RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975

This compilation was prepared on 14 February 2012
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 46 of 2011

The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section

The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General's Department, Canberra

Contents

Part I--Preliminary 1

1............ Short title [see Note 1] ........................................................................ 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1] .............................................................. 1

3............ Interpretation ....................................................................................... 2

4............ Extension to external Territories .......................................................... 3

5............ Additional operation of Act ................................................................. 3

6............ Act binds the Crown ........................................................................... 4

6A......... Operation of State and Territory laws ................................................. 4

6B......... Application of the Criminal Code ....................................................... 5

7............ Ratification of Convention .................................................................. 5

Part II--Prohibition of racial discrimination 6

8............ Exceptions ........................................................................................... 6

9............ Racial discrimination to be unlawful ................................................... 6

10.......... Rights to equality before the law ......................................................... 7

11.......... Access to places and facilities ............................................................. 8

12.......... Land, housing and other accommodation ............................................ 9

13.......... Provision of goods and services ......................................................... 9

14.......... Right to join trade unions .................................................................. 10

15.......... Employment ...................................................................................... 10

16.......... Advertisements ................................................................................. 11

17.......... Unlawful to incite doing of unlawful acts ......................................... 11

18.......... Acts done for 2 or more reasons ....................................................... 11

18A....... Vicarious liability .............................................................................. 12

Part IIA--Prohibition of offensive behaviour based on racial hatred 13

18B....... Reason for doing an act ..................................................................... 13

18C....... Offensive behaviour because of race, colour or national or ethnic origin 13

18D....... Exemptions ....................................................................................... 14

18E........ Vicarious liability .............................................................................. 14

18F........ State and Territory laws not affected ................................................. 14

Part III--Race Discrimination Commissioner and functions of Commission 15

Division 1--Preliminary 15

19.......... Race Discrimination Commissioner .................................................. 15

20.......... Functions of Commission ................................................................. 15

Part IV--Offences 16

26.......... Unlawful acts not offences unless expressly so provided ................. 16

27.......... Offences relating to administration of Act ......................................... 16

27F........ Non-disclosure of private information .............................................. 17

Part VI--Race Discrimination Commissioner 20

29.......... Appointment of Race Discrimination Commissioner ........................ 20

30.......... Terms and conditions of appointment ............................................... 20

31.......... Remuneration of Commissioner ........................................................ 20

32.......... Leave of absence ............................................................................... 20

33.......... Resignation ....................................................................................... 21

34.......... Termination of appointment .............................................................. 21

35.......... Outside employment ......................................................................... 21

36.......... Acting Commissioner ....................................................................... 21

40.......... Delegation ......................................................................................... 22

Part VII--Miscellaneous 23

44.......... Jurisdiction ........................................................................................ 23

45.......... Protection from civil actions .............................................................. 23

45A....... Commissioner to furnish information ............................................... 24

47.......... Regulations ....................................................................................... 24

Schedule--International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination 25

Notes 39

An Act relating to the Elimination of Racial and other Discrimination

WHEREAS a Convention entitled the "International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination" (being the Convention a copy of the English text of which is set out in the Schedule) was opened for signature on 21 December 1965:

AND WHEREAS the Convention entered into force on 2 January 1969:

AND WHEREAS it is desirable, in pursuance of all relevant powers of the Parliament, including, but not limited to, its power to make laws with respect to external affairs, with respect to the people of any race for whom it is deemed necessary to make special laws and with respect to immigration, to make the provisions contained in this Act for the prohibition of racial discrimination and certain other forms of discrimination and, in particular, to make provision for giving effect to the Convention:

BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the Queen, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Australia, as follows:

Notes to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975

Note 1

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 as shown in this compilation comprises Act No. 52, 1975 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

All relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions prior to 13 October 1999 is not included in this compilation. For subsequent information see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Racial Discrimination Act 1975	52, 1975	11 June 1975	Ss. 1, 2 and 7: Royal Assent Remainder: 31 Oct 1975 (see Gazette 1975, No. S221)
Administrative Changes (Consequential Provisions) Act 1976	91, 1976	20 Sept 1976	S. 3: (a) S. 4: Royal Assent	S. 4
Racial Discrimination Amendment Act 1980	18, 1980	23 Apr 1980	10 Dec 1981 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1981, No. G49, p. 2)	--
as amended by
Racial Discrimination Amendment Act 1981	25, 1981	14 Apr 1981	10 Dec 1981 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1981, No. G49, p. 2)	--
Racial Discrimination Amendment Act 1983	38, 1983	19 June 1983	19 June 1983	--
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1986	126, 1986	6 Dec 1986	10 Dec 1986 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1986, No. S631)	Ss. 31-34
Statute Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1988	38, 1988	3 June 1988	Ss. 3 and 5(1): Royal Assent	S. 5(1)
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1990	115, 1990	21 Dec 1990	S. 49: Royal Assent	--
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Legislation Amendment Act 1992	132, 1992	30 Oct 1992	26 Nov 1992 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1992, No. S346)	--
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act (No. 3) 1992	165, 1992	11 Dec 1992	S. 3(2): Royal Assent S. 4 (Schedule [Part 2]): 8 Jan 1993	S. 3(2)
Sex Discrimination and other Legislation Amendment Act 1992	179, 1992	16 Dec 1992	13 Jan 1993	Ss. 2(2) and 4
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment Act 1993	13, 1994	18 Jan 1994	Part 4 (ss. 17-20): Royal Assent	S. 18(2)
Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 1995	59, 1995	28 June 1995	Ss. 4, 5 and Schedule (items 5, 6, 28-30): Royal Assent	Ss. 4 and 5
Racial Hatred Act 1995	101, 1995	15 Sept 1995	13 Oct 1995	--
Statute Law Revision Act 1996	43, 1996	25 Oct 1996	Schedule 5 (items 133, 134): Royal Assent	--
Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1999	133, 1999	13 Oct 1999	Ss. 4-20 and Schedule 1 (items 63-84): 13 Apr 2000 S. 21: Royal Assent S. 22: 10 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S598)	Ss. 4-22 [see Table A]
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (item 760): 5 Dec 1999 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1999, No. S584)	--
Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000	137, 2000	24 Nov 2000	Schedule 2 (items 347, 348, 418, 419): 24 May 2001	Sch. 2 (items 418, 419) [see Table A]
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	24, 2001	6 Apr 2001	S. 4(1), (2) and Schedule 43: (b)	S. 4(1) and (2) [see Table A]
Age Discrimination (Consequential Provisions) Act 2004	40, 2004	21 Apr 2004	Schedule 2 (item 27): (c)	--
Statute Law Revision Act 2008	73, 2008	3 July 2008	Schedule 4 (items 426-435): 4 July 2008	--
Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009	70, 2009	8 July 2009	Schedule 3 (items 60-70, 167-178) and Schedule 4 (items 1-5): 5 Aug 2009	--
Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011	46, 2011	27 June 2011	Schedule 2 (items 968, 969) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011	Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) [see Table A]

Commencement information
7. Schedule 2, items 23 to 28	The later of: (a) immediately after the commencement of the Age Discrimination Act 2004; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Act 2004

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part I
S. 2......................................	am. No. 91, 1976; No. 126, 1986
S. 3......................................	am. No. 18, 1980 (as am. by No. 25, 1981); No. 126, 1986; No. 38, 1988; No. 179, 1992; No. 133, 1999; No. 73, 2008; No. 70, 2009
S. 4......................................	am. No. 18, 1980
S. 6......................................	am. No. 18, 1980
	rs. No. 126, 1986
S. 6A...................................	ad. No. 38, 1983
	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 133, 1999; No. 70, 2009
S. 6B...................................	ad. No. 24, 2001
Part II
S. 9......................................	am. No. 115, 1990
S. 10....................................	am. No. 18, 1980; No. 126, 1986
S. 11....................................	am. No. 43, 1996
S. 12....................................	am. No. 126, 1986
S. 13....................................	am. No. 43, 1996
S. 15....................................	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 43, 1996
S. 16....................................	am. No. 126, 1986
S. 18....................................	rs. No. 115, 1990
S. 18A.................................	ad. No. 115, 1990
Part IIA
Part IIA ...............................	ad. No. 101, 1995
S. 18B.................................	ad. No. 101, 1995
S. 18C.................................	ad. No. 101, 1995
Note to s. 18C(1)...............	am. No. 133, 1999; No. 70, 2009
Ss. 18D-18F.......................	ad. No. 101, 1995
Part III
Heading to Part III.............	rs. No. 133, 1999
Part III ................................	rs. No. 126, 1986
Division 1
S. 19....................................	rs. No. 126, 1986
S. 19A.................................	ad. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 20....................................	am. No. 18, 1980 (as am. by No. 25, 1981)
	rs. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 101, 1995; No. 133, 1999; No. 70, 2009
Note to s. 20............................	ad. No. 133, 1999
	am. No. 70, 2009
S. 20A.................................	ad. No. 18, 1980
	rep. No. 126, 1986
S. 21....................................	am. No. 18, 1980
	rs. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 22....................................	am. No. 18, 1980
	rs. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 179, 1992; No. 101, 1995
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 23....................................	am. No. 18, 1980
	rs. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Div. 2 of Part III..................	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 24....................................	am. No. 18, 1980
	rs. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 38, 1988; No. 165, 1992; No. 101, 1995
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 24AA, 24AB..................	ad. No. 165, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 24A-24E.......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Div. 3 of Part III..................	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 24F.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25....................................	rs. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25A-25H.......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25J, 25K.......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25L, 25M.......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rs. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25MA..............................	ad. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25N.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25P.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rs. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25Q-25U......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25V.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25W, 25X......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 101, 1995
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25Y.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25Z.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 38, 1988; No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25ZA...............................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 165, 1992
	rs. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25ZAA.............................	ad. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 59, 1995
S. 25ZAB.............................	ad. No. 179, 1992
	am. No. 13, 1994
	rep. No. 59, 1995
S. 25ZAC............................	ad. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 59, 1995
S. 25ZB...............................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Div. 3A of Part III ...............	ad. No. 59, 1995 rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 25ZC...............................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 179, 1992; No. 13, 1994
	rs. No. 59, 1995
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25ZCA-25ZCF.............	ad. No. 59, 1995
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Div. 4 of Part III .................	ad. No. 179, 1992 rep. No. 133, 1999
Ss. 25ZD-25ZI...................	ad. No. 179, 1992
	rep. No. 133, 1999
Part IV
S. 26....................................	am. No. 101, 1995
S. 27....................................	am. No. 18, 1980; No. 126, 1986; No. 133, 1999; No. 24, 2001; No. 70, 2009
Ss. 27A-27D.......................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 133, 1999
S. 27E.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 133, 1999
	rep. No. 137, 2000
S. 27F.................................	ad. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 24, 2001; No. 70, 2009
Note to s. 27F(3)................	ad. No. 24, 2001
Part V..................................	rep. No. 70, 2009
S. 28....................................	am. No. 91, 1976; No. 18, 1980; No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 70, 2009
Part VI
Heading to Part VI.............	rs. No. 70, 2009
Heading to Div. 1 of Part VI.............................	rs. No. 126, 1986
	rep. No. 70, 2009
S. 29....................................	rs. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 59, 1995; No. 70, 2009
S. 30....................................	rs. No. 126, 1986
	am. No. 133, 1999
S. 31....................................	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 59, 1995
S. 32....................................	am. No. 91, 1976
	rs. No. 132, 1992
	am. No. 146, 1999
S. 33....................................	am. No. 126, 1986
S. 34....................................	am. No. 91, 1976; No. 126, 1986; No. 132, 1992
S. 35....................................	am. No. 91, 1976; No. 126, 1986
S. 36....................................	am. No. 91, 1976; No. 126, 1986; No. 132, 1992; No. 13, 1994; No. 46, 2011
Note to s. 36(1)..................	ad. No. 46, 2011
S. 37....................................	rep. No. 126, 1986
S. 38....................................	rep. No. 18, 1980
S. 39....................................	rep. No. 126, 1986
S. 40....................................	rs. No. 18, 1980
	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 132, 1992
Div. 2 of Part VI..................	rep. No. 70, 2009
S. 41....................................	am. No. 91, 1976; No. 126, 1986; No. 73, 2008
	rep. No. 70, 2009
S. 42....................................	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 59, 1995
	rep. No. 70, 2009
S. 43....................................	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 73, 2008
	rep. No. 70, 2009
Part VII
S. 44A.................................	ad. No. 18, 1980
	rep. No. 126, 1986
S. 45....................................	am. No. 18, 1980
	rep. No. 126, 1986
	ad. No. 38, 1988
	am. No. 133, 1999; No. 70, 2009
S. 45A.................................	ad. No. 18, 1980
	am. No. 126, 1986
S. 46....................................	am. No. 91, 1976
	rep. No. 18, 1980
S. 47....................................	am. No. 126, 1986; No. 70, 2009

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 1999 (No. 133, 1999)

4 Interpretation

In this Part:

appropriate Commissioner means:

(a) in relation to a complaint lodged under the old DDA--the Disability Discrimination Commissioner; and

(b) in relation to a complaint lodged under the old RDA--the Race Discrimination Commissioner; and

Court means the Federal Court of Australia.

holding of an inquiry means a holding of an inquiry referred to in a notice given under:

(a) section 83 of the old DDA; or

(b) section 25E of the old RDA; or

new HREOCA means the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 as amended by Schedule 1 to this Act.

old DDA means the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 before being amended by Schedule 1 to this Act.

old RDA means the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 before being amended by Schedule 1 to this Act.

old SDA means the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 before being amended by Schedule 1 to this Act.

purported complaint means a document purporting to be a complaint.

starting day means the day on which this Part commences.

5 Purported complaint lodged but no decision as to whether it is a complaint

(1) A purported complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if, before the starting day:

(a) it was lodged with the Commission; and

(b) the Commission had not decided whether it was a complaint within the meaning of the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA.

(2) On the starting day:

(a) the purported complaint is taken to have been lodged under section 46P of the new HREOCA; and

(b) the Commission must then decide whether it is a complaint within the meaning of the new HREOCA.

6 Administrative appeal on Commission's decision as to whether complaint

(1) A purported complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if:

(a) before the starting day, the Commission decided that it was, or was not, a complaint within the meaning of the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA; and

(b) on or after the starting day, the Court makes an order under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 to refer the matter to which the decision relates to the Commission for further consideration.

(2) On the day on which the order is made:

(a) the purported complaint is taken to have been lodged under section 46P of the new HREOCA; and

(b) the Commission must then decide whether it is a complaint within the meaning of the new HREOCA.

7 Complaint lodged but Commissioner not notified of it

(1) A purported complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if, before the starting day:

(a) it was lodged with the Commission; and

(b) the Commission decided that it was a complaint within the meaning of the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA; and

(2) On the starting day:

(a) the purported complaint is taken to have been lodged under section 46P of the new HREOCA; and

(b) the Commission is taken to have decided that it is a complaint within the meaning of the new HREOCA.

8 Commissioner notified of complaint but had not decided to dismiss or refer it

(1) A complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if, before the starting day:

(a) the Commission had notified the appropriate Commissioner of the complaint; and

(b) the appropriate Commissioner had not made a decision not to inquire, or not to continue to inquire, into the complaint; and

(2) On the starting day, the complaint is taken to have been referred to the President under section 46PD of the new HREOCA.

9 Commissioner decided to dismiss complaint

(1) A complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if:

(a) before the starting day, the appropriate Commissioner decided not to inquire, or not to continue to inquire, into the complaint; and

(b) on the starting day, the complainant could have required the appropriate Commissioner to:

(i) refer the complaint to the President under section 71 of the old DDA if that section had not been repealed by this Act; or

(ii) refer the Commissioner's decision to the President, or refer the complaint to the Commission, under section 24 of the old RDA if that section had not been repealed by this Act; or

(iii) refer the Commissioner's decision to the President, or refer the complaint to the Commission, under section 52 of the old SDA if that section had not been repealed by this Act.

(2) On the starting day, the President is taken to have terminated the complaint under section 46PH of the new HREOCA.

Note: The President is required to give a notice of termination of the complaint under section 14 of this Act.

10 Presidential review of Commissioner's decision to dismiss complaint

(1) A complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if, before the starting day:

(a) the appropriate Commissioner decided not to inquire, or not to continue to inquire, into the complaint; and

(b) the complainant required the appropriate Commissioner to refer the complaint, or the Commissioner's decision, to the President; and

(i) section 101 of the old DDA;

(ii) section 24AA of the old RDA;

(iii) section 52A of the old SDA.

(2) On the starting day, the President is taken to have terminated the complaint under section 46PH of the new HREOCA.

Note: The President is required to give a notice of termination of the complaint under section 14 of this Act.

11 Administrative review of President's decision

(1) A complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if:

(a) before the starting day, the President made a decision in relation to the complaint under:

(i) section 101 of the old DDA; or

(ii) section 24AA of the old RDA; or

(iii) section 52A of the old SDA; and

(2) On the day the order is made, the President is taken to have terminated the complaint under section 46PH of the new HREOCA.

Note: The President is required to give a notice of termination of the complaint under section 14 of this Act.

12 Complaint referred to Commission but inquiry not started

(1) A complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if, before the starting day:

(a) the appropriate Commissioner referred the complaint to the Commission; and

(b) a holding of an inquiry into the complaint had not started under the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA; and

(i) section 79 of the old DDA;

(ii) section 25A of the old RDA;

(iii) section 59 of the old SDA.

(2) On the starting day, the President is taken to have terminated the complaint under section 46PH of the new HREOCA.

Note: The President is required to give a notice of termination of the complaint under section 14 of this Act.

13 Inquiry started

(1) A complaint is treated in the way set out in subsection (2) if, before the starting day:

(a) a holding of an inquiry into the complaint had started under the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA; and

(b) the complaint had not been withdrawn under whichever of the following sections is applicable:

(i) section 79 of the old DDA;

(ii) section 25A of the old RDA;

(iii) section 59 of the old SDA.

(2) The amendments made by Schedule 1 to this Act do not apply in relation to the complaint.

14 Notice of termination

(1) If the President is taken to have terminated a complaint under section 9, 10, 11 or 12, then the President must notify the complainants in writing of the termination and the reasons for the termination.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if all the complainants requested the appropriate Commissioner not to inquire into the complaint.

(3) The President must give a person a copy of the notice that was given to the complainants under subsection (1) if:

(a) the person was a person on whose behalf the complaint was lodged; and

(b) the person requested the President for a copy of the notice.

(4) The President is not required to notify any person under section 46PH of the new HREOCA.

15 Work done by Commissioner is taken to have been done by President

Any thing done, or information obtained, by the appropriate Commissioner in relation to a complaint that is referred to the President under section 8 is taken to have been done or obtained by the President.

16 Special rules apply to proceedings to enforce a determination

Sections 46PQ, 46PR and 46PT of the new HREOCA apply for the purposes of proceedings in the Court:

(a) for an order to enforce a determination in relation to a complaint; or

(b) for an order directing a Commonwealth agency (or the principal executive of a Commonwealth agency) to comply;

if the proceedings started on or after the starting day under:

(d) section 25ZC or 25ZI of the old RDA; or

(e) section 83A or 84F of the old SDA.

17 Protection from civil actions

The amendments made by items 30, 31, 83, 84, 119 and 120 of Schedule 1 do not apply to a complaint lodged before the starting day under the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA.

18 Referrals under the old SDA

The amendments made by items 1, 2, 85, 86, 97, 100, 122, 123, 124 and 125 of Schedule 1 do not apply to a complaint lodged before the starting day under section 50A, 50C or 50E of the old SDA.

19 Inquiries started by Human Rights Commissioner

The amendment made by item 52 of Schedule 1 does not apply in relation to an inquiry that the Human Rights Commissioner started before the starting day.

20 When a person cannot lodge a complaint under the new HREOCA

A person cannot lodge a complaint under section 46P of the new HREOCA if:

(a) the person is a class member for a representative complaint in respect of the same subject matter; and

(b) a holding of an inquiry into the representative complaint had started under the old DDA, old RDA or old SDA.

21 Regulations

(1) The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters:

(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2) In particular, regulations may be made in relation to matters of a transitional or saving nature arising out of the enactment of this Act.

22 Transitional--powers of a Secretary

A thing done by the Commission before the commencement of this section in exercising powers referred to in subsection 43(2) of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986 has effect, for the purpose of the exercise by the President after the commencement of this section of powers referred to in that subsection, as if the thing had been done by the President.

Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000 (No. 137, 2000)

Schedule 2

418 Transitional--pre-commencement offences

(1) Despite the amendment or repeal of a provision by this Schedule, that provision continues to apply, after the commencement of this item, in relation to:

(a) an offence committed before the commencement of this item; or

(b) proceedings for an offence alleged to have been committed before the commencement of this item; or

as if the amendment or repeal had not been made.

(2) Subitem (1) does not limit the operation of section 8 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

419 Transitional--pre-commencement notices

If:

(a) a provision in force immediately before the commencement of this item required that a notice set out the effect of one or more other provisions; and

(b) any or all of those other provisions are repealed by this Schedule; and

the amendment of the first-mentioned provision by this Schedule does not affect the validity of such a notice that was given before the commencement of this item.

Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 (No. 24, 2001)

4 Application of amendments

(1) Subject to subsection (3), each amendment made by this Act applies to acts and omissions that take place after the amendment commences.

(2) For the purposes of this section, if an act or omission is alleged to have taken place between 2 dates, one before and one on or after the day on which a particular amendment commences, the act or omission is alleged to have taken place before the amendment commences.

Acts Interpretation Amendment Act 2011 (No. 46, 2011)

Schedule 3

10 Saving--appointments

The amendments made by Schedule 2 do not affect the validity of an appointment that was made under an Act before the commencement of this item and that was in force immediately before that commencement.

11 Transitional regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to the amendments and repeals made by Schedules 1 and 2.

Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
7. Schedule 2, items 23 to 28	The later of: (a) immediately after the commencement of the Age Discrimination Act 2004; and (b) immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Act 2004

Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975 - NOTES