{"id":"nsw:act-2018-071","name":"Saint Paul’s College Act 2018","slug":"saint-paul-s-college-act-2018","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"nsw","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"71 of 2018","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":29134,"registerId":"nsw-act-2018-071-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"Part 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Part 1 Preliminary\n\nPart 1 Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name of Act","content":"#### 1 Name of Act\n\n1 Name of Act\n\n> This Act is the [Saint Paul’s College Act 2018](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2018-071).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n2 Commencement\n\n> This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 3 Definitions\n\n3 Definitions\n\n> > (1) In this Act:\n> > \n> > Anglican Church means the Anglican Church of Australia.\n> > \n> > Archbishop means the Archbishop of the Diocese of Sydney of the Anglican Church.\n> > \n> > by-laws means by-laws made under this Act.\n> > \n> > Chaplain means the person appointed as Chaplain of Saint Paul’s College under section 13.\n> > \n> > clerical member—see section 6 (3).\n> > \n> > clerical person means a person who is a member of the ordained clergy of the Anglican Church.\n> > \n> > Council (or new Council) means the Council of Saint Paul’s College established under this Act.\n> > \n> > former Act means the Act repealed by section 18 (1).\n> > \n> > function includes a power, authority or duty, and exercise a function includes perform a duty.\n> > \n> > lay member—see section 6 (4).\n> > \n> > lay person means a person who is not a member of the ordained clergy of the Anglican Church.\n> > \n> > member means a member of the Council.\n> > \n> > ordained clergy includes bishops, priests and deacons.\n> > \n> > Saint Paul’s College means the corporation constituted by this Act.\n> > \n> > University means the University of Sydney.\n> > \n> > Visitor—see section 12.\n> > \n> > Warden means the person appointed as Warden of Saint Paul’s College under section 10.\n> > \n> > Note—\n> > \n> > The [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contains definitions and other provisions that affect the interpretation and application of this Act.\n> \n> > (2) A reference in this Act to a student residing on the premises of Saint Paul’s College includes a reference to a person who is enrolled as a non-residential student in accordance with the by-laws.\n> \n> > (3) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"Part 2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Constitution and management of Saint Paul’s College","content":"# Part 2 Constitution and management of Saint Paul’s College\n\nPart 2 Constitution and management of Saint Paul’s College","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Constitution of The Warden and Fellows of Saint Paul’s College","content":"#### 4 Constitution of The Warden and Fellows of Saint Paul’s College\n\n4 Constitution of The Warden and Fellows of Saint Paul’s College\n\n> > (1) There is constituted by this Act a corporation with the corporate name of “The Warden and Fellows of Saint Paul’s College”.\n> \n> > (2) The Warden and Fellows of Saint Paul’s College:\n> > \n> > > (a) is a college of and within the University established in connection with the Anglican Church, and\n> > \n> > > (b) may also be known as Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (3) The use of the name Saint Paul’s College has the same effect for all purposes as the use of its corporate name.\n> \n> > (4) Saint Paul’s College is not and does not represent the Crown.\n> \n> > (5) Saint Paul’s College is a continuation of, and the same legal entity as, the corporation constituted by the former Act.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> Section 53 of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015) contains savings provisions in relation to the effect of the alteration of the name and constitution of the former corporation.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Functions of Saint Paul’s College","content":"#### 5 Functions of Saint Paul’s College\n\n5 Functions of Saint Paul’s College\n\n> Saint Paul’s College has the following functions:\n> \n> > (a) to provide accommodation, education and religious instruction to students and any other class of persons prescribed by the by-laws,\n> \n> > (b) to enter into commercial or other arrangements relating to the use or occupation of the premises of Saint Paul’s College,\n> \n> > (c) any other functions conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act.\n> \n> Note—\n> \n> See for example section 50 of the [Interpretation Act 1987](/view/html/inforce/current/act-1987-015).","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Council of Saint Paul’s College","content":"#### 6 Council of Saint Paul’s College\n\n6 Council of Saint Paul’s College\n\n> > (1) There is to be a Council of Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (2) Subject to this Act, the Council is to consist of the following members:\n> > \n> > > (a) the Warden,\n> > \n> > > (b) 4 clerical persons elected under section 8,\n> > \n> > > (c) 6 lay persons elected under section 8,\n> > \n> > > (d) 2 lay persons appointed by the Council in accordance with this section.\n> \n> > (3) The clerical persons who are elected under section 8 are clerical members.\n> \n> > (4) The lay persons who are appointed under this section or elected under section 8 as members (other than the Warden) are lay members.\n> \n> > (5) At least one member must be a member of the academic staff of the University.\n> \n> > (6) Each person appointed to the Council must have expertise and experience relevant to the Council’s functions and an appreciation of the objects, values, functions and activities of Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (7) The Council is to have regard to the gender diversity of the Council in appointing persons under subsection (2) (d).\n> \n> > (8) The appointment of persons under subsection (2) (d) is to be in accordance with any by-laws (or, if there are no by-laws relating to appointment of members in force, in accordance with any procedures determined by the Council).","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Role of Council","content":"#### 7 Role of Council\n\n7 Role of Council\n\n> > (1) All decisions relating to the functions of Saint Paul’s College are to be made by or under the authority of the Council.\n> \n> > (2) Any act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, Saint Paul’s College by or under the authority of the Council is taken to have been done by Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (3) The Council has the following functions:\n> > \n> > > (a) to develop and implement policies and strategic plans for the administration and improvement of Saint Paul’s College,\n> > \n> > > (b) to develop and implement Saint Paul’s College’s educational and pastoral philosophy,\n> > \n> > > (c) to manage Saint Paul’s College’s financial resources,\n> > \n> > > (d) to oversee the performance of Saint Paul’s College as a whole,\n> > \n> > > (e) to determine the conditions of appointment of the Warden,\n> > \n> > > (f) to monitor the performance of the Warden,\n> > \n> > > (g) any other functions conferred or imposed on it by or under this or any other Act or law.\n> \n> > (4) The Council may, subject to any by-laws, establish committees to assist it in connection with the exercise of any of its functions.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Election to Council","content":"#### 8 Election to Council\n\n8 Election to Council\n\n> > (1) The election of 4 clerical persons and 6 lay persons as members of the Council is to be held in accordance with any by-laws (or, if there are no by-laws relating to the election in force, in accordance with any procedures determined by the Council).\n> \n> > (2) A person is eligible to vote in an election under this section only if the person is a graduate of the University and has resided on the premises of Saint Paul’s College for at least 4 University terms or 3 University semesters.\n> \n> > (3) The Council is to prepare and maintain, in accordance with any by-laws, a roll containing the name and residential address, postal address or email address of each person eligible to vote in an election under this section.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Duties of Council members","content":"#### 9 Duties of Council members\n\n9 Duties of Council members\n\n> In exercising the member’s functions, a member must:\n> \n> > (a) act in the best interests of Saint Paul’s College as a whole, and\n> \n> > (b) act honestly, in good faith and for a proper purpose, and\n> \n> > (c) exercise a reasonable degree of care and diligence, and\n> \n> > (d) not make improper use of the member’s position to gain an advantage for the member or another person, and\n> \n> > (e) disclose any interest (whether pecuniary or otherwise) that would conflict with the proper exercise of the member’s functions and avoid exercising any function that could involve such a conflict of interest.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"Part 3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Saint Paul’s College office holders","content":"# Part 3 Saint Paul’s College office holders\n\nPart 3 Saint Paul’s College office holders","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Warden","content":"#### 10 Warden\n\n10 Warden\n\n> > (1) The Council is to appoint a person as the Warden of Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (2) A person appointed as Warden must be a clerical person or a lay person who is a communicant member of the Anglican Church.\n> \n> > (3) The term of office and the terms and conditions of the appointment of the Warden are to be determined by the Council.\n> \n> > (4) The Warden is the chief executive officer of Saint Paul’s College and has the following functions:\n> > \n> > > (a) to conduct the day-to-day management of the affairs of Saint Paul’s College,\n> > \n> > > (b) any other functions prescribed by the by-laws or determined by the Council.\n> \n> > (5) The Warden must exercise his or her functions in accordance with the by-laws and any policies of the Council.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Council may suspend or remove Warden","content":"#### 11 Council may suspend or remove Warden\n\n11 Council may suspend or remove Warden\n\n> > (1) The Council may suspend or remove the Warden from office for sufficient cause.\n> \n> > (2) A person suspended or removed from office under this section may appeal to the Visitor for a review of the decision to suspend or remove the person from office.\n> \n> > (3) The Visitor may affirm the decision to suspend or remove the person from office, vary the decision or set aside the decision and make a new decision in its place.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Visitor","content":"#### 12 Visitor\n\n12 Visitor\n\n> > (1) The Archbishop is the Visitor of Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (2) The Visitor has the functions conferred or imposed on the Visitor by or under this Act or any other Act or law.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Chaplain","content":"#### 13 Chaplain\n\n13 Chaplain\n\n> > (1) The Warden is to appoint a clerical person licensed by the Archbishop as the Chaplain of Saint Paul’s College.\n> \n> > (2) The Chaplain has the function of providing religious and spiritual support to students residing on the premises of Saint Paul’s College.","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"Part 4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Miscellaneous","content":"# Part 4 Miscellaneous\n\nPart 4 Miscellaneous","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"14","sectionType":"section","heading":"Eligibility for residency on College premises","content":"#### 14 Eligibility for residency on College premises\n\n14 Eligibility for residency on College premises\n\n> > (1) A person is eligible to reside on the premises of Saint Paul’s College if the person is a current student of the University, regardless of the person’s religion.\n> \n> > (2) The by-laws may prescribe other classes of persons who are eligible to reside on the premises of Saint Paul’s College.","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"15","sectionType":"section","heading":"Dealings with Crown land","content":"#### 15 Dealings with Crown land\n\n15 Dealings with Crown land\n\n> Saint Paul’s College may transfer an interest or estate in, or otherwise deal with, Crown land (within the meaning of the [Crown Land Management Act 2016](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2016-058)) transferred to it or otherwise under its control, only if Saint Paul’s College first obtains the Minister’s written approval.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"16","sectionType":"section","heading":"Protection from personal liability","content":"#### 16 Protection from personal liability\n\n16 Protection from personal liability\n\n> Anything done or omitted to be done by Saint Paul’s College, a member of the Council or any person acting under the direction of Saint Paul’s College does not subject the member or person so acting personally to any action, liability, claim or demand if the thing was done or omitted to be done in good faith for the purposes of executing this Act or the by-laws.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"17","sectionType":"section","heading":"By-laws","content":"#### 17 By-laws\n\n17 By-laws\n\n> > (1) The Council may make by-laws, not inconsistent with this Act, for or with respect to any matter that is required or permitted to be prescribed or that is necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act and, in particular, for or with respect to the following:\n> > \n> > > (a) the management of the affairs of Saint Paul’s College,\n> > \n> > > (b) the control and supervision of students residing on the premises of Saint Paul’s College, including the admission, suspension and expulsion of students to or from the College,\n> > \n> > > (c) the admission of non-residential students,\n> > \n> > > (d) the imposition of fines for breaches of the by-laws,\n> > \n> > > (e) the election of Council members,\n> > \n> > > (f) terms of office of Council members,\n> > \n> > > (g) the committees established by the Council, if any,\n> > \n> > > (h) the procedures for Council meetings and for the transaction of Council business,\n> > \n> > > (i) the functions of the Warden.\n> \n> > (2) A by-law may be amended or repealed by a later by-law made under this section.\n> \n> > (3) The by-laws are to be made publicly available on Saint Paul’s College’s website.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"18","sectionType":"section","heading":null,"content":"#### 18\n\n18 (Repealed)","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 1","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Members and procedure of Council","content":"# Schedule 1 Members and procedure of Council\n\nSchedule 1 Members and procedure of Council","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"Schedule 2","sectionType":"schedule","heading":"Savings, transitional and other provisions","content":"# Schedule 2 Savings, transitional and other provisions\n\nSchedule 2 Savings, transitional and other provisions","sortOrder":33}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Act continues the existing college as the same legal entity (s4(5)) and preserves its core functions (s5). It primarily modernises governance and sets election/appointment, accountability and by‑law mechanisms, while adding a requirement for Ministerial approval for Crown land dealings (s15) and transitional arrangements to phase in the new Council (Schedule 2). These are procedural and administrative changes rather than an expansion of the college’s substantive scope."},"complexity_factors":["Mix of elected and appointed Council members with staggered terms and transitional phasing (s6; Schedule 2)","Eligibility and voting roll rules for electors tied to University graduation and residence (s8)","Council’s broad discretion to make by‑laws covering governance, admissions, discipline and fines (s17)","Conflict disclosure and exclusion rules for members, plus protection from personal liability (Schedule 1 cl 7; s16)","Quorum, chairing and voting arrangements with clerical representation requirement (Schedule 1 cl 9; cl 6)","Ministerial written approval required for dealings in Crown land, adding executive oversight (s15)","Transitional provisions preserving continuity with the former corporation and phased reconstitution (s4(5); Schedule 2)"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act reconstitutes Saint Paul’s College as a university college corporation, establishes a governing Council with specified membership and duties, provides for appointment and removal of a Warden and Chaplain, and authorises the Council to make by‑laws; it confirms the college’s role in providing accommodation, education and religious instruction and permits residency for University students (s4, s5, s6–13, s17, s14). Mechanically, the Council makes policy and controls finances while the College bears operating costs and must obtain ministerial approval to deal with Crown land (s7, s15); members must disclose conflicts and follow by‑laws (s9, s17)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation appears consistent with its original purpose as a constituent statute for a university residential college. The modernisation includes updated governance structures (gender diversity considerations, specific academic representation) and transitional arrangements, but does not represent significant scope creep beyond establishing and regulating the college corporation."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple defined terms (17 in section 3 alone) including technical religious distinctions ('clerical person' vs 'lay person', 'ordained clergy')","Transitional provisions in Schedule 2 with staggered implementation dates (2019, 2021, 2023) creating a complex phasing-in schedule for Council membership","Cross-references to external legislation (Interpretation Act 1987, Crown Land Management Act 2016)","Nested conditions for filling casual vacancies in clause 5 of Schedule 1 with three different scenarios based on timing and appointment method","Specific quorum requirements (7 members including at least 1 clerical member)","Interaction between Act provisions and by-laws (multiple 'subject to by-laws' clauses creating conditional operation)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis Act sets up the legal framework for **Saint Paul's College** — a residential college affiliated with the University of Sydney and the Anglican Church. It replaces an older law (the \"former Act\") and modernises how the college is run.\n\n**Key things the Act does:**\n\n*   **Creates a corporation:** The college is a legal entity called \"The Warden and Fellows of Saint Paul's College\" (can also be called Saint Paul's College). It's not part of the government (\"not the Crown\").\n*   **Sets up a governing Council:** A 13-member Council runs the college, made up of:\n    *   The Warden (chief executive)\n    *   4 elected clergy members (\"clerical persons\")\n    *   6 elected lay members (non-clergy)\n    *   2 appointed lay members\n    *   At least one member must be a University academic, and the Council must consider gender diversity when appointing members.\n*   **Defines roles:**\n    *   **Warden:** The CEO who manages day-to-day operations. Must be Anglican clergy or a lay Anglican. Can be suspended or removed by the Council, with appeal rights to the Visitor.\n    *   **Visitor:** The Archbishop of Sydney, who acts as a kind of overseer or final arbiter for certain disputes.\n    *   **Chaplain:** Provides religious support to students, appointed by the Warden.\n*   **Student access:** Any current University of Sydney student can live at the college, regardless of religion.\n*   **Protections:** Council members and staff are protected from personal lawsuits if they act honestly and in good faith.\n*   **By-laws:** The Council can make detailed rules (by-laws) about student conduct, elections, fines, and college management.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n*   Students living at or wanting to live at Saint Paul's College\n*   University of Sydney graduates who lived at the college and want to vote in Council elections\n*   Anglican clergy and lay members involved in college governance\n*   The Archbishop of Sydney (as Visitor)\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThis Act ensures the college can operate as an independent, self-governing institution while maintaining its Anglican character. It balances religious leadership with broader governance (including lay and academic representation), protects student rights to accommodation regardless of faith, and provides clear accountability structures."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on available metadata, the Act appears to remain focused on its original purpose of governing Saint Paul's College. The minor amendment on 5 February 2019 does not appear to have materially expanded or contracted the Act's scope, though the substance of that amendment cannot be confirmed from the metadata alone."},"complexity_factors":["Insufficient substantive legislative text provided to assess true complexity — only metadata and website navigation content was supplied","Institutional governance legislation of this type is typically narrow and self-contained, affecting a small, specific organisation","Single-institution focus limits broad interpretive challenges","Short Act with only two point-in-time versions suggests minimal amendments and limited complexity"],"plain_english_summary":"Saint Paul's College Act 2018 is a New South Wales law establishing the legal and governance framework for Saint Paul’s College, an Anglican residential college affiliated with the University of Sydney. It prescribes how the college is governed and operates under state law.\n\nComing into force on 22 November 2018 (with an amendment effective 5 February 2019), it primarily affects the college’s governing body, staff, students and the university by formalising rights, duties and institutional authority."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/saint-paul-s-college-act-2018","history":"/api/acts/saint-paul-s-college-act-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/saint-paul-s-college-act-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/saint-paul-s-college-act-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/saint-paul-s-college-act-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/saint-paul-s-college-act-2018/documents"}}