3Interpretation

3 Interpretation

3 Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context or subject-matter otherwise indicates or requires—

Periodic Council election means an election held for the return of 21 Members of the Legislative Council.

The Legislature means His Majesty the King with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly.

(2) For sections 22H, 22I and 32, in relation to ascertaining a quorum for, or determining a question in, a House of Parliament, a Member of Parliament is taken to be present at a meeting of the House if the Member attends the meeting remotely using an audio visual link in accordance with—

(a) the Standing Rules and Orders of the House, or

(b) a resolution or sessional order of the House.

(3) Subsection (2) has effect for a House of Parliament only if the Presiding Officer of the House has declared that—

(a) it will be impracticable for Members of the House to meet in person during a specified period due to a public emergency, including a public health crisis, natural disaster, major accident, civil disturbance or act of terrorism, and

(b) a majority of the Members of the House have requested remote attendance of the House be permitted under this section during the specified period.

(4) A Member is taken to have made a request under subsection (3)(b) if the following person has made the request on the Member’s behalf—

(a) if the Member belongs to a party—the Member’s party leader,

(b) a Member of Parliament nominated by the Member to the Presiding Officer.

s 3: Am 1978 No 75, Sch 1 (2); 1991 No 20, Sch 1 (1); 2022 No 15, sec 3(1) (2).