156Application of definitions in dictionaries and sections

156 Application of definitions in dictionaries and sections (1) A definition in the dictionary to an Act or statutory instrument applies to the entire Act or instrument unless the Act or instrument provides for the definition to have a more limited application. 1 The dictionary to the ABC Act 1999 includes the signpost definition ‘x—see the XYZ Act 1998, section 3.’. There is nothing in the ABC Act 1999 indicating the intended application of the definition of x. The definition of x in the XYZ Act 1998, s 3, therefore, applies to the entire ABC Act 1999. 2 In an Act, the word z is defined in the dictionary. The definition provides, in part, that ‘z, in part 4 (Registration of vehicles), means ...’. The definition of z applies only to pt 4. 3 In pt 6 of an Act (which is headed ‘Part 6 Complaints’), the word a is defined in s 50. The section is not divided into subsections but contains a number of definitions. Section 50 begins with the words ‘In this part:’. However, the dictionary to the Act contains the following definition: a—see section 50. The definition of a applies to the entire Act (compare s (2) example 2). Note 1 See s 144 (Meaning of commonly-used terms) for the application of the definitions in this Act, dict, pt 1.

Definitions Part 15.2 Note 2 Section 148 (Terms used in instruments have same meanings as in authorising laws) provides that terms used in a statutory instrument have the same meaning as they have in the Act or statutory instrument under which the statutory instrument is made. (2) A definition in a section of an Act or statutory instrument applies only to the section unless the Act or instrument provides for the definition to have a broader application. 1 This Act, s 255 (7) (Forms) contains definitions of form 1 and form 2 as tagged terms. There is nothing in this Act indicating that the definitions apply outside s 255. The definitions apply only to s 255. 2 In pt 6 of an Act (which is headed ‘Part 6 Complaints’), the word a is defined in s 50. The section is not divided into subsections but contains a number of definitions. Section 50 begins with the words ‘In this part:’. However, the dictionary to the Act contains the following definition: a, for part 6 (Complaints)—see section 50. The definition of a applies to all of pt 6, but not to provisions of the Act outside pt 6 (compare s (1) example 3). 3 In an Act, the word b is defined in a section, which is not divided into subsections but contains a number of definitions. The section begins with the words ‘In this Act:’. The definition of b applies to the entire Act. (3) A definition in a section of an Act or statutory instrument applies to the entire section unless the Act or instrument provides for the definition to have a more limited application. In a subsection of a section of an Act, the word c is defined. The subsection begins with the words ‘In subsection (3):’. The definition of c applies only to s (3) of that section. (4) In applying this section to an Act or statutory instrument that is divided otherwise than into sections, a reference to a section is a reference to a corresponding provision of the Act or instrument.