Catchwords:

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW – Statutory construction – Relevant considerations – Gaming Machines Act 2001 (NSW) ss 39-40 – Application for reduction of mandatory shutdown period – Whether Authority misconstrued Ministerial Guideline – Whether the term “venues” in the Ministerial Guideline encompassed the singular – Whether Authority was wrong to reject application

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION — Interpretation Act 1987 (NSW) s 8(c) — Whether the Interpretation Act applies to Ministerial Guideline — Interplay between common law rules on statutory interpretation and drafters of legislative instruments — Courts drawing inferences as to likely intentions of drafters — Whether the plural encompasses the singular