New VSBC guideline on ‘What are “retail premises”?’

It has been suggested that paras A (d), (e) and (f) are in some way interdependent as a result of some cross-referencing between them. However, as these paragraphs are clearly and expressly cast in the alternative throughout (the word “or” is used consistently) and, in terms of substance, each paragraph introduces a different, separate, circumstance for its application which is not, again in substance, dependent upon the circumstances addressed by the other paragraphs, it seems clear that they operate independently and any cross-referencing is merely a drafting device, for economy of words (and see Pearce and Geddes, Statutory Interpretation in Australia , 6th ed, LexisNexis, Sydney, 2006, at [2.12], in relation to the circumstances where “and” and “or” may be “modified”).

We are not aware of any decisions that consider the operation of this determination. Consequently, while the Commissioner’s guideline provides useful support for the proposition that the ‘or’ at the end of sub-paragraph A(e) of the determination should be read as ‘and’, the debate remains a live one.

Sam Hopper and Lisa Rennie