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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2025
The modern approach to statutory construction guides the judiciary, the legal profession, litigants, and academics in interpreting the myriad legislative provisions in Australian law. Yet what if critical sections have been construed in ways that are irreconcilable with the basic rules of modern statutory interpretation? One of the most important commercial statutes in the country is the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). This article exposes one instance of misinterpretation in respect of that statute, contained in a decision of a unanimous Full Court of the Supreme Court of Victoria, and makes proposals for resolving such quandaries.
The author acknowledges Associate Professor Kristin van Zwieten, University of Oxford, for her ongoing guidance and advice in supervising the dissertation which is the source of this article. The author is also grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their comments in respect of an earlier draft of this article.
1 [2014] VSCA 143 (1 July 2014) (‘Tabcorp’).
2 Ibid [101].
3 Ibid (citations omitted).
4 Ibid [102].
5 Latin maxim ignorantia juris non excusat. See also Watson v Lee (1979) 144 CLR 374, 408 (Mason J).
6 International Finance Trust Co Ltd v New South Wales Crime Commission (2009) 240 CLR 319, 349 [42] (French CJ), quoted in Tabcorp [2014] VSCA 143 (1 July 2014) [102].
7 See Michael, Kirby, ‘Statutory Interpretation: The Meaning of Meaning’ (2011) 35 Melbourne University Law Review 113, 116Google Scholar; Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission v May (2016) 257 CLR 468, 473 [10] (French CJ, Kiefel, Nettle and Gordon JJ); North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency Ltd v Northern Territory (2015) 256 CLR 569, 581 [11] (French CJ, Kiefel and Bell JJ).
8 Baker v Campbell (1983) 153 CLR 52, 104 (Brennan J).
9 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) Part 5.3A.
10 It is also authoritative on s 447A, which gives courts the power to order how Part 5.3A is to operate in relation to a particular company: see, eg, Re Keneally as administrator of Australian Blue Mountain International Cultural & Tourist Group Pty Ltd (admin apptd) (2015) 107 ACSR 172, 210 [109] (Black J); Re James as Administrator of ZYL Ltd [2015] WASC 57 (15 January 2015) [9] (Master Sanderson).
11 [1996] 1 VR 24 (‘Brash Holdings’).
12 Ibid 34.
13 (2009) 239 CLR 27, 46–7 [47] (citations omitted) (emphasis added) (‘Alcan’).
14 (2012) 250 CLR 503, 519 [39] (citations omitted) (emphasis added) (‘Consolidated Media’).
15 See, eg, Caratti v Mammoth Investments Pty Ltd (2016) 50 WAR 84, 171 [389] (Buss JA), 197 [526] (Newnes and Murphy JJA); Hoy v Coffs Harbour City Council (2016) 218 LGERA 411, 424–5 [52] (Bathurst CJ, with whom Simpson and Payne JJA agreed); Bigg v SAS Trustee Corp [2016] NSWCA 236 (1 September 2016) [31]–[33] (Beazley ACJ, Basten and Macfarlan JJA); Nicholson v Victorian WorkCover Authority [2016] VSCA 146 (24 June 2016) [19] (Osborn, Beach and McLeish JJA); Thiess v Collector of Customs (2014) 250 CLR 664, 671 [22] (French CJ, Hayne, Kiefel, Gageler and Keane JJ).
16 D C, Pearce and R S, Geddes, Statutory Interpretation in Australia (8th ed, LexisNexis, 2014) 146Google Scholar [4.2]. See also, eg, Kirby, above n 7, 116.
17 See above n 7.
18 Chief JusticeJ J, Spigelman, ‘The Intolerable Wrestle: Developments in Statutory Interpretation’ (2010) 84 Australian Law Journal 822, 828Google Scholar.
19 Ibid 829.
20 Alphapharm Pty Ltd v H Lundbeck A/S (2014) 254 CLR 247, 265–6 [42] (Crennan, Bell and Gageler JJ) (citations omitted).
21 See, eg, Tabcorp Holdings Ltd v Victoria (2016) 328 ALR 375, 378 [8] (French CJ, Kiefel, Bell, Keane and Gordon JJ); Coast Ward Ratepayers Association (Inc) v Town of Cambridge [2016] WASC 239 (9 August 2016) [56] (Pritchard J); Kidd v State of Western Australia [2015] WASCA 62 (26 March 2015) [3], [26], [53], [67]–[68] (Martin CJ, Newnes and Murphy JJA agreeing); Rail Corporation New South Wales v Brown (2012) 82 NSWLR 318, 329 [39]–[40] (Bathurst CJ, Beazley and Basten JJA agreeing); Australasian Correctional Management v Francis [2002] WASCA 74 (8 April 2002) [5] (Anderson, Wheeler and Miller JJ).
22 Alcan (2009) 239 CLR 27, 31–2 [4]–[5] (emphasis added).
23 Ibid [48] (Hayne, Heydon, Crennan and Kiefel JJ).
24 Ibid [53] (emphasis added). See also ibid [45].
25 Commissioner for ACT Revenue v Dataflex Pty Ltd (2011) 5 ACTLR 271, [42] (citations omitted). See also, eg, GrainCorp Operations Ltd v Liverpool Plains Shire Council (2013) 194 LGERA 83, 96 [75] (Ward JA, Beazley P and Sackville AJA agreeing); Pearce and Geddes, above n 16, 154 [4.8].
26 Firebird Global Master Fund II Ltd v Republic of Nauru (2015) 258 CLR 31, 86–7 [190] (Nettle and Gordon JJ), citing Registrar of Titles (WA) v Franzon (1975) 132 CLR 611, 618 (Mason J). See also, eg, Tabcorp Holdings Ltd v Victoria (2016) 328 ALR 375, 388–9 [65] (French CJ, Kiefel, Bell, Keane and Gordon JJ).
27 Re Alcan Australia Ltd; Ex parte Federation of Industrial, Manufacturing and Engineering Employees (1994) 181 CLR 96, 106 (citations omitted). See also, eg, Fortress Credit Corporation (Australia) II Pty Ltd v Fletcher (2015) 254 CLR 489, 502–3 [15] (French CJ, Hayne, Kiefel, Gageler and Keane JJ).
28 BE Australia WD Pty Ltd v Sutton (2011) 82 NSWLR 336, 363 [105] (Campbell JA, McColl and Young JJA agreeing) (‘Sutton’). See also [107].
29 [1982] 2 NSWLR 563, 566. Cf Re Southern Australia Perpetual Forests Ltd [1971] VR 475, 478 (Menhennitt J); Bond Corporation Holdings Ltd v Western Australia (No 2) (1992) 7 WAR 61, 68 (Anderson J).
30 See, eg, Entwisle v Minken Pty Ltd (receivers and managers appointed) (2013) 97 ACSR 361, 379 [111] fn 29 (Elliott J); Australian Executor Trustees Ltd v Provident Capital Ltd (No 3) [2012] FCA 1253 (12 November 2012) [29] (Rares J); Re Glencore Nickel Pty Ltd (2003) 44 ACSR 210, 218–19 [50] (McLure J).
31 See National Australia Bank Ltd v Market Holdings Pty Ltd (2000) 50 NSWLR 465, 469 [19] (Young J); Australian Gypsum Industries Pty Ltd v Dalesun Holdings Pty Ltd (2015) 297 FLR 1, 35 [177] n 15 (Newnes and Murphy JJA) (‘Australian Gypsum’). See also Brash Holdings [1996] 1 VR 24, 31–3.
32 The words ‘as at’ frequently appear in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). See especially s 554(1): ‘The amount of a debt or claim of a company … is to be computed for the purposes of the winding up as at the relevant date’ (emphasis added).
33 (1998) 194 CLR 355, [71] (citations omitted) (‘Project Blue Sky’).
34 Kotsambasis v Singapore Airlines Ltd (1997) 42 NSWLR 110, 114 (Meagher JA), citing Randwick Municipal Council v Rutledge (1959) 102 CLR 54, 94 (Windeyer J).
35 See also James, O’Donovan, ‘Commentary—A Reply to Lam Soon: Lessors and deeds of company arrangement’ (1998) 6 Insolvency Law Journal 15, 16Google Scholar: ‘There is no doubt that the lessor was a contingent creditor … But that is not, in itself, sufficient to bind the lessor to the deed. Under s 444D(1), a contingent creditor's claim must also have arisen on or before that date.’
36 C, Yallop et al (eds), Macquarie Dictionary (Macquarie, 4th ed, 2005) 70Google Scholar. See also JA, Simpson and ESC, Weiner (eds), The Oxford English Dictionary (Clarendon, 2nd ed, 1989) vol 1, 628–9Google Scholar.
37 See, eg, GrainCorp Operations Ltd v Liverpool Plains Shire Council (2013) 194 LGERA 83, 96 [75] (Ward JA, Beazley P and Sackville AJA agreeing), citing House of Peace v Bankstown City Council (2000) 48 NSWLR 498, 504–5 [25]–[29] (Mason P); NBN Co Ltd v Pipe Networks Pty Ltd (2015) 295 FLR 256, 270 [91] (Kunc J).
38 [2012] NSWCA 99 (20 April 2012) [74] (emphasis added).
39 See also, eg, Diploma Construction (WA) Pty Ltd v KPA Architects Pty Ltd [2014] WASCA 91 (24 April 2014) [65] (Pullin JA); Almario v Varipatis (No 2) [2012] NSWSC 1578 (21 December 2012) [211] (Campbell J); Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Letten (No 20) (2012) 92 ACSR 630, 640 [24] (Gordon J); Syme v Commonwealth (1942) 66 CLR 413, 429 (Williams J).
40 (2004) 22 ACLC 667, 675 [37] (emphasis added) (‘Expile’).
41 See, eg, Australian Gypsum (2015) 297 FLR 1, 18 [72] (Buss JA); Sutton (2011) 82 NSWLR 336, 364–5 [111] (Campbell JA); Willersdorf-Greene v Commissioner of Taxation [2009] AATA 649 (28 August 2009) [79] (Deputy President Forgie); Re Australian Style Investments Pty Ltd (2009) 23 VR 253, 294 [216] (Robson J); Environmental & Earth Sciences Pty Ltd v Vouris (2006) 152 FCR 510, 531 [89] (Graham J); McDonald v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (2005) 187 FLR 461, 474 [43] (Barrett J).
42 (2013) 213 FCR 261, 272 [40] (emphasis added).
43 See, eg, Edwards v Attorney General (2004) 60 NSWLR 667, 679 [59] (Young CJ in Eq); Federal Commissioner of Taxation v Gosstray [1986] VR 876, 878 (Tadgell J).
44 See, eg, Bryan, A Garner, Garner's Dictionary of Legal Usage (Oxford, 3rd ed, 2011) 77Google Scholar (emphasis in original): ‘In reference to causes of action, some courts have held that accrue and arise are synonymous, others that they can be distinguished. Arise may refer to the onset of the underlying wrong (e.g., exposure to asbestos), whereas accrue may refer to the ripeness of the claim …’
45 See, eg, Lam Soon Australia Pty Ltd v Molit (No 55) Pty Ltd (1996) 70 FCR 34, 42, 44 (von Doussa, O’Loughlin and Lehane JJ); O’Donovan, above n 35, 17; Michael, Quinlan et al, ‘“Circumstances Giving Rise” to a Claim: When is a Creditor Not a Creditor?’ (2012) 30 Company & Securities Law Journal 188, 190Google Scholar.
46 See, eg, Conquest v Bundaberg Regional Council [2016] QCA 203 (19 August 2016) [15] (Fraser JA, Philip McMurdo JA and Daubney J agreeing); Cassar v New South Wales Crime Commission (2014) 87 NSWLR 683, 692 [30] (Bathurst CJ, Beazley P and Emmett JA); Griffiths v Trustees of the Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Fund [2012] NSWCA 231 (3 August 2012) [10] (Meagher JA, McColl and Campbell JJA agreeing).
47 Consolidated Media (2012) 250 CLR 503, 519 [39] (French CJ, Hayne, Crennan, Bell and Gageler JJ).
48 Scott v Commercial Hotel Merbein Pty Ltd [1930] VLR 25, 30 (Irvine CJ, Macfarlan and Lowe JJ agreeing). See also Secure Parking Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (Vic) [2016] VSC 344 (21 June 2016) [72] (Ginnane J); Baini v The Queen (2012) 246 CLR 469, 487 [43] (Gageler J). Cf Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) as at 1 January 2005, s 15AC: ‘ideas shall not be taken to be different merely because different forms of words were used’ to express them in other statutes.
49 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 553(1). See, eg, Expile (2004) 22 ACLC 667, 673 [25] (Palmer J).
50 Re Confidential and Commissioner of Taxation (2012) 127 ALD 353, 366 [49] (Senior Member Fice). See also Saraceni v Jones (2012) 42 WAR 518, 545–6 [136]–[140] (McLure P).
51 Corporate Law Reform Act 1992 (Cth) s 56.
52 (2005) 187 FLR 461, 472 [36].
53 Ibid (emphasis added).
54 See ibid 472–3 [37]–[38].
55 Ibid [37] (emphasis added). See also James, O’Donovan, ‘Which Claims are Admissible under Deeds of Company Arrangement?’ (1995) 69 Australian Law Journal 905, 920Google Scholar.
56 [1995] 2 Qd R 128, 132 (‘Daydream Island’).
57 Ibid 134 (emphasis added).
58 Ibid 133.
59 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) ss 5C(2)–(3); Legislative Instruments (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2003 (Cth) s 2(1) states the date of 1 January 2005. See also Chen v The College of Building Ltd [2015] ACTSC 19 (18 February 2015) [20] (Penfold J); Re Futre Developments Pty Ltd (2014) 292 FLR 256, 263 [40] (Robb J).
60 Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) as at 1 January 2005, s 15AB(1)(a) (emphasis added). See also s 15AB(3)(a).
61 Ibid ss 15AB(1)(b)(i)–(ii) (emphasis added).
62 Law Reform Commission, General Insolvency Inquiry, Report No 45 (1988).
63 Explanatory Memorandum, Corporate Law Reform Bill 1992 (Cth) [21].
64 R v Sharma (2002) 54 NSWLR 300, 312–313 [55] (Spigelman CJ, Mason P, Barr, Bell and McClellan JJ agreeing).
65 See Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) as at 1 January 2005, s 15AB(2).
66 Explanatory Memorandum, Corporate Law Reform Bill 1992 (Cth) [585].
67 See especially Law Reform Commission, General Insolvency Inquiry, Report No 45 (1988) [58], [119].
68 Sutton (2011) 82 NSWLR 336, 363 [105] (Campbell JA).
69 Law Reform Commission, General Insolvency Inquiry, Report No 45 (1988) app A 21.
70 (1993) 30 NSWLR 556, 565.
71 Ibid 568.
72 It should be recalled that the AIA is defined to mean the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) as in force on 1 January 2005. Section 15AA of the current Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) is worded differently.
73 Clement v Australian Bureau of Statistics [2016] FCA 948 (12 August 2016) [24] (Katzmann J).
74 (2012) 248 CLR 378, 405 [70] (citations omitted) (‘Cross’). See also 411–12 [88] (Kiefel J); Project Blue Sky (1998) 194 CLR 355, 381 [69] (McHugh, Gummow, Kirby and Hayne JJ).
75 Cross (2012) 248 CLR 378, 389 [25] (emphasis added), citing Lacey v Attorney-General (Qld) (2011) 242 CLR 573, 592 [44].
76 Cross (2012) 248 CLR 378, 390 [26] (French CJ and Hayne J), citing Palgo Holdings Pty Ltd v Gowans (2005) 221 CLR 249, 262 [28]; Byrnes v Kendle (2011) 243 CLR 253, 283 [97]. See also 395 [41] (French CJ and Hayne J), 412 [89] (Kiefel J); Deal v Father Pius Kodakkathanath (2016) 258 CLR 281, 295 [37] (French CJ, Kiefel, Bell and Nettle JJ); Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations v Gribbles Radiology Pty Ltd (2005) 222 CLR 194, 208 [21] (Gleeson CJ, Hayne, Callinan and Heydon JJ).
77 James, O’Donovan, ‘The Harmer Reforms: Arranged Marriages and Extended Honeymoons’ (1995) 8 Corporate & Business Law Journal 101, 102Google Scholar. See also Explanatory Memorandum, Corporate Law Reform Bill 1992 (Cth) [444]: under a DOCA ‘the company might be restored to financial health’ (emphasis added).
78 See, eg, Larkden Pty Ltd v Lloyd Energy Systems Pty Ltd (2011) 285 ALR 207, 214 [37] (Hammerschlag J).
79 Crema (Vic) Pty Ltd v Land Mark Property Developments (Vic) Pty Ltd (2006) 58 ACSR 631, 652 [141] (Dodds-Streeton J) regarding Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 95A. See also Rexel Electrical Supplies Pty Ltd v Morton (as liquidator of South East Queensland Machinery Manufacturing and Distribution (Mining No 1) (in liq)) (2015) 110 ACSR 341, 344 [8], 344 [10] (Fraser JA, Philippides JA and Ann Lyons J agreeing).
80 See, eg, Law Reform Commission, General Insolvency Inquiry, Report No 45 (1988) [777].
81 Fleet Broadband Holdings Pty Ltd v Paradox Digital Pty Ltd (2005) 228 ALR 598, 609 [62] (Master Newnes); Re Recycling Holdings Pty Ltd (2015) 107 ACSR 406, 426–7 [60]–[62], 428 [68]–[69] (Brereton J); Britax Childcare Pty Ltd, in the matter of Infa Products Pty Ltd v Infa Products Pty Ltd (Administrator Appointed) (2016) 115 ACSR 322, 346 [115] (Burley J).
82 Future claims are discounted at a fixed rate of 8% per annum: Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) reg 5.6.44; Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 554B.
83 See Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 554A.
84 See generally Wight v Eckhardt Marine GmbH [2004] 1 AC 147, [29], [33] (Lord Hoffmann); Lomas v Burlington Loan Management Ltd [2015] EWHC 2269 (Ch) (31 July 2015) [203] (David Richards J).
85 See generally Wight v Eckhardt Marine GmbH [2004] 1 AC 147, [32] (Lord Hoffmann); Thomas H Jackson, The Logic and Limits of Bankruptcy Law (Beard, 2001) 47.
86 Neil Hannan, ‘Shutting the Door: Voluntary Administration and Contingent Liabilities’ (1995) 69 Law Institute Journal 1007, 1007–9. See also Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 439A(3)(a); Re Ansett Australia Ltd (No 2) (2002) 115 FCR 395, 402 [25] (Goldberg J); Selim v McGrath (2003) 177 FLR 85, 104 [64], 106 [76] (Barrett J).
87 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 459D(1).
88 Ibid ss 459P(2)(a) and 462(4).
89 [1998] 4 VR 888, 889.
90 Commonwealth of Australia v Rocklea Spinning Mills Pty Ltd (2005) 145 FCR 220, 228 [26] (Finkelstein J).
91 Carr v Western Australia (2007) 232 CLR 138, 143 [7] (Gleeson CJ) (‘Carr’). See generally Explanatory Memorandum, Corporate Law Reform Bill 1992 (Cth) [448]–[450].
92 (2007) 232 CLR 138, 143 [5] (emphasis added). See, eg, Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union v Mammoet Australia Pty Ltd (2013) 248 CLR 619, 632–3 [40] (Crennan, Kiefel, Bell, Gageler and Keane JJ); Baytech Trades Pty Ltd v Coinvest Ltd [2015] VSCA 342 (17 December 2015) [57] (Maxwell P, Tate JA and John Dixon AJA).
93 Carr (2007) 232 CLR 138, 143 [6].
94 See generally Carr (2007) 232 CLR 138, 143 [7] (Gleeson CJ); Vero Insurance Ltd v Kassem (2011) 86 ACSR 607, 621 [81] (Campbell JA).
95 Australian Constitution s 51(xvii).
96 Ibid s 51(xxxi). See Re Dohnert Muller Schmidt & Co; Attorney-General (Cth) v Schmidt (1961) 105 CLR 361, 372 (Dixon CJ, Fullagar, Kitto, Taylor and Windeyer JJ agreeing); Airservices Australia v Canadian Airlines International Ltd (1999) 202 CLR 133, 195 [150] (Gaudron J).
97 (2009) 237 CLR 603, 619 [43] (emphasis added). See also 618–19 [40]–[42]; Mandurah Enterprises Pty Ltd v Western Australian Planning Commission (2010) 240 CLR 409, 420–1 [32] (French CJ, Gummow, Crennan and Bell JJ); Marshall v Director General Department of Transport (2001) 205 CLR 603, 623 (Gaudron J); Pearce and Geddes, above n 16, 231 [5.22].
98 Beech v Building Appeals Board [2005] VSC 231 (30 June 2005) [61] (Hargrave J), quoting Coco v The Queen (1994) 179 CLR 427, 437 (Mason CJ, Brennan, Gaudron and McHugh JJ). See, eg, Matthews v SPI Electricity Pty Ltd (Ruling No 31) [2013] VSC 575 (30 October 2013) [58]–[60] (J Forrest J); Owners Corporation PS 501391P v Balcombe [2016] VSC 384 (22 July 2016) [123](b) (Riordan J).
99 Comprising Brash Holdings Ltd (ACN 004 276 162), Brashs Pty Ltd (ACN 004 054 808), Electronic Imports Pty Ltd (ACN 007 315 782), Hi Fi Nominees Pty Ltd (ACN 005 074 733) and Allans Publishing Pty Ltd (ACN 004 231 298).
100 Brash Holdings Ltd v Katile Pty Ltd (1994) 13 ACSR 464, 464–7 (‘Katile’).
101 Brash Holdings [1996] 1 VR 24, 25.
102 Affidavit of Mr David John Beatty sworn 15 May 1994 (Supreme Court of Victoria, S CI 1994 5951), [20] (emphasis added), quoted in Katile (1994) 13 ACSR 464, 466.
103 Katile (1994) 13 ACSR 464, 468.
104 Ibid 468–9 (emphasis added).
105 Ibid 469 (emphasis added).
106 Ibid (emphasis added).
107 See ibid 468; Affidavit of Mr David John Beatty sworn 15 May 1994 (Supreme Court of Victoria, S CI 1994 5951), [21]–[22], quoted in ibid 466.
108 Katile (1994) 13 ACSR 464, 469.
109 Ibid.
110 Ibid.
111 Ibid.
112 Ibid.
113 Ibid.
114 Ibid; Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) reg 5.6.23(2)(c).
115 Corporations Regulations 2001 (Cth) reg 5.6.11(2)(a).
116 Ibid reg 5.6.23(1)(a).
117 Alphapharm Pty Ltd v H Lundbeck A/S (2014) 254 CLR 247, 264 [39] (citations omitted) (Crennan, Bell and Gageler JJ). See also BH Apartments Pty Ltd v Sutherland Nominees Pty Ltd (2015) 298 FLR 305, 315 [27] (Bell J).
118 Katile (1994) 13 ACSR 464, 469.
119 Ibid 470.
120 Ibid.
121 Brash Holdings [1996] 1 VR 24, 26.
122 Ibid 28.
123 Ibid 31.
124 Ibid 31–2.
125 Ibid 31.
126 Ibid 28–34.
127 Ibid 34 (emphasis added).
128 See above nn 52–5 and accompanying text.
129 Corporate Law Reform Act 1992 (Cth) ss 56 (enacted Part 5.3A) and 92 (substituted s 553).
130 Re Aucote and Samson Maritime Pty Ltd (2014) 63 AAR 418, 436 [74] (President Kerr), citing Scott v Commercial Hotel Merbein Pty Ltd [1930] VLR 25, 30. See also Bayley v The Queen (2013) 43 VR 335, 345–6 [47] (Warren CJ, Neave and Coghlan JJA); Prestcold (Central) Ltd v Minister of Labour [1969] 1 All ER 69, 75 (Lord Diplock).
131 Lygon Nominees Pty Ltd v Commissioner of State Revenue (2007) 23 VR 474, 482 [31] (Redlich JA, Ashley JA and Bell AJA agreeing); Rugs-A-Million (WA) Pty Ltd v Walker [2005] WASC 288 (21 December 2005) [58] (Master Newnes).
132 See above n 42 and accompanying text.
133 Brash Holdings [1996] 1 VR 24, 34 (emphasis added).
134 Ibid 28. See also Andrew, Keay, ‘Which Creditors are Bound by Deeds of Company Arrangement? The Full Victorian Supreme Court Provides the Lead’ (1994) 2 Insolvency Law Journal 147, 150–1Google Scholar.
135 See Law Reform Commission, General Insolvency Inquiry, Report No 45 (1988) [33], [163], [774], [783].
136 Explanatory Memorandum, Corporate Law Reform Bill 1992 (Cth), [577], [585]. See also Andrew Keay, ‘Court Involvement in Voluntary Administrations and Deeds of Company Arrangement: Powers, Problems and Prognoses’ (1995) 13 Company and Securities Law Journal 157. Keay notes that ‘[i]nterestingly, the Full Court declined to refer to the Explanatory Memorandum in its judgment’: at 174.
137 Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations v Gribbles Radiology Pty Ltd (2005) 222 CLR 194, 208 [21] (Gleeson CJ, Hayne, Callinan and Heydon JJ). See also Australian Education Union v Department of Education and Children's Services (2012) 248 CLR 1, 14 [28] (French CJ, Hayne, Kiefel and Bell JJ).
138 See, eg, G J, Hamilton, ‘Creditors and Classes of Creditors in the Context of Corporate Statutory Schemes of Arrangement’ (1994) 2 Insolvency Law Journal 176, 183–4Google Scholar; Keay, above n 136, 172–4; G J, Hamilton, ‘Deeds of Company Arrangement: The Prescribed Provisions’ (1995) 3 Insolvency Law Journal 67, 74–5, 81Google Scholar.
139 See, eg, Keay, above n 134, 150–1; Stephen, Newman, ‘Administering company affairs’ (1994) 68 Law Institute Journal 874, 874Google Scholar; O’Donovan, above n 55, 906–7, 910.
140 But see Daydream Island [1995] 2 Qd R 128, 134 (Shepherdson J): 's 444D(1) … requires a contingent claim to arise before 13 September 1993 and that has not happened … [though] the circumstances giving rise to the … claims … occurred before 13 September 1993.’ Cf O’Donovan, above n 55, 912.
141 See, eg, Green v Giljohann (1995) 17 ACSR 518, 521–2 (Mandie J); Selim v McGrath (2003) 177 FLR 85, 104–5 [66]–[68] (Barrett J); Expile (2004) 22 ACLC 667, 673 [22] (Palmer J); Chadmar Enterprises Pty Ltd (in liq) v IGA Distribution Pty Ltd (2006) 160 ACTR 29, 34 [22] (Crispin J); Heesh v Baker (2008) 67 ACSR 192, 204 [47] (Barrett J); Irving v Smith (2008) 220 FCR 439, 447–8 [37]–[39] (Goldberg J); Lawless v MacKendrick (No 2) [2008] WASC 15 (29 February 2008) [42] (Newnes J); Henaford Pty Ltd v Strathfield Group Ltd (2009) 72 ACSR 240, 243 [11]–[12] (White J); Larkden Pty Ltd v Lloyd Energy Systems Pty Ltd [2011] NSWSC 1567 (16 December 2011), [44]–[45] (Hammerschlag J).
142 See, eg, GM & AM Pearce & Co Pty Ltd v RGM Australia Pty Ltd [1998] 4 VR 888, 893–4, 901 (Batt JA, Ormiston and Callaway JJA agreeing); Surber v Lean (2000) 23 WAR 445, 464 [67] (Malcolm CJ); Australian Gypsum (2015) 297 FLR 1, 17 [66], 17 [68], 19 [76] (Buss JA), 41 [196]–[197] (Newnes and Murphy JJA); Central Queensland Development Corp Pty Ltd v Sunstruct Pty Ltd (2015) 231 FCR 17, 23 [31] (Gilmour J, Besanko and Rangiah JJ agreeing).
143 See, eg, Joseph Khoury & Sons v Zambena Pty Ltd (1999) 217 ALR 527, 532 [22] (Fitzgerald JA); City of Swan v Lehman Brothers Australia Ltd (2009) 179 FCR 243, 269 [79] (Rares J).
144 (1996) 70 FCR 34, 40 (emphasis added). See also 41–4.
145 Australian Securities Commission v Marlborough Gold Mines Ltd (1993) 177 CLR 485, 492 (Mason CJ, Brennan, Dawson, Toohey and Gaudron JJ); Farah Constructions Pty Ltd v Say-Dee Pty Ltd (2007) 230 CLR 89, 151–2 [135] (Gleeson CJ, Gummow, Callinan, Heydon and Crennan JJ).
146 See, eg, Molit (No 55) Pty Ltd v Lam Soon Australia Pty Ltd (1996) 63 FCR 391, 395 (Branson J).
147 Sutton (2011) 82 NSWLR 336, 369 [132] (Campbell JA).
148 (2008) 234 CLR 151, 171–2 [42] (citations omitted) (emphasis added).
149 Lehman Bros Holdings Inc v City of Swan (2010) 240 CLR 509, 523 [38] (French CJ, Gummow, Hayne and Kiefel JJ).
150 (2011) 82 NSWLR 336.
151 Ibid 344 [31].
152 Ibid 346–7 [48].
153 Ibid 348 [57].
154 Ibid 336 [1] (McColl JA), 389 [223]–[224] (Young JA).
155 Ibid 363 [105]. See also 364 [107], 366 [117].
156 Ibid 367 [124].
157 Ibid 367 [125]. See also 367–8 [126]–[130].
158 Ibid 368–9 [131].
159 Ibid 369 [133].
160 Ibid 369–70 [134].
161 Ibid.
162 Ibid 370 [136].
163 Ibid.
164 Ibid 370 [137].
165 Ibid 370 [138]. See also the discussion of the Harmer Report: at 370–1 [139]–[141].
166 Ibid 371–2 [143].
167 Ibid (emphasis added).
168 See above nn 112–3 and accompanying text.
169 (2015) 297 FLR 1, 41 [196].
170 See especially ibid 48–9 [232]–[234].
171 Ibid 41 [197].
172 Ibid 46 [219].
173 Ibid [218] quoting Blacktown City Council v Macarthur Telecommunications Pty Ltd (2003) 47 ACSR 391, 396 [19] (Barrett J).
174 Australian Gypsum (2015) 297 FLR 1, 45–6 [218]. See also Re Andersens Home Furnishing Co Pty Ltd (1996) 14 ACLC 1710 (Demack J); Molit (No 55) Pty Ltd v Lam Soon Australia Pty Ltd (1996) 63 FCR 391, 401 (Branson J); Keay, above n 134, 151.
175 Sutton (2011) 82 NSWLR 336, 369–70 [134]–[138] (Campbell JA).
176 (2015) 300 FLR 155, 175–6 [62] (‘Bluenergy’).
177 Ibid. See also 177 [66].
178 See Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) as in force on 1 January 2005, s 15AA. See also Australian Gypsum (2015) 297 FLR 1, 49 [238] (Newnes and Murphy JJA); David Morrison, ‘Deeds of company arrangement and secured creditors’ (2015) 23 Insolvency Law Journal 181, 194–5.
179 Brash Holdings [1996] 1 VR 24, 25. Cf Sutton (2011) 82 NSWLR 336, 367 [123] (Campbell JA).