3Interpretation

### 3 Interpretation > *\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 117 of 1976, s. 95 and Sched. 3 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 99 of 1982, s. 3 and Sched. 2 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 51 of 1985, s. 4 and Sched. 2 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 13 of 1990, s. 7 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 44 of 1990, s. 225 and Sched. 3 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 45 of 1995, s. 4 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 77 of 1995, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \]**\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 61 of 1996, s. 15 \]* > > > (1)  *\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 71 of 1962, s. 2 \]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears – > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:12 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-12/act-2009-049#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***body armour*** includes protective jackets, protective vests, protective suits, anti-ballistic articles and other similar articles – > > > > > > > > (a) able to be worn, either independently or as a part of something else, on the human body; and > > > > > > > > > (b) designed or adapted to protect the human body from the effects of a firearm or any other prescribed device – > > > > > > but does not include anti-ballistic articles used for eye or hearing protection; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:17 Dec 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-086#GS5@Hpa@EN) ***child*** means any person under the age of 18 years; > > > > > ***Commissioner*** means the Commissioner of Police; > > > > > ***court*** means a court of summary jurisdiction having cognizance of the matter in relation to which the term is used; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 29 of 2004, s. 4, Applied:23 Sep 2004\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-09-23/act-2004-029#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***crossbow*** means a device, consisting of a bow fitted transversely on a stock that has a groove or barrel, designed to direct an arrow or bolt; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:17 Dec 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-086#GS5@Hpb@EN) ***dangerous article*** includes – > > > > > > > > (a) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 43 of 2007, s. 58, Applied:13 Nov 2007\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-11-13/act-2007-043#GS58@Hpa@EN) any weapon other than a firearm; and > > > > > > > > > (b) any article adapted or modified so as to be capable of being used as such a weapon; and > > > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 2016, s. 4, Applied:21 Jun 2016\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-06-21/act-2016-015#GS4@Hpa@EN) any other article that is intended to be used as such a weapon; and > > > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 2016, s. 4, Applied:21 Jun 2016\]*](/view/html/inforce/2016-06-21/act-2016-015#GS4@Hpb@EN) a knife; > > > > > ***data*** includes information, a computer programme or part of a computer programme; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:12 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-12/act-2009-049#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***emergency services*** means – > > > > > > > > (a) the State Emergency Service within the meaning of the [Emergency Management Act 2006](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2006-012) ; and > > > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 73 of 2013, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-07-01/act-2013-073#JS1@Ja9@GC1@EN) Ambulance Tasmania established under the [Ambulance Service Act 1982](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1982-105) ; and > > > > > > > > > (c) the Tasmania Fire Service established under the [Fire Service Act 1979](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1979-035) ; and > > > > > > > > > (d) the Police Service; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 32 of 2025, s. 6, Applied:23 Dec 2025\]*](/view/html/inforce/2025-12-23/act-2025-032#GS6@EN) ***explosive device*** – see [section 3A](#GS3A@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 32 of 2025, s. 6, Applied:23 Dec 2025\]*](/view/html/inforce/2025-12-23/act-2025-032#GS6@EN) ***explosive substance*** – see [section 3B](#GS3B@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 67 of 2004, Sched. 1, Applied:30 Mar 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-03-30/act-2004-067#JS1@Ja8@GC1@EN) ***family violence order*** means a family violence order within the meaning of the [Family Violence Act 2004](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2004-067) , and includes a police family violence order and an interim family violence order, within the meaning of that Act; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 43 of 2007, s. 58, Applied:13 Nov 2007\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-11-13/act-2007-043#GS58@Hpb@EN) ***firearm*** means a firearm within the meaning of the [Firearms Act 1996](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1996-023) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 2014, s. 4, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***fireworks*** means a Type 2 fireworks, or Type 3 fireworks, within the meaning of the [Explosives Regulations 2012](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/sr-2012-128) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 29 of 2004, s. 4, Applied:23 Sep 2004\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-09-23/act-2004-029#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***found offending*** has the meaning assigned to it in [section 55(5)](#GS55@Gs5@EN) ; > > > > > ***gain access*** includes to communicate with a computer; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:12 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-12/act-2009-049#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***graffiti equipment*** means – > > > > > > > > (a) an aerosol paint container; and > > > > > > > > > (b) any other thing prescribed for the purposes of this definition; > > > > > ***liquor*** means a beverage (other than a medicine) that – > > > > > > > > (a) is intended for human consumption; and > > > > > > > > > (b) has an alcoholic content greater than 0·5% by volume when at a temperature of 20° Celsius; > > > > > ***liquor infringement notice*** means a liquor infringement notice in force under [Division IV](#HPVII@HDIV@EN) of [Part VII](#HPVII@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 50 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:25 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-25/act-2009-050#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***motor vehicle*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:12 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-12/act-2009-049#GS4@Hpd@EN) ***mark graffiti*** means mark, draw, write or otherwise deface property by any means so that the defacement is not readily removable by wiping with a dry cloth; > > > > > ***owner***, used with reference to any real property, means the person for the time being in the actual receipt of or entitled to receive, or who, if such property were let to a tenant, would be entitled to receive the rents and profits thereof, whether as beneficial owner, trustee, executor, mortgagee in possession, or otherwise, but shall not include any mesne tenant; > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 76 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jan 2004\]*](/view/html/inforce/2004-01-01/act-2003-076#JS1@Ja56@GC1@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 2000, s. 6, Applied:01 Feb 1997\]*](/view/html/inforce/1997-02-01/act-2000-027#GS6@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:16 Apr 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-04-16/act-2003-009#JS1@Ja43@GC1@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 77 of 2003, s. 4, Applied:15 Dec 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-12-15/act-2003-077#GS4@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 41 of 2005, Sched. 1, Applied:31 Dec 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-12-31/act-2005-041#JS1@Ja4@GC1@EN) ***public authority*** includes the Crown, the Transport Commission, the Hydro-Electric Corporation, Tasmania Development and Resources, local authorities, the Tasmanian Ports Corporation Pty. Ltd. (ACN 114 161 938) and any other person with statutory powers to carry out or maintain works for the use or benefit of the public in this State or any part thereof; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 27 of 1997, s. 5, Applied:01 Oct 2002\]*](/view/html/inforce/2002-10-01/act-1997-027#GS5@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 24 of 2004, s. 46, Applied:01 Jan 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-01-01/act-2004-024#GS46@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 64 of 2009, s. 187, Applied:24 Nov 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-11-24/act-2009-064#GS187@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2012, Sched. 1, Applied:20 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-20/act-2012-038#JS1@Ja4@GC1@EN) ***public place*** includes– > > > > > > | any park, garden, reserve, or other place of public recreation or resort; | > > > | any rail infrastructure, railway, or rolling stock, within the meaning of the Rail Safety National Law (Tasmania) Act 2012 ; | > > > | any public wharf, pier, or jetty; | > > > | any passenger vessel plying for hire; | > > > | any vehicle plying for hire; | > > > | any church, chapel, or other building open for the purpose of Divine service; | > > > | any public hall, theatre, or room in which any public entertainment or meeting is being held or performed or is taking place; | > > > | any market; | > > > | any auction room, or mart, or place open for the purpose of a sale by auction; | > > > | any premises specified in a liquor licence or liquor permit granted under the Liquor Licensing Act 1990 , that are open for the sale of liquor; | > > > | any licensed billiard-room; | > > > | any racecourse, cricket ground, football, show, or regatta ground, or other such place to which the public have access free or on payment of any gate-money; and includes any portion of such place which is within view of the public; | > > > | any open yard, place, allotment, or urinal, closet, lavatory, or other convenience to which the public have access; | > > > | any police office or police station, or any court-house or court of petty sessions, or any yard or enclosure used therewith respectively, to which the public have access; | > > > | any street as herein defined, notwithstanding that the same may be formed on private property; | > > > | any school building or the land or premises used in connection therewith; | > > > | any public cemetery; | > > > | any banking house, warehouse, shop, office, or similar place, while open for the transaction of business; | > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 50 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:25 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-25/act-2009-050#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***public street*** has the same meaning as in the [Traffic Act 1925](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1925-038) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 47 of 2000, s. 4, Applied:14 Jul 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-07-14/act-2000-047#GS4@EN) ***sexual offence*** means any of the following offences committed against or in respect of a person: > > > > > > > > (a) an offence under [section 122](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS122@EN) or [123](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS123@EN) of the *Criminal Code* as in force immediately before 14 May 1997; > > > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 69 of 2003, Sched. 1, Applied:15 Dec 2003\]*](/view/html/inforce/2003-12-15/act-2003-069#JS1@Ja10@GC1@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 2 of 2023, s. 38, Applied:20 Apr 2023\]*](/view/html/inforce/2023-04-20/act-2023-002#GS38@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 17 of 2024, s. 28, Applied:01 Nov 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-11-01/act-2024-017#GS28@EN) an offence under [section 124](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS124@EN) , [124A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-094#JS1@GS124A@EN) , [124B](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS124B@EN) , [124C](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS124C@EN) , [125](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125@EN) , [125A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125A@EN) , [125B](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS125B@EN) , [126](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS126@EN) , [127](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS127@EN) , [127A](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS127A@EN) , [128](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS128@EN) , [129](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS129@EN) , [133](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS133@EN) , [185](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS185@EN) or [186](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS186@EN) of the *Criminal Code*; > > > > > > > > > (c) an offence under [section 298](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS298@EN) or [299](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069#JS1@GS299@EN) of the *Criminal Code* in respect of an offence specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpa@EN) or [(b)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpb@EN) ; > > > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 15 of 2014, s. 4, Applied:19 Dec 2014\]*](/view/html/inforce/2014-12-19/act-2014-015#GS4@Hpb@EN) an offence under [section 8(1A)(a)](#GS8@Gs1A@Hpa@EN) , [section 21](#GS21@EN) or [section 35(3)](#GS35@Gs3@EN) of this Act; > > > > > > > > > (e) an offence under [Part 8 of the](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1995-105#HP8@EN) [Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1995](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1995-105) in respect of a child abuse product, within the meaning of that Part; > > > > > > > > > (f) an offence not specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpa@EN) , [(b)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpb@EN) , [(c)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpc@EN) or [(d)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpd@EN) if there are reasonable grounds to believe that, in the course of or as part of the events surrounding the commission of that offence, an offence specified in [paragraph (a)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpa@EN) , [(b)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpb@EN) , [(c)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpc@EN) or [(d)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpd@EN) was also committed by the offender; > > > > > > > > > (g) an offence against the law of any jurisdiction other than Tasmania which is of substantially the same nature as an offence referred to in [paragraph (a)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpa@EN) , [(b)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpb@EN) , [(c)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpc@EN) , [(d)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpd@EN) , [(e)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpe@EN) or [(f)](#GS3@Gs1@Nd36318478483796@Hpf@EN) ; > > > > > ***street*** extends to and includes any road, square, court, passage, alley, thoroughfare, or public way or footway, any place of public resort, and any avenue leading thereto; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 86 of 2001, s. 5, Applied:17 Dec 2001\]*](/view/html/inforce/2001-12-17/act-2001-086#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***street entertainment*** means entertainment consisting of – > > > > > > > > (a) singing, reciting or acting; or > > > > > > > > > (b) playing a musical instrument; or > > > > > > > > > (c) juggling; or > > > > > > > > > (d) any other activity carried on for the entertainment of the public; > > > > > ***town*** means a town proclaimed under the provisions of any Act and includes a city; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 50 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:25 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-25/act-2009-050#GS4@Hpc@EN) ***trailer*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja30@GC1@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:12 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-12/act-2009-049#GS4@Hpe@EN) ***vehicle*** includes every description of wheeled vehicle; > > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 49 of 2009, s. 4, Applied:12 Nov 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-11-12/act-2009-049#GS4@Hpf@EN) ***youth*** means a person who has not attained the age of 18 years. > > > > [*\[Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja30@GC1@Hpb@EN) > > > (2)  A vessel or vehicle shall be deemed to be plying for hire both when it is awaiting passengers in a place frequented by the public, whether or not such place be a public place as above defined, and when such vessel or vehicle is being used to convey passengers. > > > (3)  The definitions set forth in the [Criminal Code](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1924-069) , so far as the same are applicable and except where inconsistent with this Act, shall be applied in the construction of this Act.