Page:JT International SA v Commonwealth of Australia.pdf/42

Gummow J

appropriate not to register a trade mark, to impose conditions or limitations upon registration or to revoke its registration.

Section 29 of the Packaging Act provides that failure to utilise a registered design as a result of complying with the Packaging Act does not provide a basis for a compulsory licence under s 90 of the Designs Act or for revocation under s 92.

Section 15(2) of the Packaging Act is a distinct and important provision. It states that:

"if, apart from this section, this Act would result in [an acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just terms] because it would prevent the use of a trade mark or other sign on or in relation to the retail packaging of tobacco products, or on tobacco products, then despite any other provision of this Act, the trade mark or sign may be used on or in relation to the retail packaging of tobacco products, or on tobacco products, subject to any requirements that may be prescribed in the regulations for the purposes of this subsection."

Section 15(3) confirms the continued operation of any tobacco product requirement that does not result in such an acquisition.

The plaintiffs in the BAT Matter challenge the validity of s 15(2). It is undoubtedly accurate to say that the Parliament may not confer upon courts exercising federal jurisdiction a choice as to the content of the law to be applied in adjudicating a "matter", if the result of doing so is that the Parliament has not made a law supported by a head of legislative power. But s 15(2) is not of that character. Section 15(2) is a severability provision of a specific application but of the same genus as that of which s 15A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth) is another member. To apply s 15(2) would not be to "read up" the Packaging Act in the impermissible manner discussed in Pape v Federal Commissioner of Taxation.

The issue then posed by the demurrer and the leading questions reserved, in effect, is whether the tobacco product requirements of the Packaging Act do not amount to an "acquisition" of the property of the plaintiffs so that s 15(2) is