Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated ActsNo. 52, 1975
Compilation No. 17
Compilation date: 10 December 2015
Includes amendments up to: Act No. 145, 2015
Registered: 29 January 2016
About this compilation
This compilation
This is a compilation of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 10 December 2015 (the compilation date).
This compilation was prepared on 21 January 2016.
The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.
Uncommenced amendments
The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on ComLaw (www.comlaw.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on ComLaw for the compiled law.
Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments
If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.
Modifications
If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on ComLaw for the compiled law.
Self-repealing provisions
If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.
Contents
Part I--Preliminary 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 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....................................................... 12
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................................................. 15
Part III--Race Discrimination Commissioner and functions of Commission 16
Division 1--Preliminary 16
19.......... Race Discrimination Commissioner.................................................. 16
20.......... Functions of Commission................................................................. 16
Part IV--Offences 17
26.......... Unlawful acts not offences unless expressly so provided................. 17
27.......... Offences relating to administration of Act......................................... 17
27F........ Non-disclosure of private information.............................................. 18
Part VI--Race Discrimination Commissioner 21
29.......... Appointment of Race Discrimination Commissioner........................ 21
30.......... Terms and conditions of appointment............................................... 21
31.......... Remuneration of Commissioner........................................................ 21
32.......... Leave of absence............................................................................... 21
33.......... Resignation....................................................................................... 22
34.......... Termination of appointment.............................................................. 22
35.......... Outside employment......................................................................... 22
36.......... Acting Commissioner....................................................................... 22
40.......... Delegation......................................................................................... 23
Part VII--Miscellaneous 24
44.......... Jurisdiction........................................................................................ 24
45.......... Protection from civil actions.............................................................. 24
45A....... Commissioner to furnish information............................................... 25
47.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 25
Schedule--International Convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination 26
Endnotes 41
Endnote 1--About the endnotes 41
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key 42
Endnote 3--Legislation history 43
Endnote 4--Amendment history 48
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:
The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.
The following endnotes are included in every compilation:
Endnote 1--About the endnotes
Endnote 2--Abbreviation key
Endnote 3--Legislation history
Endnote 4--Amendment history
Endnotes about misdescribed amendments and other matters are included in a compilation only as necessary.
Abbreviation key--Endnote 2
The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.
Legislation history and amendment history--Endnotes 3 and 4
Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.
The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.
The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.
Misdescribed amendments
A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation "(md)" added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation "(md not incorp)" is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.
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A = Act |
o = order(s) |
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ad = added or inserted |
Ord = Ordinance |
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am = amended |
orig = original |
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amdt = amendment |
par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s) |
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c = clause(s) |
/sub-subparagraph(s) |
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C[x] = Compilation No. x |
pres = present |
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Ch = Chapter(s) |
prev = previous |
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def = definition(s) |
(prev ... ) = previously |
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Dict = Dictionary |
Pt = Part(s) |
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disallowed = disallowed by Parliament |
r = regulation(s)/rule(s) |
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Div = Division(s) |
Reg = Regulation/Regulations |
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exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have |
reloc = relocated |
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effect |
renum = renumbered |
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F = Federal Register of Legislative Instruments |
rep = repealed |
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gaz = gazette |
rs = repealed and substituted |
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LI = Legislative Instrument |
s = section(s)/subsection(s) |
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Sch = Schedule(s) |
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(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given |
Sdiv = Subdivision(s) |
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effect |
SLI = Select Legislative Instrument |
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(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment |
SR = Statutory Rules |
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cannot be given effect |
Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s) |
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mod = modified/modification |
SubPt = Subpart(s) |
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No. = Number(s) |
underlining = whole or part not |
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commenced or to be commenced |
Endnote 3--Legislation history
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Act |
Number and year |
Assent |
Commencement |
Application, saving and transitional provisions |
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52, 1975 |
11 June 1975 |
ss. 1, 2 and 7: Royal Assent |
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91, 1976 |
20 Sept 1976 |
s. 3: (a) |
s. 4 |
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18, 1980 |
23 Apr 1980 |
10 Dec 1981 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1981, No. G49, |
-- |
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as amended by |
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25, 1981 |
14 Apr 1981 |
10 Dec 1981 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1981, No. G49, |
-- |
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38, 1983 |
19 June 1983 |
19 June 1983 |
-- |
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126, 1986 |
6 Dec 1986 |
10 Dec 1986 (see s. 2 and Gazette 1986, No. S631) |
ss. 31-34 |
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38, 1988 |
3 June 1988 |
ss. 3 and 5(1): Royal Assent |
s. 5(1) |
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115, 1990 |
21 Dec 1990 |
s. 49: Royal Assent |
-- |
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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) |
-- |
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165, 1992 |
11 Dec 1992 |
s. 3(2): Royal Assent |
s. 3(2) |
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Sex Discrimination and other Legislation Amendment Act 1992 |
179, 1992 |
16 Dec 1992 |
13 Jan 1993 |
ss. 2(2) and 4 |
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13, 1994 |
18 Jan 1994 |
Part 4 (ss. 17-20): Royal Assent |
s. 18(2) |
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59, 1995 |
28 June 1995 |
ss. 4, 5 and Schedule (items 5, 6, 28-30): Royal Assent |
ss. 4 and 5 |
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101, 1995 |
15 Sept 1995 |
13 Oct 1995 |
-- |
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43, 1996 |
25 Oct 1996 |
Schedule 5 (items 133, 134): Royal Assent |
-- |
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133, 1999 |
13 Oct 1999 |
ss. 4-20 and Schedule 1 (items 63-84): 13 Apr 2000 |
ss. 4-22 |
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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) |
-- |
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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) |
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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) |
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40, 2004 |
21 Apr 2004 |
Schedule 2 (item 27): (c) |
-- |
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73, 2008 |
3 July 2008 |
Schedule 4 (items 426-435): 4 July 2008 |
-- |
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Disability Discrimination and Other Human Rights Legislation Amendment Act 2009 |
70, 2009 |
8 July 2009 |
Schedule 3 (items 60-70, |
-- |
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46, 2011 |
27 June 2011 |
Schedule 2 (items 968, 969) and Schedule 3 (items 10, 11): 27 Dec 2011 |
Sch. 3 (items 10, 11) |
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Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Act 2012 |
169, 2012 |
3 Dec 2012 |
Schedule 2 (items 191, 192): 3 Dec 2012 (see s. 2(1)) |
-- |
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Charities (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2013 |
96, 2013 |
28 June 2013 |
Sch 1 (item 38): 1 Jan 2014 (see s 2(1)) |
-- |
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145, 2015 |
12 Nov 2015 |
Sch 3 (item 33): 10 Dec 2015 (s 2(1) item 7) |
-- |
(a) The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 was amended by section 3 only of the Administrative Changes (Consequential Provisions) Act 1976, subsection 2(7) of which provides as follows:
(7) The amendments of each other Act specified in the Schedule made by this Act shall be deemed to have come into operation on 22 December 1975.
(b) The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 was amended by Schedule 43 only of the Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001, subsection 2(1)(a) of which provides as follows:
(1) Subject to this section, this Act commences at the later of the following times:
(a) immediately after the commencement of item 15 of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Code Amendment (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Act 2000;
Item 15 commenced on 24 May 2001.
(c) Subsection 2(1) (item 7) of the Age Discrimination (Consequential Provisions) Act 2004 provides as follows:
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.
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Commencement information |
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Column 1 |
Column 2 |
Column 3 |
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Provision(s) |
Commencement |
Date/Details |
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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 |
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The Australian Human Rights Commission Legislation Bill 2004 was not enacted. Therefore the amendment made by Schedule 2 (item 27) did not commence.
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Provision affected |
How affected |
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Part I |
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s 2........................................... |
am No 91, 1976; No 126, 1986 |
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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; No 169, 2012 |
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s 4........................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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s 6........................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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rs No 126, 1986; No 145, 2015 |
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s 6A......................................... |
ad No 38, 1983 |
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am No 126, 1986; No 133, 1999; No 70, 2009 |
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s 6B......................................... |
ad No 24, 2001 |
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Part II |
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s 8........................................... |
am No 169, 2012; No 96, 2013 |
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s 9........................................... |
am No 115, 1990 |
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s 10......................................... |
am No 18, 1980; No 126, 1986 |
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s 11......................................... |
am No 43, 1996 |
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s 12......................................... |
am No 126, 1986 |
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s 13......................................... |
am No 43, 1996 |
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s 15......................................... |
am No 126, 1986; No 43, 1996 |
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s 16......................................... |
am No 126, 1986 |
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s 18......................................... |
rs No 115, 1990 |
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s 18A....................................... |
ad No 115, 1990 |
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Part IIA |
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Part IIA ................................... |
ad No 101, 1995 |
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s 18B....................................... |
ad No 101, 1995 |
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s 18C....................................... |
ad No 101, 1995 |
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am No 133, 1999; No 70, 2009 |
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s 18D-18F............................... |
ad No 101, 1995 |
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Part III |
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Part III heading........................ |
rs No 133, 1999 |
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Part III..................................... |
rs No 126, 1986 |
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Division 1 |
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s 19......................................... |
rs No 126, 1986 |
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s 19A....................................... |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 20......................................... |
am No 18, 1980 (as am by No 25, 1981) |
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rs No 126, 1986 |
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am No 101, 1995; No 133, 1999; No 70, 2009 |
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s 20A....................................... |
ad No 18, 1980 |
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rep No 126, 1986 |
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s 21......................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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rs No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 22......................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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rs No 126, 1986 |
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am No 179, 1992; No 101, 1995 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 23......................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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rs No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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Division 2................................ |
rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 24......................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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rs No 126, 1986 |
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am No 38, 1988; No 165, 1992; No 101, 1995 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 24AA, 24AB......................... |
ad No 165, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 24A-24E.............................. |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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Division 3................................ |
rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 24F....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25......................................... |
rs No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25A-25H.............................. |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25J, 25K............................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25L, 25M.............................. |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rs No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25MA................................... |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25N....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25P....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rs No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25Q-25U.............................. |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25V....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25W, 25X............................. |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 101, 1995 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25Y....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25Z....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 38, 1988; No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25ZA.................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 165, 1992 |
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rs No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25ZAA.................................. |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 59, 1995 |
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s 25ZAB.................................. |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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am No 13, 1994 |
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rep No 59, 1995 |
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s 25ZAC.................................. |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 59, 1995 |
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s 25ZB..................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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Division 3A............................. |
ad No 59, 1995 |
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s 25ZC..................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 179, 1992; No 13, 1994 |
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rs No 59, 1995 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 25ZCA-25ZCF..................... |
ad No 59, 1995 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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Division 4................................ |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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s 25ZD-25ZI........................... |
ad No 179, 1992 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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Part IV |
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s 26......................................... |
am No 101, 1995 |
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s 27......................................... |
am No 18, 1980; No 126, 1986; No 133, 1999; No 24, 2001; No 70, 2009 |
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s 27A-27D.............................. |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 133, 1999 |
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s 27E....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 133, 1999 |
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rep No 137, 2000 |
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s 27F....................................... |
ad No 126, 1986 |
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am No 24, 2001; No 70, 2009 |
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Part V...................................... |
rep No 70, 2009 |
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s 28......................................... |
am No 91, 1976; No 18, 1980; No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 70, 2009 |
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Part VI |
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Part VI heading........................ |
rs No 70, 2009 |
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Division 1 heading................... |
rs No 126, 1986 |
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rep No 70, 2009 |
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s 29......................................... |
rs No 126, 1986 |
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am No 59, 1995; No 70, 2009 |
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s 30......................................... |
rs No 126, 1986 |
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am No 133, 1999 |
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s 31......................................... |
am No 126, 1986; No 59, 1995 |
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s 32......................................... |
am No 91, 1976 |
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rs No 132, 1992 |
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am No 146, 1999 |
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s 33......................................... |
am No 126, 1986 |
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s 34......................................... |
am No 91, 1976; No 126, 1986; No 132, 1992 |
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s 35......................................... |
am No 91, 1976; No 126, 1986 |
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s 36......................................... |
am No 91, 1976; No 126, 1986; No 132, 1992; No 13, 1994; No 46, 2011 |
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s 37......................................... |
rep No 126, 1986 |
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s 38......................................... |
rep No 18, 1980 |
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s 39......................................... |
rep No 126, 1986 |
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s 40......................................... |
rs No 18, 1980 |
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am No 126, 1986; No 132, 1992 |
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Division 2................................ |
rep No 70, 2009 |
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s 41......................................... |
am No 91, 1976; No 126, 1986; No 73, 2008 |
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rep No 70, 2009 |
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s 42......................................... |
am No 126, 1986; No 59, 1995 |
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rep No 70, 2009 |
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s 43......................................... |
am No 126, 1986; No 73, 2008 |
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rep No 70, 2009 |
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Part VII |
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s 44A....................................... |
ad No 18, 1980 |
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rep No 126, 1986 |
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s 45......................................... |
am No 18, 1980 |
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rep No 126, 1986 |
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ad No 38, 1988 |
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am No 133, 1999; No 70, 2009 |
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s 45A....................................... |
ad No 18, 1980 |
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am No 126, 1986 |
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s 46......................................... |
am No 91, 1976 |
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rep No 18, 1980 |
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s 47......................................... |
am No 126, 1986; No 70, 2009 |