medhead
Suspended
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- Feb 13, 2008
- Posts
- 19,074
Correct. The government being in 'caretaker mode' has no effect on these ordinary administrative decisions. 'Caretaker mode' refers to a set of political conventions not to take decisions that would bind the next government by, for example, making a major appointment (eg High Court appointment) or a major policy decision.
It is a federal government decision taken under federal legislation: the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 (Cth).
Edit: Weather is generally not considered an exceptional circumstance that warrants dispensation:
Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2016L00450
What like, say, making a decision to grant a dispensation for something that isn't normally considered an exceptional circumstance but that would set a precedent for the next government?
I would also suggest a number of you have got a bit caught up on the detail. The question was raised about the caretaker discussion somehow being political. that's the context, that's the question. Thanks for all the fine detail, interesting, not sure how it helps decide if there is a political aspect to this thread.