49B  Investigation powers
Provisions subject to investigation
  • (1)

    A provision is subject to investigation under Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act if it is:

    • (a)

      an offence against section 35AT or 45; or

    • (b)

      a civil penalty provision of this Act.

Authorised applicant
  • (2)

    For the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act, a person who is appointed under subsection (3) is an authorised applicant in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

  • (3)

    The Secretary may, by writing, appoint a person who:

    • (a)

      is an SES employee, or an acting SES employee, in:

      • (i)

        the Department; or

      • (ii)

        a relevant Commonwealth regulator; or

    • (b)

      holds, or is acting in, a position in a relevant Commonwealth regulator that is equivalent to, or higher than, a position occupied by an SES employee;

    to be an authorised applicant in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

    Note: The expressions SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

Authorised person
  • (4)

    For the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act, a person who is appointed under subsection (5) is an authorised person in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

  • (5)

    The Secretary may, by writing, appoint a person who is:

    • (a)

      an APS employee in:

      • (i)

        the Department; or

      • (ii)

        a relevant Commonwealth regulator; or

    • (b)

      an officer or employee of a relevant Commonwealth regulator;

    to be an authorised person in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

Issuing officer
  • (6)

    For the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act, a magistrate is an issuing officer in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

Relevant chief executive
  • (7)

    For the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act, the Secretary is the relevant chief executive in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

  • (8)

    The relevant chief executive may, in writing, delegate the powers and functions mentioned in subsection (9) to a person who is an SES employee or an acting SES employee in the Department.

    Note: The expressions SES employee and acting SES employee are defined in section 2B of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

  • (9)

    The powers and functions that may be delegated are:

    • (a)

      powers under Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1); and

    • (b)

      powers and functions under the Regulatory Powers Act that are incidental to a power mentioned in paragraph (a).

  • (10)

    A person exercising powers or performing functions under a delegation under subsection (8) must comply with any directions of the relevant chief executive.

Relevant court
  • (11)

    For the purposes of Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act, each of the following courts is a relevant court in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1):

    • (a)

      the Federal Court of Australia;

    • (b)

      the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2);

    • (c)

      a court of a State or Territory that has jurisdiction in relation to matters arising under this Act.

Person assisting
  • (12)

    An authorised person may be assisted by other persons in exercising powers, or performing functions or duties, under Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act in relation to evidential material that relates to a provision mentioned in subsection (1).

External Territories
  • (13)

    Part 3 of the Regulatory Powers Act, as it applies in relation to the provisions mentioned in subsection (1), extends to every external Territory.