n\nDelete section 43A(2) and insert:\n\n(2) This section applies if —\n\n(a) a proposed surety is in another State or a Territory; or\n\n(b) it is impracticable for the proposed surety to enter into a surety undertaking in person before a relevant official.\n\n### Division 2 — *Mental Health Act 2014* modified\n\n##### 39. Term used: Mental Health Infection Control Directions\n\nFor the purposes of this Division —\n\nMental Health Infection Control Directions means the directions, referred to as the Mental Health Infection Control Directions —\n\n(a) made under the *Public Health Act 2016* sections 157 and 190 on 6 April 2020; and\n\n(b) that provide for infection control measures, relating to the COVID‑19 pandemic, to be followed when conducting assessments and examinations under the *Mental Health Act 2014*.\n\n##### 40. Act modified\n\n(1) The *Mental Health Act 2014* applies as if modified as set out in this Division.\n\n(2) Subsection (1) has effect while the Mental Health Infection Control Directions, or any replacement directions, have effect.\n\n##### 41. Section 48 modified\n\nAfter section 48(4) insert:\n\n(5) Despite any other provision of this section, an assessment may be conducted using audiovisual communication if the practitioner is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to do so to comply with the requirements of the Mental Health Infection Control Directions or any replacement directions.\n\n##### 42. Section 79 modified\n\n(1) Delete section 79(3)(c) and insert:\n\n(c) a health professional and the person being examined —\n\n(i) are in one another’s physical presence; or\n\n(ii) if that is not practicable — are able to hear one another without using a communication device (for example, by being able to hear one another through a door).\n\n(2) After section 79(6) insert:\n\n(7) Despite any other provision of this section, an examination may be conducted using audiovisual communication if the psychiatrist or practitioner is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to do so to comply with the requirements of the Mental Health Infection Control Directions or any replacement directions.\n\n##### 43. Validation of assessments and examinations\n\n(1) This section applies to an assessment or examination under the *Mental Health Act 2014* Part 6 Division 2 or 3 conducted —\n\n(a) using audiovisual communication; and\n\n(b) on or after 7 April 2020 (the day on which the Mental Health Infection Control Directions commenced to have effect) and before the day on which this section comes into operation.\n\n(2) The assessment or examination, and any referral or order made as a result, is as valid and effective, and is to be taken to have always been as valid and effective, as it would have been if —\n\n(a) the modifications set out in this Division had been in effect at the time of the assessment or examination; and\n\n(b) the psychiatrist or practitioner had been satisfied as described in those modifications.\n\n### Division 3 — *Oaths, Affidavits and Statutory Declarations Act 2005* modified\n\n[**44.** Ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 2022 1.]\n\n##### 45. Section 9 modified\n\nBefore section 9(6)(a) insert:\n\n(aa) if the affidavit is made at the time a COVID emergency declaration as defined in the *COVID‑19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020* section 4(1) is in effect — a person prescribed by the regulations for the purpose of this paragraph;\n\n### Division 4 — *Sentencing Act 1995* modified and consequential modification\n\n#### Subdivision 1 — *Sentencing Act 1995* modified\n\n[**46.** Ceased to have effect at end of 31 Dec 2022 1.]\n\n##### 47. Section 14 modified\n\nIn section 14(1) delete “section 14A.” and insert:\n\nsection 14A or audio link under section 14B.\n\n##### 48. Section 14B inserted\n\nAfter section 14A insert:\n\n14B. Use of audio link for sentencing\n\n(1) In this section —\n\naudio link means facilities, including telephones, that enable, at the same time, a court at one place to hear a person at another place and vice versa;\n\nnon‑custodial sentence means a sentence imposed under Part 7, 8, 8A, 9 or 10;\n\nvideo link has the meaning given in section 14A(4).\n\n(2) A court sentencing an offender may, on an application by the offender, direct that the offender appear before it by audio link from a place in this State.\n\n(3) The court must not make a direction under subsection (2) unless all of the following circumstances apply —\n\n(a) the offender has been convicted of an offence on a plea of guilty;\n\n(b) the court proposes to impose a non‑custodial sentence on the offender in respect of the offence;\n\n(c) the court is satisfied that —\n\n(i) the audio link is available or can reasonably be made available; and\n\n(ii) the direction is in the interests of justice.\n\n(4) The place where an offender attends for sentencing by audio link is taken to be part of the court for the purposes of the sentencing.\n\n(5) An audio link must not be used under this section if a video link is available or can reasonably be made available.\n\n##### 49. Section 34 modified\n\nIn section 34(1) delete “section 14A,” and insert:\n\nsection 14A or audio link under section 14B,\n\n#### Subdivision 2 — *Criminal Procedure Act 2004* modified consequentially\n\n##### 50. Act modified\n\n(1) The *Criminal Procedure Act 2004* applies as if modified as set out in this Subdivision.\n\n(2) Subsection (1) ceases to have effect when section 46(1) ceases to have effect.\n\n##### 51. Section 77 modified\n\nIn section 77(7) delete “section 14A.” and insert:\n\nsection 14A or 14B.\n\n### Division 5 — Postponing cessation of modifying provisions\n\n##### 52. Postponing cessation of modifying provisions\n\n(1) If, under this Part, the cessation of a provision that provides for the modification of an Act may be postponed, the Governor, on the recommendation of the portfolio Minister, may postpone the cessation of the provision to a day specified in a proclamation made before the provision ceases.\n\n(2) The portfolio Minister cannot make a recommendation for the purposes of subsection (1) unless satisfied that postponing the cessation of the provision is necessary or expedient for a purpose in section 3.\n\n(3) The Governor may postpone the cessation of a provision more than once, but cannot specify a day that is after 30 June 2025.\n\n(4) Each postponement of the cessation of a provision cannot be for longer than 12 months beginning on the day after the most recent day at the end of which the provision would have ceased.\n\n(5) The *Interpretation Act 1984* section 42 applies to and in relation to a proclamation as if the proclamation were a regulation.\n\n## Part 5 — Acts amended: facilitating electronic transactions\n\n### Division 1 — Extending the application of the *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013*\n\n##### 53. *Administration Act 1903* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Administration Act 1903*.\n\n(2) At the end of Part 1 insert:\n\n3A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 54. *Coroners Act 1996* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Coroners Act 1996*.\n\n(2) At the end of Part 1 insert:\n\n4A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 55. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013*.\n\n(2) In section 6(1):\n\n(a) before paragraph (a) insert:\n\n(aa) the *Administration Act 1903*;\n\n(b) after paragraph (c) insert:\n\n(ca) the *Coroners Act 1996*;\n\n(c) after paragraph (e) insert:\n\n(ea) the *Criminal Investigation Act 2006*;\n\n(eb) the *Criminal Investigation (Extra‑territorial Offences) Act 1987*;\n\n(ec) the *Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002*;\n\n(d) after paragraph (j) insert:\n\n(ja) the *Family Court Act 1997*;\n\n(e) after paragraph (k) insert:\n\n(ka) the *Juries Act 1957*;\n\n(f) after paragraph (n) insert:\n\n(na) the *Sentence Administration Act 2003*;\n\n##### 56. *Criminal Investigation Act 2006* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Criminal Investigation Act 2006*.\n\n(2) After section 5 insert:\n\n5A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 57. *Criminal Investigation (Extra‑territorial Offences) Act 1987* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Criminal Investigation (Extra‑territorial Offences) Act 1987*.\n\n(2) At the end of Part 1 insert:\n\n3B. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 58. *Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002*.\n\n(2) After section 4 insert:\n\n4A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 59. *Family Court Act 1997* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Family Court Act 1997*.\n\n(2) At the end of Part 1 insert:\n\n9B. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 60. *Juries Act 1957* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Juries Act 1957*.\n\n(2) At the end of Part 1 insert:\n\n3B. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n##### 61. *Sentence Administration Act 2003* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Sentence Administration Act 2003*.\n\n(2) At the end of Part 1 insert:\n\n4A. *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Pt. 2 applies\n\nThe *Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013* Part 2 applies to this Act.\n\n### Division 2 — Amendment of environmental and water related legislation\n\n#### Subdivision 1 — *Contaminated Sites Act 2003* amended\n\n##### 62. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Contaminated Sites Act 2003*.\n\n##### 63. Schedule 2 amended\n\nAfter Schedule 2 item 1 insert:\n\n1A. Providing for notices, reports, approvals or other documents to be given, sent or served under this Act by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) and providing for the proof of that giving, sending or service.\n\n#### Subdivision 2 — *Litter Act 1979* amended\n\n##### 64. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Litter Act 1979*.\n\n##### 65. Section 33 amended\n\nBefore section 33(2)(a) insert:\n\n(aa) providing for notices or other documents to be given, sent or served under this Act by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) and providing for the proof of that giving, sending or service; and\n\n#### Subdivision 3 — *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914* amended\n\n##### 66. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914*.\n\n##### 67. Section 6 amended\n\nDelete section 6(6)(b)(iii) and insert:\n\n(iii) indicating how submissions may be provided.\n\n##### 68. Section 26GZB amended\n\nDelete section 26GZB(b) and insert:\n\n(b) by giving them to the Minister, in a manner designated by the Minister, and so that they are received within that period.\n\n##### 69. Section 26GZG amended\n\nDelete section 26GZG(4)(b) and insert:\n\n(b) by giving them to the Minister, in a manner designated by the Minister, and so that they are received within that period.\n\n##### 70. Section 26N amended\n\nDelete section 26N(3)(b)(iii) and insert:\n\n(iii) indicating how submissions may be provided.\n\n##### 71. Section 27 amended\n\nAfter section 27(1)(f) insert:\n\n(fa) giving, sending or serving by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) notices or other documents to be given, sent or served under this Act and how that giving, sending or service may be proven; and\n\n##### 72. Section 66 amended\n\n(1) In section 66(1):\n\n(a) in paragraph (c) delete “abode.” and insert:\n\nabode;\n\n(b) after paragraph (c) insert:\n\n(d) by sending the same by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) in the manner provided for in the regulations.\n\n(2) In section 66(4) delete the passage that begins with “partnership, by” and ends with “State.” and insert:\n\npartnership by —\n\n(a) being delivered to, left at, or posted in a prepaid letter to the registered office or principal place of business in the State of the corporation, company, or partnership; or\n\n(b) being sent by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) in the manner provided for in the regulations.\n\n#### Subdivision 4 — *Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007* amended\n\n##### 73. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2007*.\n\n##### 74. Section 28 amended\n\nDelete section 28(b) and insert:\n\n(b) by —\n\n(i) delivering or posting them so that they are received within that period at the offices of the Waste Authority; or\n\n(ii) sending them by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) in the manner provided for in the regulations so that they are received by the Waste Authority within that period.\n\n##### 75. Section 47 amended\n\nDelete section 47(4)(b) and insert:\n\n(b) by —\n\n(i) delivering or posting them so that they are received within that period at the offices of the Waste Authority; or\n\n(ii) sending them by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) in the manner provided for in the regulations so that they are received by the Waste Authority within that period.\n\n##### 76. Schedule 3 amended\n\nAfter Schedule 3 item 2 insert:\n\n2A. Without limiting item 1 or 2, providing for notices, directions or other documents to be given, sent or served under this Act by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) and providing for the proof of that giving, sending or service.\n\n#### Subdivision 5 — *Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984* amended\n\n##### 77. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984*.\n\n##### 78. Section 36 amended\n\nIn section 36(4):\n\n(a) in paragraph (e) delete “verified.” and insert:\n\nverified; and\n\n(b) after paragraph (e) insert:\n\n(f) without limiting paragraph (e), may provide for notices to be given, sent or served under this Act by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) and for the proof of that giving, sending or service.\n\n#### Subdivision 6 — *Water Services Act 2012* amended\n\n##### 79. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Water Services Act 2012*.\n\n##### 80. Section 222 amended\n\nAfter section 222(2)(j) insert:\n\n(ja) without limiting paragraph (j), provide for notices and other instruments and documents to be given, sent or served under this Act by electronic communication (as defined in the *Electronic Transactions Act 2011* section 5(1)) and providing for the proof of that giving, sending or service;\n\n## Part 6 — Acts amended: miscellaneous matters\n\n### Division 1 — *Bail Act 1982* amended\n\n##### 81. Act amended\n\nThis Division amends the *Bail Act 1982*.\n\n##### 82. Various provisions amended\n\nAmend the provisions listed in the Table as set out in the Table.\n\nTable\n\n| **Provision** | **Delete** |\n| --- | --- |\n| s. 13B(1)(c) | in urgent cases or with the accused’s consent, |\n| s. 32(1)(c) | in urgent cases or with the accused’s consent, |\n| s. 45(1)(c)(ii) | in urgent cases or with the surety’s consent, |\n\n\n### Division 2 — *Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899* amended\n\n##### 83. Act amended\n\nThis Division amends the *Constitution Acts Amendment Act 1899*.\n\n##### 84. Section 45A inserted\n\nAt the end of Part II insert:\n\n45A. Executive Council meetings\n\n(1) In this section —\n\nremote communication, in relation to a meeting, means any technology that enables all the persons taking part in the meeting to communicate with each other at the same time in a reasonably continuous way.\n\n(2) A meeting of the Executive Council may be held —\n\n(a) in person; or\n\n(b) using remote communication; or\n\n(c) by a mix of those 2 ways of meeting.\n\n(3) A person (including the Governor or any member who is presiding) who participates in a meeting of the Executive Council using remote communication is taken to be present at the meeting.\n\n(4) This section applies despite anything in any Letters Patent relating to the office of Governor.\n\n### Division 3 — *Criminal Procedure Act 2004* amended\n\n##### 85. Act amended\n\nThis Division amends the *Criminal Procedure Act 2004*.\n\n##### 86. Section 21 amended\n\nDelete section 21(3) and insert:\n\n(3) A prosecution is commenced on the day on which a prosecution notice, signed in accordance with section 23, is lodged with the court in which the prosecution is being commenced, whether or not the notice has been served on the accused.\n\n##### 87. Section 23 amended\n\n(1) In section 23(2)(d) delete “in accordance with subsection (3) and, if necessary, subsection (4).” and insert:\n\nby the person who is commencing the prosecution.\n\n(2) Delete section 23(3), (4) and (5).\n\n##### 88. Schedule 1 clause 3 amended\n\nIn Schedule 1 clause 3(2) delete “section 23(3).” and insert:\n\nsection 23.\n\n### Division 4 — *Evidence Act 1906* amended\n\n##### 89. Act amended\n\nThis Division amends the *Evidence Act 1906*.\n\n##### 90. Section 106K amended\n\n(1) Delete section 106K(3)(a) and insert:\n\n(a) the accused must not be in the same room as the affected child when the child’s evidence is being taken but must be able to —\n\n(i) observe the proceedings by means of a closed circuit television system and at all times have the means of communicating with the accused’s counsel; or\n\n(ii) in accordance with subsection (3A), listen to the proceedings by means of an audio link and at all times have the means of communicating with the accused’s counsel;\n\nand\n\n(2) After section 106K(3) insert:\n\n(3A) Subsection (3)(a)(ii) applies to the accused if, in the opinion of the judge, it is not desirable for the accused to attend court due to the accused’s health or another reason the judge thinks fit.\n\n(3B) If the accused hears the proceedings by means of an audio link under subsection (3)(a)(ii), the accused must be provided with a reasonable opportunity to view a copy of the visually recorded evidence before the evidence is presented to the court.\n\n(3) After section 106K(4) insert:\n\n(4A) A person must not make a copy of, or otherwise reproduce, the proceedings, or any part of the proceedings, heard by means of an audio link under subsection (3)(a)(ii).\n\nPenalty for this subsection: a fine of $5 000.\n\n(4B) A person must not play, supply or offer to supply any copy of, or reproduction of, the proceedings, or any part of the proceedings, heard by means of an audio link under subsection (3)(a)(ii).\n\nPenalty for this subsection: a fine of $5 000.\n\n(4C) A person must not broadcast the proceedings, or any part of the proceedings, heard by means of an audio link under subsection (3)(a)(ii).\n\nPenalty for this subsection: imprisonment for 1 year and a fine of $100 000.\n\n##### 91. Section 106N amended\n\nIn section 106N(2)(a) delete “outside the courtroom but within the court precincts,” and insert:\n\nat a place, other than the courtroom, that is approved by the court,\n\n### Division 5 — *Interpretation Act 1984* amended and consequential amendments\n\n#### Subdivision 1 — *Interpretation Act 1984* amended\n\n##### 92. Act amended\n\nThis Subdivision amends the *Interpretation Act 1984*.\n\n##### 93. Section 3 amended\n\nIn section 3(3) delete “45,”.\n\n##### 94. Section 45 amended\n\nDelete section 45(3).\n\n#### Subdivision 2 — Consequential amendments\n\n##### 95. *Auction Sales Act 1973* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Auction Sales Act 1973*.\n\n(2) Delete section 37(2).\n\n##### 96. *Debt Collectors Licensing Act 1964* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Debt Collectors Licensing Act 1964*.\n\n(2) Delete section 26(2).\n\n##### 97. *Employment Agents Act 1976* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Employment Agents Act 1976*.\n\n(2) Delete section 52(4).\n\n##### 98. *Finance Brokers Control Act 1975* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Finance Brokers Control Act 1975*.\n\n(2) Delete section 95(3).\n\n##### 99. *Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Land Valuers Licensing Act 1978*.\n\n(2) Delete section 36(3).\n\n##### 100. *Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Motor Vehicle Dealers Act 1973*.\n\n(2) Delete section 56(3).\n\n##### 101. *Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Real Estate and Business Agents Act 1978*.\n\n(2) Delete section 145(3).\n\n##### 102. *Transfer of Land Act 1893* amended\n\n(1) This section amends the *Transfer of Land Act 1893*.\n\n(2) Delete section 181(3).\n\n## Part 7 — Miscellaneous\n\n##### 103. Provisions about orders made under Act\n\n(1) This section applies to an order made under this Act.\n\nNote for this subsection:\n\nOrders may be made under sections 8, 9, 29 and 30.\n\n(2) The order is subsidiary legislation for the purposes of the *Interpretation Act 1984*.\n\n(3) The *Interpretation Act 1984* section 43(1) and (6) do not apply to the order, however, the order must not be inconsistent with this Act.\n\n(4) The order must, while in effect, be published on a website maintained by, or on behalf of —\n\n(a) the person who made the order; or\n\n(b) if there is no website maintained by, or on behalf of, that person — the agency or non‑SES organisation principally assisting in the administration of the Act in relation to which the order is made.\n\n(5) A failure to comply with subsection (4) does not affect the validity of the order.\n\n##### 104. Effect of provisions of this Act, certain regulations and orders ceasing to have effect\n\nWhen a provision of this Act or an order made under this Act, ceases to have effect, the *Interpretation Act 1984* section 37 applies as if the provision, regulation or order had been repealed.\n\n##### 105. Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor may make regulations prescribing all matters that are required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed, or are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for giving effect to the purposes of this Act.\n\n(2) The regulations may deal with all matters of a savings or transitional nature arising as a result of —\n\n(a) a provision of this Act ceasing to have effect; or\n\n(b) an order made under this Act ceasing to have effect.\n\n(3) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) may —\n\n(a) have effect despite any other written law; or\n\n(b) provide that a specified provision of another written law does not apply, or applies with specified modifications, to or in relation to a matter.\n\n(4) If regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) provide that a specified state of affairs is taken to have existed, or not to have existed, on and from a day that is earlier than the day on which the regulations come into operation (but not earlier than the day on which the relevant provision or order ceased to have effect), the regulations have effect according to their terms.\n\n(5) If regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) contain a provision referred to in subsection (4), the provision does not operate so as to —\n\n(a) affect, in a manner prejudicial to any person (other than the State or a public authority), rights of that person existing before the day on which the regulations come into operation; or\n\n(b) impose liabilities on any person (other than the State or a public authority) in respect of anything done or omitted to be done before the day on which the regulations come into operation.\n\n(6) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) must be made within a period that is reasonably and practicably necessary to deal with the savings or transitional matter, and cannot be made after 30 June 2025.\n\n(7) Regulations made for the purposes of subsection (2) are additional to any relevant provisions of the *Interpretation Act 1984*.\n\n(8) In subsection (5) —\n\npublic authority means —\n\n(a) a Minister of the State; or\n\n(b) an agency, authority or instrumentality of the State; or\n\n(c) a body, whether incorporated or not, that is established or continued for a public purpose by or under a written law; or\n\n(d) a local government or regional local government.\n\n![]()\n\nNotes\n\nThis is a compilation of the *COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020* 3. For provisions that have come into operation see the compilation table.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Short title** | **Number and year** | **Assent** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| *COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020* | 34 of 2020 | 11 Sep 2020 | Pt. 1: 11 Sep 2020 (see s. 2(a));   Act other than Pt. 1: 12 Sep 2020 (see s. 2(b)) |\n\n\nOther notes\n\n1 The *COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020 Postponement Proclamation 2021* (SL 2021/196) cl. 2 postponed the cessation of Pt. 2 Div. 1 Subdiv. 2, Pt. 2 Div. 2 Subdiv. 1, Pt. 2 Div. 3 Subdiv. 1, Pt. 2 Div. 4 and sections 37(1), 44(1) and 46(1) until the end of 31 December 2022.\n\n2 The *COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020 Postponement Proclamation 2021* (SL 2021/196) cl. 3 postponed the end of the operative periods for sections 29 and 30 until the end of 31 December 2022.\n\n3 The amendment in the *Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021* s. 347(2) is not included because the provision it sought to amend ceased to have effect before the amendment purported to come into operation.\n\nDefined terms\n\n*[This is a list of terms defined and the provisions where they are defined. The list is not part of the law.]*\n\n**Defined term Provision(s)**\n\nagency 4(1)\n\nauthorisation 4(1)\n\nchief employee 7\n\nclause 78H notice 32(1)\n\nCOVID emergency declaration 4(1)\n\ndecision-maker 29(2), 30(2)\n\ndevelopment approval 33(1)\n\nEnvironment CEO 29(1)\n\nexpire 29(1)\n\nfee 7\n\nMental Health Infection Control Directions 39\n\nmeter 30(1)\n\nnew expiry day 29(2)\n\nnon-SES organisation 4(1)\n\noperative period 28\n\noriginal expiry day 28(1)\n\nportfolio Minister 3(1)\n\nprescribed 4(1)\n\npublic authority 105(8)\n\nregion planning scheme 28\n\nrelevant authorisation 29(1), 30(1)\n\nrelevant scheme 33(1)\n\nTransport CEO 28\n\nvalidated meeting or decision 18(2)\n\nvalidated reduction, waiver or refund 11(3)\n\nvalidation period 11(1)\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's original, time‑limited purpose was emergency relief and short‑term recovery (s.3). However, built‑in proclamation and postponement powers (s.27, s.34, s.52) and explicit ceilings (orders and operative periods that may be extended up to 30 June 2025 (s.36)) allow the temporary measures to be prolonged. Compilation notes show those postponements have been used, so the practical duration and administrative reach have expanded beyond the Act's initial short‑term window."},"complexity_factors":["Cross‑Act scope: amends and interacts with many disparate Acts across planning, environment, transport, health and courts (see Parts 3–6 and Part 5 listings).","Retrospective validation powers: validates past reductions, meetings and actions taken during emergency periods (s.11, s.18, s.21, s.43).","Delegated order‑making with limited parliamentary formalities: extensive use of orders as subsidiary legislation, published online but exempt from some Interpretation Act requirements (s.103(2)–(4)).","Temporal complexity and sunsets: multiple operative periods, proclamations and postponement mechanisms that can extend provisions up to 30 June 2025 (s.27, s.34, s.52, s.36).","Conditional modification of authorisations: ministers and statutory CEOs may extend expiries or alter licence conditions during operative periods, subject to statutory tests and review procedures (s.29–31).","Electronic‑process reform: broad extension of Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act to many statutes and new electronic‑service provisions (Part 5; s.53–61; s.62–80).","Procedural changes in criminal and civil processes: changes to prosecution commencement, remote participation, audio links, evidentiary protections and penalties for reproducing audio proceedings (s.86–91, s.14B).","Interaction risks: many savings, transitional and priority regulation powers permit retrospective deeming and overrides of other written laws, increasing legal uncertainty for private parties (s.105(2)–(4))."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act provides temporary legal fixes for problems caused by the COVID‑19 response: it validates past fee reductions and meetings, lets certain officials extend or modify licences and approvals, and broadens use of electronic and audio links in courts and agencies (s.11, s.18, s.29–30, Pt.5). It affects licence‑holders, businesses, courts and public authorities. Decision‑makers (ministers, CEOs) gain power to make orders (s.29–30, s.103); affected parties bear the compliance, timing and evidentiary risks of altered procedures."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"While originally framed as emergency COVID-19 response legislation with temporary measures, the Act has grown to include permanent structural changes to Western Australia's legal framework. The electronic transactions amendments (Part 5) permanently extend the application of the Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013 to nine additional Acts including the Coroners Act, Family Court Act, and Criminal Investigation Act. Similarly, the amendments allowing remote Executive Council meetings (s. 45A) and audio links for sentencing (s. 14B of Sentencing Act) appear to be permanent modifications rather than temporary COVID measures. The environmental and water legislation amendments regarding electronic communication are also permanent. The Act has effectively become a vehicle for modernising court processes and administrative procedures under the cover of pandemic emergency powers, with some provisions having already expired while others remain indefinitely."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple temporal layers: The Act contains provisions that have already ceased to have effect (noted as ceasing 31 Dec 2022), operative periods that can be extended by proclamation, and hard sunset dates (30 June 2025), creating a complex temporal matrix.","Extensive cross-referencing: The Act modifies approximately 20 other Acts (Bail Act, Mental Health Act, Sentencing Act, various environmental Acts, etc.) and applies the Courts and Tribunals (Electronic Processes Facilitation) Act 2013 to multiple additional Acts.","Nested conditional logic: Section 29 (licence extensions) contains multiple cumulative conditions (satisfaction of purpose, timing before original expiry, 12-month limit, 2025 cap) plus exceptions (suspension/cancellation still possible, disqualification unaffected).","Validation provisions with retrospective effect: Sections 11, 18, 21, and 43 validate past actions 'taken to have always been valid'—creating complex temporal legal fictions.","Delegated legislation framework: Orders made under the Act are declared 'subsidiary legislation' but with modifications to normal Interpretation Act rules (s. 103).","Multiple extension mechanisms: Different Parts use different mechanisms for extension—some by Governor's proclamation (ss 27, 34, 52), some with 12-month limits, some with absolute 2025 cutoffs.","Defined terms spread across sections: Key terms like 'operative period' and 'validation period' are defined in different sections (28, 11) with different calculation methods.","Tables of amendments: The Act uses tabular formats to specify amendments to other Acts (e.g., s. 82, s. 55), requiring readers to cross-reference between columns."],"plain_english_summary":"This is a Western Australian law passed in 2020 to deal with the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It does three main things:\n\n**1. Validates things done during the emergency**\n- **Fees and charges**: If the government reduced, waived, or refunded fees between April 2020 and six months after this law started, those actions are now legally valid (even if there was doubt about whether officials had the power to do so at the time). This covers things like driver's licences, environmental permits, and business licences.\n- **Meetings**: If government bodies held meetings or made decisions between March 2020 and when this law started—even if they didn't follow normal rules about physical attendance or notice periods—those meetings and decisions are valid.\n- **Documents**: If agencies failed to make documents publicly available during the emergency, this doesn't invalidate anything that happened as a result.\n\n**2. Extends deadlines and modifies rules for licences and permits**\n- **Licence extensions**: Decision-makers can extend the expiry date of various licences (driver's licences, environmental permits, water licences, etc.) by up to 12 months, as long as the new date is before 30 June 2025. This helps people whose licences expired while offices were closed or while they couldn't renew them.\n- **Conditions waived**: Some licence conditions (like meter requirements for water licences) can be temporarily removed or modified.\n- **Planning approvals**: Development approvals that were valid in April 2020 get an extra 2 years before they expire.\n\n**3. Modernises court and legal processes**\n- **Remote court appearances**: Allows accused people to appear in court by audio link (telephone) for sentencing if they're pleading guilty and won't be going to jail. Also allows bail sureties (people guaranteeing an accused will attend court) to sign documents remotely if they're interstate or can't attend in person.\n- **Mental health assessments**: Allows psychiatrists to conduct mental health assessments and examinations by video/audiovisual link when necessary to comply with COVID-19 infection control rules.\n- **Electronic documents**: Extends electronic transaction laws to many more Acts, allowing courts, coroners, family courts, and criminal investigators to use electronic processes. Also allows various environmental and water agencies to send notices and documents electronically.\n- **Child witnesses**: Allows accused persons to listen to child witness testimony via audio link (rather than watching on video) if the judge agrees it's appropriate due to health reasons.\n\n**4. Miscellaneous fixes**\n- **Executive Council**: Allows the Governor's Executive Council to meet remotely using technology.\n- **Prosecution notices**: Simplifies rules about who must sign prosecution notices.\n- **Affidavits**: Allows affidavits to be witnessed by additional prescribed people during COVID emergencies.\n\n**Why it matters**: This law prevented legal chaos by retroactively validating government actions taken during the emergency, helped businesses and individuals avoid penalties for expired licences during lockdowns, and permanently modernised some court and administrative processes to allow remote participation and electronic document handling."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed. The legislative text was not available — only a broken webpage and an acknowledgement of country were returned. It is impossible to determine whether the Act's final scope matched its original intent without access to the actual legislation, explanatory memoranda, or parliamentary debate records."},"complexity_factors":["The actual legislative text was not retrievable — the source URL is a dead page","Only the Act's title and webpage error message were available for analysis","No provisions, schedules, definitions, or operative clauses could be examined","The word 'omnibus' in the title suggests the real Act would likely be highly complex (amending multiple statutes at once), but this cannot be confirmed from the available content","Score reflects the simplicity of the available information, not the likely complexity of the underlying Act"],"plain_english_summary":"The COVID-19 Response and Economic Recovery Omnibus Act 2020 appears to be a Western Australian omnibus statute of pandemic-era emergency and recovery measures, aimed at supporting economic activity and adjusting multiple areas of law simultaneously. \n\nThe full text was not retrieved, so specifics and affected parties (e.g., businesses, tenants, courts, health authorities) can only be inferred; consult WA legislation site for the definitive text."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020","history":"/api/acts/covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/covid-19-response-and-economic-recovery-omnibus-act-2020/documents"}}