Pacific Hydro Limited & Ors v Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator [2006] FCAFC 39

FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

Pacific Hydro Limited & Ors v Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator [2006] FCAFC 39 STATUTORY INTERPRETATION - hydro-electric power station – Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 (Cth) – clause 2.3(c) Schedule 3 - calculation of eligible renewable energy Baseline - interpretation of "model the output of the station over the year in which generation started" - ordinary meaning of "model" – purposive interpretation - intention of Parliament in creating renewable energy regulatory scheme – reference to objectives – use of extrinsic material.

Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth) Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 (Cth) Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 (Cth) Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Regulations 2001 (No. 1) (Cth) Project Blue Sky Inc v Australian Broadcasting Authority (1998) 194 CLR 355 CIC Insurance Ltd v Bankstown Football Club Ltd (1997) 187 CLR 384 Newcastle City Council v GIO General Ltd (1997) 191 CLR 85 PACIFIC HYDRO LIMITED (ACN 057 279 508), PACIFIC HYDRO GROUP TWO PTY LTD (ACN 061 436 815), ENERGIS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 064 817 438) AND NORTHWESTERN ENERGY PTY LTD (ACN 064 817 518) v OFFICE OF THE RENEWABLE ENERGY REGULATOR VID 1061 OF 2005 TAMBERLIN, MARSHALL AND JACOBSON JJ MELBOURNE 28 MARCH 2006

IN THE FEDERAL COURT OF AUSTRALIA

VICTORIA DISTRICT REGISTRY VID 1061 OF 2005

ON APPEAL FROM A DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS TRIBUNAL

BETWEEN: PACIFIC HYDRO LIMITED (ACN 057 279 508)

FIRST APPLICANT

PACIFIC HYDRO GROUP TWO PTY LTD (ACN 061 436 815)

SECOND APPLICANT

ENERGIS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (ACN 064 817 438)

THIRD APPLICANT

NORTHWESTERN ENERGY PTY LTD (ACN 064 817 518)