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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
House of Assembly—No 54
As laid on the table and read a first time, 10 November
2004
South Australia
Criminal
Assets Confiscation Bill 2004
A Bill For
An
Act to provide for the confiscation of proceeds and instruments of crime; to
make related amendments to the Controlled Substances Act 1984, the Criminal
Law Consolidation Act 1935, the Financial Transaction Reports
(State Provisions) Act 1992 and the Legal Services Commission
Act 1977; to repeal the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 1996;
and for other purposes.
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
2 Commencement
3 Interpretation
4 Meaning of abscond
5 Meaning of convicted of an offence
6 Meaning of effective control
7 Meaning of proceeds and instrument
of an offence
8 Meaning of quashing a conviction
9 Act binds Crown
10 Application of Act
11 Interaction with other Acts
12 Corresponding laws
13 Delegation
14 Jurisdiction of Magistrates Court
Part 2—Freezing orders
15 Interpretation
16 Commissioner may authorise police
officers for purposes of Part
17 Authorised police officer may apply
for freezing order
18 Urgent applications
19 Notice of freezing order to be given
to financial institution
20 Effect of freezing order
21 Duration of freezing order
22 Failure to comply with freezing order
23 Offence to disclose existence of
freezing order
Part 3—Restraining orders
Division 1—Restraining orders
24 Restraining orders
25 Notice of application
26 Refusal to make an order for failure
to give undertaking
27 Order allowing expenses to be paid out
of restrained property
28 Excluding property from or revoking
restraining orders in certain cases when expenses are not allowed
Division 2—Giving effect to
restraining orders
29 Notice of a restraining order
30 Registering restraining orders
31 Notifying registration authorities of
exclusions from or variations to restraining orders
32 Court may set aside a disposition
contravening a restraining order
33 Contravening restraining orders
Division 3—Excluding property
from restraining orders
34 Court may exclude property from a
restraining order
35 Application to exclude property from a
restraining order after notice of the application for the order
36 Application to exclude property from a
restraining order after notice of the order
37 Application not to be heard unless DPP
has had reasonable opportunity to conduct an examination
38 Giving security etc to exclude property
from a restraining order
Division 4—Further orders
39 Court may order Administrator to take
custody and control of property
40 Ancillary orders
41 Contravening ancillary orders relating
to foreign property
Division 5—Duration of
restraining orders
42 When a restraining order comes into
force
43 Application to revoke a restraining
order
44 Giving security etc to revoke a
restraining order
45 Notice of revocation of a restraining
order
46 Cessation of restraining orders
Part 4—Forfeiture
Division 1—Forfeiture orders
Subdivision 1—Forfeiture orders
47 Forfeiture orders
48 Instrument substitution declarations
49 Additional application for a
forfeiture order
50 Notice of application
51 Procedure on application
52 Amending an application
53 Forfeiture orders can extend to other
interests in property
54 Forfeiture orders must specify the
value of forfeited property
55 Declaration by court in relation to
buying back interests in forfeited property
56 Court may make supporting directions
Subdivision 2—Reducing the effect of forfeiture
orders
57 Relieving certain dependants from
hardship
58 Making exclusion orders before
forfeiture order made
59 Making exclusion orders after
forfeiture
60 Applying for exclusion orders
61 Making compensation orders
62 Applying for compensation orders
Subdivision 3—The effect of acquittals and
quashing of convictions
63 Certain forfeiture orders unaffected
by acquittal or quashing of conviction
64 Discharge of conviction based
forfeiture order on quashing of conviction
65 Notice of application for confirmation
of forfeiture order
66 Procedure on application for
confirmation of forfeiture order
67 Court may confirm forfeiture order
68 Effect of court’s decision on
confirmation of forfeiture order
69 Administrator must not deal with
forfeited property before the court decides on confirmation of forfeiture order
70 Giving notice if a forfeiture order is
discharged on appeal or by quashing of a conviction
71 Returning property etc following the
discharge of a forfeiture order
Subdivision 4—Buying back interests in
forfeited property etc
72 A person may buy back interest in
forfeited property
73 A person may buy out another person's
interest in forfeited property
Division 2—Forfeiture on
conviction of a serious offence
Subdivision 1—Forfeiture on conviction of a
serious offence
74 Forfeiting restrained property without
a forfeiture order if a person has been convicted of a serious offence
75 Making an extension order extending
the period before property is forfeited
76 Excluding property from forfeiture
under this Division
77 Court may declare that property has
been forfeited under this Division
Subdivision 2—Recovery of forfeited property
78 Court may make orders relating to
transfer of forfeited property etc
79 Court may make orders relating to
buying back forfeited property
80 Applying for orders under
sections 78 and 79
81 A person may buy back interest in
forfeited property
82 A person may buy out another person's
interest in forfeited property
Subdivision 3—The effect of acquittals and
quashing of convictions
83 The effect on forfeiture of
convictions being quashed
84 Notice of application for confirmation
of forfeiture
85 Procedure on application for
confirmation of forfeiture
86 Court may confirm forfeiture
87 Effect of court’s decision on
confirmation of forfeiture
88 Administrator must not deal with
forfeited property before the court decides on confirmation of forfeiture
89 Giving notice if forfeiture ceases to
have effect on quashing of a conviction
Division 3—Forfeited property
90 What property is forfeited and when
91 When the Crown can begin dealing with
property specified in a forfeiture order
92 When the Crown can begin dealing with
property forfeited under section 74
93 How forfeited property must be dealt
with
94 Dealings with forfeited property
Part 5—Other confiscation
orders
Division 1—Pecuniary penalty
orders
Subdivision 1—Pecuniary penalty orders
95 Making pecuniary penalty orders
96 Additional application for a pecuniary
penalty order
97 Pecuniary penalty orders made in
relation to serious offence convictions
98 Making of pecuniary penalty order if
person has absconded
Subdivision 2—Pecuniary penalty order amounts
99 Determining penalty amounts
100 Evidence the court is to consider in
assessing the value of benefits
101 Value of benefits derived
102 Value of benefits may be as at time of
assessment
103 Matters that do not reduce the value of
benefits
104 Benefits already the subject of
pecuniary penalty
105 Property under a person’s effective
control
106 Effect of property vesting in an
insolvency trustee
107 Reducing penalty amounts to take account
of forfeiture and proposed forfeiture
108 Reducing penalty amounts to take account
of fines etc
109 Varying pecuniary penalty orders to
increase penalty amounts
Division 2—Literary proceeds
orders
Subdivision 1—Literary proceeds orders
110 Meaning of literary proceeds
111 Making literary proceeds orders
112 Matters taken into account in deciding
whether to make literary proceeds orders
Subdivision 2—Literary proceeds amounts
113 Determining literary proceeds amounts
114 Deductions from literary proceeds
amounts
115 Varying literary proceeds orders to
increase literary proceeds amounts
Subdivision 3—Literary proceeds amounts may
cover future literary proceeds
116 Literary proceeds orders can cover
future literary proceeds
117 Enforcement of literary proceeds orders
in relation to future literary proceeds
Division 3—Matters generally
applicable to orders under this Part
Subdivision 1—Applications for confiscation
orders under this Part
118 Notice of application
119 Amending an application
Subdivision 2—Ancillary orders
120 Ancillary orders
Subdivision 3—Reducing pecuniary penalty amount
or literary proceeds amount
121 Reducing penalty amounts and literary
proceeds amounts to take account of tax paid
Subdivision 4—Enforcement
122 Enforcement of confiscation orders under
this Part
123 Property subject to a person’s effective
control
Subdivision 5—Effect of acquittals and quashing
of convictions
124 Acquittals do not affect confiscation
orders under this Part
125 Discharge of confiscation order under
this Part if made in relation to a conviction
126 Confiscation order under this Part
unaffected if not made in relation to a conviction
127 Notice of application for confirmation
of confiscation order under this Part
128 Procedure on application for
confirmation of confiscation order under this Part
129 Court may confirm confiscation order
under this Part
130 Effect of court’s decision on
confirmation of confiscation order under this Part
Part 6—Information gathering
Division 1—Examinations
Subdivision 1—Examination orders
131 Examination orders relating to
restraining orders
132 Examination orders relating to
applications for confirmation of forfeiture
Subdivision 2—Examination notices
133 Examination notices
134 Form and content of examination notices
Subdivision 3—Conducting examinations
135 Time and place of examination
136 Requirements made of person examined
137 Examination to take place in private
138 Role of the examinee’s legal
practitioner during examination
139 Record of examination
140 Questions of law
141 DPP may restrict publication of certain
material
142 Protection of DPP etc
Subdivision 4—Offences
143 Failing to attend an examination
144 Offences relating to appearance at an
examination
145 Self-incrimination
146 Unauthorised presence at an examination
147 Breaching conditions on which records of
statements are provided
148 Breaching directions preventing or
restricting publication
Division 2—Production orders
149 Interpretation
150 Making production orders
151 Contents of production orders
152 Powers under production orders
153 Retaining produced documents
154 Self-incrimination
155 Varying production orders
156 Making false statements in applications
157 Disclosing existence or nature of
production orders
158 Failing to comply with a production
order
159 Destroying etc a document subject to a
production order
Division 3—Notices to
financial institutions
160 Giving notices to financial institutions
161 Immunity from liability
162 Making false statements in notices
163 Disclosing existence or nature of notice
164 Failing to comply with a notice
Division 4—Monitoring orders
165 Making monitoring orders
166 Contents of monitoring orders
167 Immunity from liability
168 Making false statements in applications
169 Disclosing existence or operation of
monitoring order
170 Failing to comply with monitoring order
Division 5—Search and seizure
Subdivision 1—Preliminary
171 Interpretation
Subdivision 2—Search warrants
172 Warrants authorising seizure of property
173 Applications for warrants
174 Powers conferred by warrant
175 Hindering execution of warrant
176 Person with knowledge of a computer or a
computer system to assist access etc
177 Providing documents after execution of a
search warrant
Subdivision 3—Seizure without warrant
178 Seizure without warrant allowed in
certain circumstances
179 Stopping and searching vehicles
Subdivision 4—Dealing with material liable to
seizure under this Act
180 Receipts for material seized
181 Responsibility for material seized
182 Effect of obtaining forfeiture orders
183 Returning seized material
184 Magistrate may order that material be
retained
185 Return of seized material to third
parties
186 Return of seized material if
applications are not made for restraining orders or forfeiture orders
187 Effect of obtaining restraining orders
188 Effect of refusing applications for
restraining orders or forfeiture orders
Subdivision 5—Miscellaneous
189 Making false statements in applications
Part 7—Administration
Division 1—Powers and duties
of the Administrator
Subdivision 1—Preliminary
190 Appointment of Administrator
191 Property to which the Administrator’s
powers and duties under this Division apply
Subdivision 2—Obtaining information about
controlled property
192 Access to documents
193 Suspect to assist Administrator
194 Power to obtain information and evidence
195 Self-incrimination
196 Failure of person to attend
197 Refusal to be sworn or give evidence etc
Subdivision 3—Dealings relating to controlled
property
198 Preserving controlled property
199 Rights attaching to shares
200 Destroying or disposing of property
201 Objection to proposed destruction or
disposal
202 Procedure if person objects to proposed
destruction or disposal
203 Proceeds from sale of property
Subdivision 4—Discharging pecuniary penalty
orders and literary proceeds orders
204 Direction by a court to the
Administrator
205 Administrator not to carry out
directions during appeal periods
206 Discharge of pecuniary penalty orders
and literary proceeds orders
Division 2—Legal assistance
207 Payments to Legal Services Commission
for representing suspects and other persons
208 Disclosure of information to Legal
Services Commission
Division 3—Victims of Crime
Fund
209 Credits to the Victims of Crime Fund
Division 4—Charges on property
Subdivision 1—Charge to secure certain amounts
payable to the Crown
210 Charge on property subject to
restraining order
Subdivision 2—Charge to secure certain amounts
payable to Legal Services Commission
211 Legal Services Commission charges
Subdivision 3—Registering and priority of
charges
212 Charges may be registered
213 Priority of charges
Part 8—Miscellaneous
214 Authorised officers to be issued
identity cards
215 Immunity from civil liability
216 Manner of giving notices etc
217 Registration of orders made under
corresponding laws
218 Certain proceedings to be civil
219 Consent orders
220 Onus and standard of proof
221 Applications to certain courts
222 Proof of certain matters
223 Stay of proceedings
224 Effect of the confiscation scheme on
sentencing
225 Deferral of sentencing pending
determination of confiscation order
226 Appeals
227 Costs
228 Interest
229 Effect of a person’s death
230 Regulations
Schedule 1—Related amendments, repeals and transitional provisions
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Amendment provisions
Part 2—Amendment of Controlled
Substances Act 1984
2 Repeal of section 43
3 Amendment of section 44—Matters to
be considered when court fixes penalty
4 Amendment of section 52A—Seized
property and forfeiture
Part 3—Amendment of Criminal
Law Consolidation Act 1935
5 Amendment of section 348—Interpretation
Part 4—Amendment of Financial
Transaction Reports (State Provisions) Act 1992
6 Amendment of section 5—Further
reports of suspect transactions
7 Amendment of section 6—Reports of
suspect transactions not reported under Commonwealth Act
Part 5—Amendment of Legal
Services Commission Act 1977
8 Amendment of section 5—Interpretation
9 Amendment of section 18B—Special
provisions in relation to property subject to a restraining order
Part 6—Repeal of Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 1996
10 Repeal of Act
Part 7—Transitional provisions
11 Transitional
provision
The Parliament of South Australia enacts
as follows:
This Act may be cited as the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act
2004.
This Act will come into operation on a day to be fixed by
proclamation.
In this Act, unless the contrary intention
appears—
abscond—see section 4;
account means any facility or arrangement through
which a financial institution accepts deposits or allows withdrawals and
includes a facility or arrangement for—
(a) a
fixed term deposit; and
(b) a
safety deposit box or other safe custody facility;
Administrator means the person appointed as the Administrator under
section 190;
agent includes, if the agent is a corporation, the officers and agents
of the corporation;
Australia, when used in a geographical sense, includes the external
Territories;
authorised officer means—
(a) the
DPP; or
(b) a
police officer; or
(c) a
member, officer or employee of an enforcement agency who is authorised in
writing by the head of that agency for the purposes of this Act;
benefit includes a service or advantage;
charged—a person is charged with an offence if an
information or complaint is laid against the person for the offence whether or
not—
(a) a
summons to require the attendance of the person to answer the information or
complaint has been issued; or
(b) a
warrant for the arrest of the person has been issued;
compensation order means an order made under section 61;
confiscation order means a forfeiture order, a pecuniary penalty order or a
literary proceeds order;
controlled property means property subject to an order under section 39;
convicted—see section 5;
conviction day—see section 5;
corresponding law means a law declared to be a corresponding law under
section 12;
court means—
(a) the
Supreme Court; or
(b) the
District Court; or
(c) subject
to section 14, the Magistrates Court;
data includes data in any form in which it may be stored or processed
in a computer (including a computer program or part of a computer program);
data storage device means any article or material (for example, a disk) from
which information is capable of being reproduced, with or without the aid of
any other article or device;
deal with—dealing with a person's property includes—
(a) if
a debt is owed to the person—making a payment to a person in reduction of the
amount of the debt; and
(b) removing
the property from the State; and
(c) receiving
or making a gift of the property; and
(d) if
the property is covered by a restraining order—engaging in a transaction that
has the direct or indirect effect of reducing the value of the person’s
interest in the property;
dependant of a person means—
(a) a
spouse of the person; or
(b) a
child of the person who depends on the person for support; or
(c) a
member of a person’s household who depends on the person for support;
derived—a person derives proceeds, a benefit or
literary proceeds if —
(a) the
person; or
(b) another
person at the request or direction of the first person,
derives the proceeds, benefit or literary proceeds, whether
directly or indirectly;
director, in relation to a financial institution
or a corporation, means—
(a) if
the institution or corporation is a body corporate incorporated for a public
purpose by a law of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory—a
constituent member of the body corporate; and
(b) any
person occupying or acting in the position of director of the institution or
corporation, by whatever name called and whether or not validly appointed to
occupy, or duly authorised to act in, the position; and
(c) any
person in accordance with whose directions or instructions the directors of the
institution or corporation are accustomed to act, other than when those
directors only do so—
(i) in
the proper performance of the functions attaching to the person’s professional
capacity; or
(ii) in
their business relationship with the person;
document includes—
(a) any
paper or other material on which there is writing; and
(b) any
paper or other material on which there are marks, figures, symbols or
perforations having a meaning for persons qualified to interpret them; and
(c) any
article or material from which sounds, images or writings are capable of being
reproduced with or without the aid of any other article or device; and
(d) any
map, plan, drawing, graph or photograph;
DPP
means the Director of Public Prosecutions and includes a person acting in the
position of Director of Public Prosecutions;
drug means a substance that is a drug of dependence or a prohibited
substance within the meaning of the Controlled Substances Act 1984;
effective control—see section 6;
encumbrance, in relation to property, includes any interest, mortgage,
charge, right, claim or demand in respect of the property;
enforcement agency means—
(a) the
DPP; or
(b) an
agency prescribed by regulation as an enforcement agency for the purposes of
this Act or specified provisions of this Act;
examination notice means a notice given under section 133;
examination order means an order under section 131 or 132 that is in
force;
exclusion order means an order under section 58;
executive officer in relation to a financial institution or a corporation,
means any person, by whatever name called and whether or not the person is a
director of the institution or corporation, who is concerned, or takes part, in
the management of the institution or corporation;
extension order means an order under section 75;
financial institution means—
(a) an
ADI; or
(b) a
friendly society; or
(c) an
institution of a kind declared by regulation to be a financial institution;
foreign forfeiture order has the same meaning as in the Mutual
Assistance Act;
foreign pecuniary penalty order has the same meaning as in the Mutual
Assistance Act;
foreign restraining order has the same meaning as in the Mutual
Assistance Act;
forfeiture order means an order under section 47 that is in force;
freezing order means an order under section 17 that is in force;
instrument—see section 7;
instrument substitution declaration means a declaration under
section 48;
interest, in relation to property or a thing,
means—
(a) a
legal or equitable estate or interest in the property or thing; or
(b) a
right, power or privilege in connection with the property or thing,
whether present or future and whether vested or contingent;
legal assistance costs means the costs of providing legal
assistance to an assisted person under the Legal Services Commission
Act 1977 (see section 5(2) of that Act);
literary proceeds—see section 110;
literary proceeds amount—see section 113;
literary proceeds order means an order under section 111
that is in force;
monitoring order means an order under section 165 that is in force;
Mutual Assistance Act means the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act
1987 of the Commonwealth as in force from time to time;
officer, in relation to a financial institution or a corporation, means a
director, secretary, executive officer or employee;
pecuniary penalty order means an order under section 95 that
is in force;
penalty amount—see section 99;
premises means a building, structure or place (whether built on or not and
whether enclosed or unenclosed) and includes an aircraft, vessel or vehicle;
proceeds—see section 7;
production order means an order under section 150 that is in force;
property means real or personal property (tangible
or intangible) including—
(a) a
chose in action; and
(b) an
interest in property;
property-tracking document—see section 149;
putative spouse means a person who is cohabiting with a
person as the husband or wife de facto of the person and—
(a) who
has so cohabited continuously over the last preceding period of 5 years, or for
periods aggregating 5 years over the last preceding period of 6 years; or
(b) who
has had sexual relations with the person resulting in the birth of a child;
quashed—see section 8;
reciprocating State means a State or Territory in which a corresponding law is
in force;
recognised Australian forfeiture order means an order that is made under a
corresponding law and is of a kind declared by the regulations to be within
this definition;
recognised Australian pecuniary penalty order means an order that is made under a
corresponding law and is of a kind declared by the regulations to be within
this definition;
recognised Australian restraining order means an order that is made under a
corresponding law and is of a kind declared by the regulations to be within
this definition;
registrable property means property the title to which is passed by
registration on a register kept pursuant to a provision of a law of the State
or any other law;
registration authority means an authority responsible for
administering a law providing for registration of title to, or charges over,
property of a particular kind;
related offence—an offence is related to another offence if the physical elements
of the 2 offences are substantially the same acts or omissions;
responsible custodian, in relation to property or other
material seized under this Act, means—
(a) if
the property or other material is seized by the DPP—the DPP; or
(b) in
any other case—the head of the enforcement agency of the authorised officer who
seized the property or other material;
restraining order means an order under section 24 that is in force;
search warrant means a warrant issued under section 172 that is in force;
serious drug offence means—
(a) an
offence against section 32 of the Controlled Substances Act 1984
(other than an offence of a kind described in subsection (6) of that section);
or
(b) a
conspiracy to commit, or an attempt to commit, such an offence; or
(c) an
offence of acting as an accessary to the commission of such an offence;
serious offence means—
(a) an
indictable offence; or
(b) a
serious drug offence; or
(c) an
offence against—
(i) section
68(3) of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935; or
(ii) section
34 or 44 of the Fisheries Act 1982; or
(iii) section
99 of the Liquor Licensing Act 1997; or
(iv) a
provision of the Lottery and Gaming Act 1936; or
(v) section
47, 48, 48A, 51 or 60 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972;
or
(vi) section
28(1)(a), 33(2) or 41 of the Summary Offences Act 1953;
spouse includes a putative spouse;
sufficient consideration, in relation to an acquisition or
disposal of property, means consideration that is sufficient and that reflects
the value of the property, having regard solely to commercial considerations;
suspect, in relation to a restraining order or a
confiscation order, means a person who—
(a) has
been convicted of; or
(b) has
been charged with, or is proposed to be charged with; or
(c) if
the order is a restraining order—is suspected of having committed; or
(d) if
the order is a confiscation order—committed,
the offence or offences to which the order relates;
tainted property means—
(a) proceeds
of a serious offence; or
(b) an
instrument of a serious offence or property subject to an instrument
substitution declaration;
unlawful activity means an unlawful act or omission—
(a) that
constitutes a serious offence; or
(b) that
would, if committed in this State, constitute a serious offence;
vehicle includes an aircraft or vessel;
Victims of Crime Fund means the fund of that name continued in existence under
the Victims of Crime Act 2001.
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is
taken to abscond in connection with an offence if—
(a) an
information or complaint is laid alleging the person committed the offence; and
(b) a
warrant for the person’s arrest is issued in relation to that information or
complaint; and
(c) at
the end of the period of 6 months commencing on the day on which the warrant is
issued either—
(i) the
person—
(A) cannot
be found; or
(B) is,
for any other reason, not amenable to justice and, if the person is in a
jurisdiction outside Australia, extradition proceedings are not on foot in that
jurisdiction; or
(ii) —
(A) the
person is, because he or she is in a jurisdiction outside Australia, not amenable
to justice; and
(B) extradition
proceedings are on foot in that jurisdiction,
and subsequently those proceedings terminate without an order for
the person’s extradition being made.
(2) For
the purposes of subsection (1), extradition proceedings are not taken to
be on foot in a jurisdiction unless the person is in custody, or is on bail, in
that jurisdiction.
5—Meaning of convicted of an offence
(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person is
taken to be convicted of an offence if—
(a) the
person is convicted, whether summarily or on indictment, of the offence (and in
such a case the conviction day for the purposes of this Act is
the day on which the person was convicted, whether or not the court passed
sentence on that day); or
(b) the
person is charged with, and found guilty of, the offence but is discharged
without conviction (and in such a case the conviction day for the
purposes of this Act is the day on which the person was discharged without
conviction); or
(c) a
court, with the consent of the person, takes the offence, of which the person
has not been found guilty, into account in passing sentence on the person for
another offence (and in such a case the conviction day for the
purposes of this Act is the day on which the court took the offence into
account in passing the sentence); or
(d) the
person absconds in connection with the offence (and in such a case the conviction
day for the purposes of this Act is the day on which the person is
taken to have absconded); or
(e) a
court has, under Part 8A Division 2 of the Criminal Law Consolidation
Act 1935, recorded findings that—
(i) the
person is mentally incompetent to commit the offence; and
(ii) the
objective elements of the offence are established,
(and in such a case the conviction day for the
purposes of this Act is the day on which the court recorded those findings or,
if those findings were recorded on different days, the later of the days); or
(f) a
court has, under Part 8A Division 3 of the Criminal Law Consolidation
Act 1935, recorded findings that—
(i) the
person is mentally unfit to stand trial on a charge of the offence; and
(ii) the
objective elements of the offence are established,
(and in such a case the conviction day for the
purposes of this Act is the day on which the court recorded those findings or,
if those findings were recorded on different days, the later of the days).
(2) If subsection (1)(d), (1)(e) or (1)(f)
applies to a person, the person is taken—
(a) to
have committed the offence; and
(b) to
have been convicted of the offence before an appropriate court.
6—Meaning of effective control
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the following
principles apply when determining whether property is subject to the effective
control of a person:
(a) property
may be subject to the effective control of a person whether or not the person
has an interest in the property;
(b) property
that is held on trust for the ultimate benefit of a person is taken to be under
the effective control of the person;
(c) if
a person is one of 2 or more beneficiaries under a discretionary trust, the
following undivided proportion of the trust property is taken to be under the
effective control of the person—
(d) if
property is initially owned by a person and, within 6 years (whether before or
after) of an application for a restraining order or a confiscation order being
made, is disposed of to another person without sufficient consideration, then
the property is taken still to be under the effective control of the first
person;
(e) property
may be subject to the effective control of a person even if one or more other
persons have joint control of the property.
(2) In determining whether or not property is
subject to the effective control of a person, regard may be had to—
(a) shareholdings
in, debentures over or directorships of a company that has an interest (whether
direct or indirect) in the property; and
(b) a
trust that has a relationship to the property; and
(c) family,
domestic and business relationships between persons having an interest in the
property, or in companies of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) or
trusts of the kind referred to in paragraph (b), and other persons.
7—Meaning of proceeds and instrument of an offence
(1) For the purposes of this Act, the following
rules apply when determining whether property is proceeds or an instrument of
an offence:
(a) property
is proceeds of an offence if it is—
(i) wholly
derived or realised, whether directly or indirectly, from the commission of the
offence; or
(ii) partly
derived or realised, whether directly or indirectly, from the commission of the
offence,
whether the property is situated within or outside the State;
(b) property
is an instrument of an offence if it is—
(i) used
in, or in connection with, the commission of an offence; or
(ii) intended
to be used in, or in connection with, the commission of an offence,
whether the property is situated within or outside the State;
(c) property
becomes proceeds of an offence or an instrument of an offence (as the case
requires) if it is—
(i) wholly
or partly derived or realised from the disposal of, or other dealing with,
proceeds of the offence or an instrument of the offence; or
(ii) wholly
or partly acquired using proceeds of the offence or an instrument of the
offence,
including as a result of a previous application of this section;
(d) property
remains proceeds of an offence or an instrument of an offence even if it is—
(i) credited
to an account; or
(ii) disposed
of or otherwise dealt with;
(e) property
can be proceeds of an offence or an instrument of an offence even if no person
has been convicted of the offence.
(2) Subject to this section, property only
ceases to be proceeds of an offence or an instrument of an offence if—
(a) it
is acquired by a third party for sufficient consideration without the third
party knowing, and in circumstances that would not arouse a reasonable
suspicion, that the property was proceeds of an offence or an instrument of an
offence (as the case requires); or
(b) it
vests in a person from the distribution of the estate of a deceased person,
having been previously vested in a person from the distribution of the estate
of another deceased person while the property was still proceeds of an offence
or an instrument of an offence (as the case requires); or
(c) it
has been distributed in accordance with—
(i) an
order in proceedings under the Family Law Act 1975 of the Commonwealth
with respect to the property of the parties to a marriage or either of them; or
(ii) a
financial agreement within the meaning of that Act,
and 6 years have elapsed since that distribution; or
(d) it
has been distributed in accordance with an order in proceedings under the De
Facto Relationships Act 1996 with respect to the division of property
of de facto partners and 6 years have elapsed since that distribution; or
(e) it
is acquired by a person as payment for reasonable legal expenses incurred in
connection with an application under this Act or defending a criminal charge;
or
(f) a
forfeiture order in respect of the property is satisfied; or
(g) a
recognised Australian restraining order or a recognised Australian forfeiture
order is satisfied in respect of the property; or
(h) it
is otherwise sold or disposed of under this Act; or
(i) in
any other circumstances specified in the regulations.
(3) If—
(a) a
person once owned property that was proceeds of an offence or an instrument of
an offence; and
(b) the
person ceased to be the owner of the property and (at that time or a later
time) the property stopped being proceeds of an offence or an instrument of the
offence under subsection (2) (other than under subsection (2)(f));
and
(c) the
person acquires the property again,
then the property becomes proceeds of an offence or an instrument
of the offence again (as the case requires).
(4) Subsection (2)(c) does not apply if,
despite the distribution referred to in that paragraph, the property is still
subject to the effective control of a person who—
(a) has
been convicted of; or
(b) has
been charged with, or who is proposed to be charged with; or
(c) has
committed, or is suspected of having committed,
the offence in question.
8—Meaning of quashing a conviction
For the purposes of this Act, a person’s
conviction of an offence is taken to be quashed if—
(a) if
the person is taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(a)—the conviction is quashed or set aside; or
(b) if
the person is taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(b)—the finding of guilt is quashed or set aside; or
(c) if
the person is taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(c)—either of the following events occur:
(i) the
person’s conviction of the other offence referred to in that paragraph is
quashed or set aside;
(ii) the
decision of the court to take the offence into account in passing sentence for
that other offence is quashed or set aside; or
(d) if
the person is taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(d)—after the person is brought before a court in respect of
the offence, the person is discharged in respect of the offence or a conviction
of the person for the offence is quashed or set aside; or
(e) if
the person is taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(e) or 5(1)(f)—the finding that the objective elements of the
serious offence have been established is set aside or reversed.
This Act binds the Crown in right of the State and also, so far as
the legislative power of the State extends, the Crown in all its other
capacities, but not so as to impose any criminal liability on the Crown.
This Act applies to—
(a) property
within or outside the State; and
(b) a
serious offence committed at any time (whether the offence occurred before or
after the commencement of this Act and whether or not a person is convicted of
the offence); and
(c) a
person's conviction of a serious offence (whether the conviction occurred
before or after the commencement of this Act).
11—Interaction with other Acts
This Act is in addition to, and does not limit or derogate from,
the provisions of any other Act.
The Governor may, by proclamation—
(a) declare
a law of the Commonwealth, another State or a Territory to be a corresponding
law for the purposes of this Act; or
(b) vary
or revoke a declaration previously made under this section.
(1) The DPP or the Administrator may, by
instrument in writing, delegate a power or function under this Act—
(a) to
a particular person; or
(b) to
the person for the time being occupying a particular position.
(2) A
power or function delegated under this section may, if the instrument of
delegation so provides, be further delegated.
(3) A delegation—
(a) may
be absolute or conditional; and
(b) does
not derogate from the power of the delegator to act personally in a matter; and
(c) is
revocable at will.
14—Jurisdiction of Magistrates Court
(1) Despite
any provision of the Magistrates Court Act 1991, the Magistrates
Court has jurisdiction to hear and determine any application that may be made
to a court under this Act unless the application involves property with a value
exceeding $300 000.
(2) If the Magistrates Court makes an order
under this Act requiring a person to pay to any other person, or to the Crown,
a monetary amount exceeding the amount specified under the Magistrates Court
Act 1991 as the monetary limit on the Court's civil jurisdiction in
relation to actions to recover a debt—
(a) the
Principal Registrar of the Magistrates Court must issue a certificate
containing the particulars specified in the regulations in relation to the
order; and
(b) the
certificate may be registered, in accordance with the regulations, in the
District Court and, on registration, is enforceable in all respects as a final
judgment of the District Court.
(3) For
the avoidance of doubt, no monetary limit applies in relation to the
jurisdiction conferred on a magistrate under Part 2.
In this Part—
authorised police officer means a police officer, or a police
officer of a class, authorised under section 16.
16—Commissioner may authorise police officers for purposes of Part
(1) The Commissioner of Police may authorise—
(a) a
police officer; or
(b) a
specified class of police officers,
for the purposes of this Part.
(2) An authorisation under this section—
(a) must
be by instrument in writing; and
(b) may
be subject to conditions specified in the authorisation; and
(c) may
be varied or revoked at any time by the Commissioner of Police by notice in
writing.
17—Authorised police officer may apply for freezing order
(1) A magistrate may, on application by an
authorised police officer, make an order (a freezing order) that
a specified financial institution must not allow any person to make transfers
or withdrawals from a specified account (except in the manner and
circumstances, if any, specified in the order) if satisfied that—
(a) there
are reasonable grounds to suspect that the person in whose name the account is
held or a person who has an interest in that account—
(i) has
committed, or is about to commit, a serious offence; or
(ii) was
involved in the commission, or is about to be involved in the commission, of
such an offence; or
(iii) has
derived a benefit, or is about to derive a benefit, from the commission of such
an offence; and
(b) an
application for a restraining order is likely to be made in respect of property
in which —
(i) the
person in whose name the account is held has an interest; or
(ii) the
person who has an interest in the account has an interest; and
(c) it
is otherwise appropriate to make the order.
(2) In determining whether it is appropriate to
make a freezing order, the magistrate must have regard to—
(a) the
amount of money in the account to be frozen; and
(b) whether
the account is held in the name of more than one person; and
(c) any
hardship that may reasonably be expected to be caused to any person by the
operation of the order.
(3) Subject
to section 18, the applicant for a freezing order must submit evidence in
support of the application in the form of an affidavit.
(1) An
application for a freezing order may be made by telephone if, in the opinion of
the applicant, the order is urgently required and there is not enough time to
make the application personally.
(2) If an application for a freezing order is
made by telephone—
(a) the
applicant must inform the magistrate—
(i) of
the applicant's name and rank; and
(ii) that
he or she is an authorised police officer for the purposes of this Part,
and the magistrate, on receiving that information, is entitled to
assume, without further inquiry, that the applicant is so authorised; and
(b) the
applicant must inform the magistrate of the purpose for which the order is
required, the grounds on which it is sought and any other information that the
magistrate is required to have regard to in consider an application for a
freezing order; and
(c) if
it appears to the magistrate from the information given by the applicant that
it would be appropriate to make a freezing order, the magistrate must inform
the applicant of the facts that justify, in the magistrate's opinion, the
making of the order, and must not proceed to make the order unless the
applicant undertakes to make an affidavit verifying those facts; and
(d) if
the applicant gives such an undertaking, the magistrate may then make the
order, noting on the order the facts that justify, in the magistrate's opinion,
the making of the order and informing the applicant of the terms of the order;
and
(e) the
applicant must, as soon as practicable after the making of the order, forward
to the magistrate an affidavit verifying the facts referred to in
paragraph (c); and
(f) the
magistrate must, as soon as practicable after the making of the order, forward
to the applicant a copy of the order.
(3) A
magistrate who makes an order under this section must file the order, or a copy
of the order, and the affidavit verifying the grounds on which the application
for the order was made, in the Magistrates Court.
19—Notice of freezing order to be given to financial institution
(1) A
freezing order issued in relation to an account at a financial institution
takes effect on the date and at the time that notice of the order is given to
the financial institution in accordance with this section.
(2) Notice of a freezing order may be given to
a financial institution—
(a) by
giving the financial institution a copy of the freezing order; or
(b) if
the applicant for the order was not given a copy of the order at the time the
order was made—by giving the financial institution a notice in the prescribed
form.
(3) If
notice of a freezing order is not given to the relevant financial institution
within 72 hours after the order was made, the order will be of no force or
effect.
(1) For
the purposes of a freezing order, it is irrelevant whether or not money is
deposited into the account in relation to which the freezing order was made
after the order takes effect.
(2) A
freezing order does not prevent a financial institution from making withdrawals
from an account for the purpose of meeting a liability imposed on the financial
institution in connection with that account by any law of the State or the Commonwealth.
(1) Subject to this section, a freezing order
ceases to be in force on—
(a) the
making of a restraining order in respect of the money in the account; or
(b) the
expiration of 72 hours after the time at which the freezing order took effect,
whichever occurs first.
(2) An
authorised police officer may apply to a magistrate for an extension of the
duration of a freezing order.
(3) On an application under
subsection (2), the magistrate—
(a) must
have regard to the matters set out in section 17(2); and
(b) must
not extend the duration of the freezing order unless satisfied that—
(i) an
application for a restraining order in respect of the money in the account has
been made; and
(ii) the
application for the restraining order has not been determined.
(4) An
extension of the duration of a freezing order issued in relation to an account
at a financial institution takes effect on the date and at the time that notice
of the extension is given to the financial institution in accordance with this
section.
(5) Notice
of the extension may be given to a financial institution by giving the
financial institution a notice in the prescribed form.
(6) If
the duration of a freezing order is extended in accordance with this section,
the freezing order ceases to be in force when the application for the
restraining order referred to in subsection (3)(b) has been determined
(and if a restraining order is not made in respect of the money in the account,
the applicant for the extension must give the financial institution a notice in
the prescribed form advising the financial institution of the cessation of the
freezing order).
22—Failure to comply with freezing order
A financial institution that has been
given notice of a freezing order must not, without reasonable excuse, fail to
comply with the order.
Maximum penalty: $20 000.
23—Offence to disclose existence of freezing order
(1) A financial institution that has been given
notice of a freezing order made in relation to an account must not, while the
order is in force, disclose the existence or operation of the order to any
person except—
(a) a
police officer; or
(b) an
officer or agent of the financial institution, for the purpose of ensuring that
the freezing order is complied with; or
(c) a
legal practitioner acting for the financial institution, for the purpose of
obtaining legal advice or representation in relation to the freezing order; or
(d) a person in whose name the account is held
or who has an interest in the account.
Maximum penalty: $20 000.
(2) If the existence of a freezing order is
disclosed to a person in accordance with subsection (1)(a), (b) or (c) in
the course of the person performing duties as a police officer, an officer or
agent of a financial institution or a legal practitioner, the person must not,
while the order is in force, disclose to any other person the existence or
operation of the order except—
(a) for
the purpose of performing duties as a police officer, an officer or agent of
the financial institution or a legal practitioner (as the case may be); or
(b) for
the purposes of, or in connection with, legal proceedings; or
(c) as otherwise required or authorised by this
Act.
Maximum penalty: $5 000 or imprisonment for 1 year.
(3) A
reference in this section to disclosing the existence or operation of a
freezing order to a person includes a reference to disclosing information to
the person from which the person could reasonably be expected to infer the
existence or operation of the freezing order.
(1) A court must, on application by the DPP,
make an order (a restraining order) that specified property must
not be disposed of or otherwise dealt with by any person (except in the manner
and circumstances, if any, specified in the order) if satisfied that—
(a) a
person has been convicted of, or has been charged with, a serious offence, or
it is proposed that the person be charged with a serious offence; or
(b) a
person is suspected on reasonable grounds of having committed a serious
offence; or
(c) there
are reasonable grounds to suspect that the property is the proceeds of, or is
an instrument of, a serious offence (whether or not the identity of the person
who committed the offence is known); or
(d) there
are reasonable grounds to suspect that a person has committed a serious offence
and has derived literary proceeds in relation to the offence.
(2) An
application for an order under this section must specify the property to which
the application relates.
(3) The
DPP may submit evidence in support of the application in the form of an
affidavit.
(4) Subject
to subsection (5) and Division 3, the court must specify in the
restraining order all property specified in the application for the order.
(5) The court may only specify property in a
restraining order made under subsection (1)(a),(b) or (d) if satisfied
that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the property is—
(a) in
the case of a restraining order made under subsection (1)(a) or (b)—
(i) property
of the suspect; or
(ii) property
of another person (whether or not that other person’s identity is known) that—
(A) is
subject to the effective control of the suspect; or
(B) is
proceeds of, or is an instrument of, the serious offence; or
(b) in
the case of a restraining order made under subsection (1)(d)—
(i) property
of the suspect; or
(ii) property
of another person (whether or not that other person’s identity is known) that
is subject to the effective control of the suspect.
(6) The
court must make a restraining order even if there is no risk of the property
being disposed of or otherwise dealt with.
(7) The
court may specify that a restraining order covers property that is acquired by
the suspect after the court makes the order.
(8) A
restraining order may be made subject to conditions.
(1) Subject to subsection (4), the DPP
must—
(a) give
written notice of an application for a restraining order covering property to—
(i) the
owner of the property (if the owner is known); and
(ii) any
other person the DPP reasonably believes may have an interest in the property;
and
(b) include
with the notice a copy of the application and—
(i) in
the case of the owner—any affidavit supporting the application; or
(ii) in
any other case—a notice that the person may request the DPP give the person a
copy of any affidavit supporting the application.
(2) The
DPP must comply with a request referred to in subsection (1)(b)(ii) as
soon as practicable.
(3) Subject
to subsection (4), a court must not hear an application unless it is
satisfied that the owner of the property to which the application relates has
received reasonable notice of the application.
(4) A
court may, if the DPP requests, consider the application without notice having
been given under subsection (1).
(5) A court may, at any time before finally
determining the application—
(a) direct
the DPP to give or publish notice of the application to a specified person or
class of persons; and
(b) specify
the time and manner in which the notice is to be given or published.
(6) A
person who claims an interest in property may appear and adduce evidence at the
hearing of the application.
(7) A
witness who is giving evidence relating to an application for a restraining
order is not required to answer a question or produce a document if the court
is satisfied that the answer or document may prejudice the investigation of, or
the prosecution of a person for, an offence.
26—Refusal to make an order for failure to give undertaking
(1) A
court may refuse to make a restraining order if the Crown refuses or fails to
give the court an appropriate undertaking with respect to the payment of
damages or costs, or both, for the making and operation of the order.
(2) The
DPP may give such an undertaking on behalf of the Crown.
27—Order allowing expenses to be paid out of restrained property
(1) A court that has made a restraining order
may (when the restraining order is made or at a later time) order that one or
more of the following may be met out of property, or a specified part of
property, covered by the restraining order:
(a) the
reasonable living expenses of the person whose property is restrained;
(b) the
reasonable living expenses of any of the dependants of that person;
(c) the
reasonable business expenses of that person;
(d) a
specified debt incurred in good faith by that person.
(2) The court may only make an order under
subsection (1) if—
(a) the
person whose property is restrained has applied for the order; and
(b) the
person has notified the DPP, in writing, of the application and the grounds for
the application; and
(c) the
person has disclosed all of his or her interests in property, and his or her
liabilities, in a statement on oath that has been filed in the court; and
(d) the
court is satisfied that the expense or debt does not, or will not, relate to
legal costs that the person has incurred, or will incur, in connection with—
(i) proceedings
under this Act; or
(ii) proceedings
for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and
(e) the
court is satisfied that the person cannot meet the expense or debt out of
property that is not covered by—
(i) a
restraining order; or
(ii) a
recognised Australian restraining order; or
(iii) a
foreign restraining order that is registered under the Mutual Assistance Act.
(3) Property that is covered by—
(a) a
restraining order; or
(b) a
recognised Australian restraining order; or
(c) a
foreign restraining order that is registered under the Mutual Assistance Act,
is taken, for the purposes of subsection (2)(e), not to be
covered by the order if it would not be reasonably practicable for the
Administrator to take custody and control of the property.
(1) If—
(a) because
of the operation of section 27(3), property that is covered by a
restraining order is taken for the purposes of section 27(2)(e) not to be
covered by the order; and
(b) as
a result, and for no other reason, the court refuses an application to make an
order under section 27(1),
the court may—
(c) exclude
the property from the restraining order; or
(d) if
the property is the only property covered by the restraining order—revoke the
restraining order.
(2) The court must not exclude the property or
revoke the order unless satisfied that the property is needed to meet one or
more of the following:
(a) the
reasonable living expenses of the person whose property is restrained;
(b) the
reasonable living expenses of any of the dependants of that person;
(c) the
reasonable business expenses of that person;
(d) a
specified debt incurred in good faith by that person.
(3) If the court excludes the property from, or
revokes, the restraining order, the DPP must give written notice of the
exclusion or revocation to—
(a) the
owner of the property (if the owner is known); and
(b) any
other person the DPP reasonably believes may have an interest in the property,
however, the DPP need not give notice to the applicant for the
order under section 27(1).
Division 2—Giving effect to restraining orders
29—Notice of a restraining order
(1) If
a court makes a restraining order covering property, the DPP must give written
notice of the order to the owner of the property.
(2) The DPP must, if the documents have not
already been given to the owner, include with the notice—
(a) a
copy of the application; and
(b) a
copy of any affidavit supporting the application.
(3) However, the court may, at the request of
the DPP, order—
(a) that
all or part of the application or affidavit is not to be given to the owner; or
(b) that
the DPP delay giving the notice (and any documents required to be included with
the notice) for a specified period,
if the court considers it appropriate in order to protect the
integrity of any investigation or prosecution.
(4) If
the court orders the DPP to delay giving the notice (and the documents required
to be included with the notice) for a specified period, the DPP must give the
notice or documents as soon as practicable after the end of the period.
30—Registering restraining orders
(1) A
registration authority that keeps a register of property of a particular kind
must, on the application of the DPP, record in the register particulars of a
restraining order covering property of that kind.
(2) If particulars of a restraining order
covering property are recorded in a register in accordance with this section,
each person who subsequently deals with the property is, in the absence of
evidence to the contrary—
(a) taken
not to be acting in good faith for the purposes of section 32; and
(b) taken
to have notice of the restraining order for the purposes of section 33.
31—Notifying registration authorities of exclusions from or variations to restraining orders
(1) If the DPP has made an application to a
registration authority under section 30 in relation to particular
property, the DPP must notify the registration authority if—
(a) the
property is no longer covered by the order because—
(i) it
is excluded from the order under section 34; or
(ii) the
property covered by the order is varied under section 40; or
(b) a
condition to which a restraining order is subject is varied under
section 40.
(2) A
registration authority must, on being notified under subsection (1), vary
the record of the restraining order made under section 30 accordingly.
32—Court may set aside a disposition contravening a restraining order
(1) The DPP may apply to the court to set aside
a disposition or dealing with property that contravenes a restraining order if
that disposition or dealing was—
(a) not
for sufficient consideration; or
(b) not
in favour of a person who acted in good faith.
(2) The
DPP must give, to each party to the disposition or dealing, written notice of
both the application and the grounds on which it seeks the setting aside of the
disposition or dealing.
(3) On an application under this section the
court may—
(a) set
aside the disposition or dealing from the day it occurred; or
(b) set
aside the disposition or dealing from the day on which the order is made and
declare the rights of any persons who acquired interests in the property on or
after the day of the disposition or dealing and before the day on which the
order is made.
33—Contravening restraining orders
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) the
person disposes of, or otherwise deals with, property covered by a restraining
order; and
(b) the
person knows or is reckless as to the fact that—
(i) the
property is covered by a restraining order; and
(ii) the disposition or dealing contravenes the
order.
Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) the
person disposes of, or otherwise deals with, property covered by a restraining
order; and
(b) the
disposition or dealing contravenes the order (whether or not the person knows
or is reckless as to that fact); and
(c) either—
(i) the
person was given notice of the order under section 29; or
(ii) particulars of the order were recorded in a
register under section 30.
Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
Division 3—Excluding property from
restraining orders
34—Court may exclude property from a restraining order
(1) The court to which an application for a
restraining order under section 24 was made may, when the order is made or
at a later time, exclude specified property from the order if—
(a) an
application is made under section 35 or 36; and
(b) the
court is satisfied that—
(i) the
property is neither proceeds nor an instrument of unlawful activity; and
(ii) the
owner's interest in the property was lawfully acquired; and
(iii) it
would not be contrary to the public interest for the property to be excluded
from the order.
(2) However—
(a) the
court must not exclude property from a restraining order to which
section 24(1)(a) or (b) applies unless satisfied that neither a pecuniary
penalty order nor a literary proceeds order could be made against—
(i) the
person who owns the property; or
(ii) if
the property is not owned by the suspect but is under his or her effective control—the
suspect; and
(b) the
court must not exclude property from a restraining order to which
section 24(1)(a) applies unless satisfied that the property could not be
subject to an instrument substitution declaration if the suspect were convicted
of the offence.
(1) A
person whose property would be covered by a restraining order may apply to the
court to exclude specified property from the restraining order within 14 days
after being notified of the application for the order.
(2) The
person must give written notice to the DPP of both the application and the
grounds on which the exclusion is sought.
(3) The DPP—
(a) may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application; and
(b) must
give the person notice of any grounds on which the DPP proposes to contest the
application.
36—Application to exclude property from a restraining order after notice of the order
(1) A
person may apply to the court to exclude specified property from a restraining order
at any time after being notified of the order.
(2) However, unless the court gives leave, the
person cannot apply if the person—
(a) appeared
at the hearing of the application for the restraining order; or
(b) was
notified of the application for the restraining order, but did not appear at
the hearing of the application.
(3) The court may give the person leave to
apply if the court is satisfied that—
(a) if
subsection (2)(a) applies—the person now has evidence relevant to the
person’s application that was not available to the person at the time of the
hearing; or
(b) if
subsection (2)(b) applies—the person had a good reason for not appearing;
or
(c) in
any case—there are special grounds for giving the leave.
(4) The
person must give written notice to the DPP of the application and the grounds
on which the exclusion is sought.
(5) The DPP—
(a) may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application; and
(b) must
give the person notice of any grounds on which the DPP proposes to contest the
application.
37—Application not to be heard unless DPP has had reasonable opportunity to conduct an examination
The court must not hear an application to
exclude specified property from the restraining order if—
(a) the
restraining order is in force; and
(b) the
DPP has not been given a reasonable opportunity to conduct examinations under
this Act.
38—Giving security etc to exclude property from a restraining order
A court may exclude specified property
from a restraining order that covers property if—
(a) in
the case of a restraining order that covers the property of the suspect—
(i) the
suspect applies to the court to exclude the property; and
(ii) the
suspect gives written notice of the application to the DPP; and
(iii) the
suspect gives security that is satisfactory to the court to meet any liability
that may be imposed on the suspect under this Act; or
(b) in
the case of a restraining order that covers the property of a person who is not
the suspect—
(i) the
person applies to the court to exclude the property; and
(ii) the
person gives written notice of the application to the DPP; and
(iii) the
person gives an undertaking concerning the person’s property that is
satisfactory to the court.
39—Court may order Administrator to take custody and control of property
The court that made a restraining order, or any other court that
could have made the restraining order, may order the Administrator to take
custody and control of property covered by a restraining order if the court is
satisfied that this is required.
(1) The court that made a restraining order, or
any other court that could have made the restraining order, may make any
ancillary orders that the court considers appropriate including (without
limiting the generality of this subsection) any of the following orders—
(a) an
order varying the property covered by the restraining order;
(b) an
order varying a condition to which the restraining order is subject;
(c) an
order relating to an undertaking required under section 26;
(d) an
order directing the owner of the property (including, if the owner is a body
corporate, a specified director of the body corporate) to give a sworn
statement to a specified person, within a specified period, setting out
particulars of, or dealings with, the property;
(e) if
the Administrator is ordered under section 39 to take custody and control
of property, an order—
(i) regulating
the manner in which the Administrator may exercise its powers or perform its
duties under the restraining order; or
(ii) determining
any question relating to the property, including a question relating to the liabilities
of the owner or the exercise of powers or the performance of duties of the
Administrator; or
(iii) directing
any person to do anything necessary or convenient to enable the Administrator
to take custody and control of the property;
(f) an
order giving directions about the operation of the restraining order and—
(i) a
forfeiture order that covers the same property as the restraining order; or
(ii) a
pecuniary penalty order or a literary proceeds order that relates to the same
serious offence as the restraining order;
(g) an
order requiring a person whose property is covered by a restraining order to do
anything necessary or convenient to bring the property within the State.
(2) The court may only make an ancillary order
on the application of—
(a) the
DPP; or
(b) the
owner of the property covered by the order; or
(c) if
the Administrator was ordered to take custody and control of the property—the
Administrator; or
(d) any
other person who has the leave of the court.
(3) A
person who applies for an ancillary order must give written notice of the
application to all other persons entitled to make such an application.
(4) A
court may, if the DPP requests, consider the application without notice having
been given under subsection (3).
(5) An ancillary order may be made—
(a) if
made by the court that made the restraining order—when making the restraining
order; or
(b) in
any case—at any time after the restraining order is made.
(6) An
order that is ancillary to a restraining order does not cease to have effect
merely because the restraining order, or part of it, ceases to be in force
under section 46(4) or (5).
41—Contravening ancillary orders relating to foreign property
A person who knowingly or recklessly
contravenes an order made under section 40(1)(g) is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years.
Division 5—Duration of restraining orders
42—When a restraining order comes into force
A restraining order is in force from the time it is made.
43—Application to revoke a restraining order
(1) A person who was not notified of the
application for a restraining order may apply to the court that made the order
to revoke the order—
(a) within
28 days after the person is notified that the order was made; or
(b) within
such longer period (not exceeding 3 months after the person is notified that
the order was made) as the court allows.
(2) The
applicant must give written notice to the DPP and, if a person other than the
DPP is appointed to act as the Administrator under this Act, the Administrator
of the application and the grounds on which the revocation is sought.
(3) The
court may revoke the restraining order if satisfied there are no grounds on
which to make the restraining order at the time of considering an application
under subsection (1).
(4) However,
the restraining order remains in force until the court revokes the order.
(5) The
DPP may adduce additional material to the court relating to the application to
revoke the restraining order.
44—Giving security etc to revoke a restraining order
A court may revoke a restraining order
that covers property if—
(a) in
the case of a restraining order that covers the property of the suspect—
(i) the
suspect applies to the court to revoke the order; and
(ii) the
suspect gives written notice of the application to the DPP; and
(iii) the
suspect gives security that is satisfactory to the court to meet any liability
that may be imposed on the suspect under this Act; or
(b) in
the case of a restraining order that covers the property of a person who is not
the suspect—
(i) the
person applies to the court to revoke the order; and
(ii) the
person gives written notice of the application to the DPP; and
(iii) the
person gives an undertaking concerning the person’s property that is
satisfactory to the court.
45—Notice of revocation of a restraining order
If a restraining order is revoked under
section 43 or 44, the DPP must give written notice of the revocation to—
(a) the
owner of any property covered by the restraining order (if the owner is known);
and
(b) any
other person the DPP reasonably believes may have an interest in the property,
however, the DPP need not give notice to the applicant for the
order.
46—Cessation of restraining orders
(1) A restraining order that relates to one or
more serious offences ceases to be in force 28 days after—
(a) all
charges that relate to the restraining order are withdrawn; or
(b) the
suspect is acquitted of all serious offences with which the suspect was
charged; or
(c) the
convictions for the serious offences of which the suspect was convicted are
quashed,
unless—
(d) there
is a confiscation order that relates to the serious offences; or
(e) there
is an application for a confiscation order that relates to the serious offences
before the court; or
(f) there
is an application under—
(i) section 64;
or
(ii) section 83;
or
(iii) section 125,
for confirmation of a forfeiture, or a confiscation order, that
relates to the serious offences; or
(g) the
suspect is charged with a related offence.
(2) A restraining order relating to property
ceases to be in force if, not more than 28 days after the order was made—
(a) the
suspect has not been convicted of, or charged with, the serious offence, or at
least one serious offence, to which the restraining order relates; and
(b) there
is no confiscation order or application for a confiscation order that relates
to the property.
(3) A restraining order ceases to be in force
in respect of property covered by the restraining order if—
(a) one
of the following occurs:
(i) the
court refuses an application for a forfeiture order that would have covered the
property and—
(A) the
time for an appeal against the refusal has expired without an appeal being
lodged; or
(B) an
appeal against the refusal has lapsed; or
(C) an
appeal against the refusal has been dismissed and finally disposed of;
(ii) the
court excludes the property from a forfeiture order;
(iii) a
forfeiture order that covers the property is discharged or ceases to have
effect;
(iv) the
court excludes the property under section 76 from forfeiture under Part 4
Division 2; and
(b) no
application is yet to be determined for—
(i) another
confiscation order relating to a serious offence to which the restraining order
relates; or
(ii) another
confiscation order relating to a related offence; and
(c) no
other confiscation order relating to an offence referred to in
paragraph (b) is in force.
(4) A
restraining order ceases to be in force to the extent that property that it
covers vests absolutely in the Crown under Part 4 Division 2 or Division 3.
(5) A restraining order that relates to one or
more serious offences ceases to be in force in respect of property covered by
the restraining order if—
(a) a
pecuniary penalty order or a literary proceeds order relates to the offence or
offences; and
(b) one
or more of the following occurs:
(i) the
pecuniary penalty order or the literary proceeds order is satisfied;
(ii) the
property is sold or disposed of to satisfy the pecuniary penalty order or
literary proceeds order;
(iii) the
pecuniary penalty order or the literary proceeds order is discharged or ceases
to have effect.
(6) Despite subsection (1), if—
(a) a
restraining order covers property of a person who is not a suspect; and
(b) the
property is an instrument of, but is not proceeds of, a serious offence to
which the order relates; and
(c) the
property is not subject to the effective control of another person who is a
suspect in relation to the order,
the restraining order ceases to be in force in respect of that
property if the suspect has not been charged with the serious offence or a
related offence within 28 days after the restraining order is made.
Subdivision 1—Forfeiture orders
(1) A court must, on application by the DPP,
make an order (a forfeiture order) that property specified in the
order is forfeited to the Crown if—
(a) a
person has been convicted of one or more serious offences and the court is
satisfied that the property to be specified in the order is proceeds of one or
more of those offences; or
(b) the
property to be specified in the order is covered by a restraining order made
under section 24(1)(b) that has been in force for at least 6 months and
the court is satisfied that the property is proceeds of one or more serious
offences committed by the person whose conduct (or suspected conduct) formed
the basis of the restraining order; or
(c) the
property to be specified in the order is covered by a restraining order made
under section 24(1)(c) that has been in force for at least 6 months and
the court is satisfied that—
(i) the
application for the order alleges that the property is proceeds of one or more
serious offences; and
(ii) no
application has been made under Part 3 Division 3 for the property to be
excluded from the restraining order, or that any such application has been
withdrawn; and
(iii) the
DPP has taken reasonable steps to identify and notify persons with an interest
in the property.
(2) For the purposes of making an order under
subsection (1)(b) or (c)—
(a) a
finding of the court under either of those paragraphs need not be based on a
finding as to the commission of a particular serious offence; and
(b) the
fact that a person has been acquitted of a serious offence with which the
person has been charged, or the raising of a doubt as to whether a person
engaged in conduct constituting a serious offence, does not affect the court’s
power to make the order under either of those paragraphs in relation to the offence;
and
(c) in
relation to an order under subsection (1)(c)—a finding of the court under
that paragraph need not be based on a finding that a particular person
committed any offence.
(3) A court may, on application by the DPP,
make an order (a forfeiture order) that property specified in the
order is forfeited to the Crown, if—
(a) a
person has been convicted of one or more serious offences the court is
satisfied that the property is an instrument of one or more of the offences or
is subject to an instrument substitution declaration under section 48; or
(b) the
property to be specified in the order is covered by a restraining order made
under section 24(1)(b) that has been in force for at least 6 months and
the court is satisfied that the property is an instrument of one or more
serious offences committed by the person whose conduct (or suspected conduct)
formed the basis of the restraining order; or
(c) the
property to be specified in the order is covered by a restraining order made
under section 24(1)(c) that has been in force for at least 6 months and
the court is satisfied that—
(i) the
application for the order alleges that the property is an instrument of one or
more serious offences; and
(ii) no
application has been made under Part 3 Division 3 for the property to be
excluded from the restraining order, or that any such application has been
withdrawn; and
(iii) the
DPP has taken reasonable steps to identify and notify persons with an interest
in the property.
(4) In considering whether it is appropriate to
make a forfeiture order under subsection (3) in respect of particular
property, the court may have regard to—
(a) any
hardship that may reasonably be expected to be caused to any person (other than
the suspect) by the operation of the order; and
(b) the
use that is ordinarily made, or was intended to be made, of the property; and
(c) the
gravity of the offence or offences concerned; and
(d) any
other matter the court thinks fit.
(5) If evidence is given, at the hearing of an
application for a forfeiture order under this section that relates to a
person's conviction for a serious offence, that property was in the possession
of a person at the time at which, or immediately after, the person committed a
serious offence to which the application relates—
(a) if
no evidence is given that tends to show that the property was not used in, or
in connection with, the commission of the offence—the court must presume that
the property was used in, or in connection with, the commission of the offence;
or
(b) in
any other case—the court must not make a forfeiture order against the property
unless it is satisfied that the property was used or intended to be used in, or
in connection with, the commission of the offence.
(6) An
application for a forfeiture order under this section that relates to a
person's conviction for a serious offence must be made before the end of the
period of 6 months after the conviction day.
(7) A court must not, if a person is taken
under section 5(1)(d) to have been convicted of a serious offence, make a
forfeiture order relating to the person’s conviction unless—
(a) the
court is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the person has
absconded; and
(b) either—
(i) the
person has been committed for trial for the offence; or
(ii) the
court is satisfied, having regard to all the evidence before the court, that a
reasonable jury, properly instructed, or the Magistrates Court (as the case
requires) could lawfully find the person guilty of the offence.
48—Instrument substitution declarations
A court determining an application for a
forfeiture order relating to a person's conviction of a serious offence may, on
the application of the DPP, declare property to be subject to an instrument
substitution declaration if satisfied that—
(a) the
convicted person had, at the time of the offence, an interest in the property;
and
(b) the
property is of the same nature or description as property that was an
instrument of the offence (whether or not the property is of the same value);
and
(c) the
property that was an instrument of the offence is not available for forfeiture
or is not able to be made the subject of an order for forfeiture.
49—Additional application for a forfeiture order
(1) The DPP cannot, unless the court gives
leave, apply for a forfeiture order under section 47 in relation to a
serious offence if—
(a) an
application has previously been made under that section for the forfeiture of
the property in relation to the offence; and
(b) the
application has been finally determined on the merits.
(2) The court must not give leave unless it is
satisfied that—
(a) the
property to which the new application relates was identified only after the
first application was determined; or
(b) necessary
evidence became available only after the first application was determined; or
(c) it
is in the interests of justice to grant the leave.
(3) To
avoid doubt, the DPP may apply for a forfeiture order against property in
relation to a serious offence even though an application has previously been
made for a pecuniary penalty order or a literary proceeds order in relation to
the offence.
(1) The DPP must give written notice of an
application for a forfeiture order—
(a) if
the order is sought relating to a person’s conviction of a serious offence—to
the person; and
(b) to
any other person—
(i) who
claims an interest in; or
(ii) who
the DPP reasonably believes may have an interest in,
the property covered by the application.
(2) However,
a court to which an application for a forfeiture order is made may, on the
application of the DPP, dispense with the requirement to give notice to a
person under subsection (1) if the court is satisfied that the person has
absconded in connection with an offence.
(3) The court may, at any time before finally
determining an application for a forfeiture order—
(a) direct
the DPP to give or publish notice of the application to a specified person or
class of persons; and
(b) specify
the time and manner in which the notice is to be given or published.
(1) A
person who claims an interest in property covered by an application for a
forfeiture order may appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the
application.
(2) If the application relates to a person’s
conviction of a serious offence, a court may, in determining the application,
have regard to—
(a) the
transcript of any proceedings against the person for—
(i) that
offence; or
(ii) if
the person is taken to be convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(c)—the other offence referred to in that paragraph; and
(b) any
evidence given in the proceedings.
(3) The
court may make a forfeiture order if a person entitled to be given notice of
the relevant application fails to appear at the hearing of the application.
(1) The
court hearing an application for a forfeiture order may, on the application or
with the consent of the DPP, amend the application.
(2) However, the court must not amend the
application to include additional property in the application unless—
(a) the
court is satisfied that—
(i) the
property was not reasonably capable of identification when the application was
originally made; or
(ii) necessary
evidence became available only after the application was originally made; or
(b) the
forfeiture order applied for is an order to which section 47(1)(b) or (c)
or (3)(b) or (c) applies and the court is satisfied that—
(i) including
the additional property in the application for the order might have prejudiced
the investigation of, or the prosecution of a person for, an offence; or
(ii) it
is for any other reason appropriate to grant the application to amend.
(3) The
DPP must, on applying for an amendment to include additional property in the
application, give written notice of the application to amend to any person whom
the DPP reasonably believes may have an interest in the additional property.
(4) However,
the court may, on the application of the DPP, dispense with the requirement to
give notice to a person under subsection (3) if the court is satisfied
that the person has absconded in connection with an offence.
(5) If
the forfeiture order applied for is an order to which section 47(1)(a) or
(3)(a) applies, any person who claims an interest in that additional property
may appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application to amend.
53—Forfeiture orders can extend to other interests in property
(1) A court may, in specifying an interest in
property in a forfeiture order, specify any other interests in the property
(regardless of whose they are) if—
(a) the
amount received from disposing of the combined interests would be likely to be
greater than the amount received from disposing of each of the interests
separately; or
(b) disposing
of the interests separately would be impracticable or significantly more
difficult than disposing of the combined interests.
(2) If
a court specifies other interests under subsection (1), the court may make
such ancillary orders as it thinks fit for the protection of a person having
one or more of those other interests.
(3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2),
an ancillary order may include—
(a) an
order directing the Crown to pay the person a specified amount as the value of
the person’s interest in the property; or
(b) an
order directing that specified other interests in the property be transferred
to the person.
(4) In deciding whether to make an ancillary
order, the court must have regard to—
(a) the
nature, extent and value of the person’s interest in the property concerned;
and
(b) if
the court is aware that any other person claims an interest in the property—the
nature, extent and value of the interest; and
(c) any
other matter that the court considers relevant.
54—Forfeiture orders must specify the value of forfeited property
A court must specify the amount it considers to be the value, at
the time the order is made, of the property (other than money) specified in the
forfeiture order.
55—Declaration by court in relation to buying back interests in forfeited property
A court that makes a forfeiture order may,
if satisfied that—
(a) it
would not be contrary to the public interest for a person’s interest in the
property to be transferred to the person; and
(b) there
is no other reason why the person’s interest should not be transferred to the
person,
by order—
(c) declare
the nature, extent and value (at the time when the order is made) of the
person's interest; and
(d) declare
that the interest may be excluded under section 72 from the operation of
the forfeiture order.
56—Court may make supporting directions
(1) A
court that makes a forfeiture order may give any directions that are necessary
or convenient for giving effect to the order.
(2) Without
limiting the generality of subsection (1), a direction may, for a
forfeiture order specifying registrable property, include a direction to an
officer of the court to do anything necessary and reasonable to obtain
possession of any document necessary for the transfer of the property.
Subdivision 2—Reducing the effect of forfeiture orders
57—Relieving certain dependants from hardship
(1) A court making a forfeiture order
specifying a person’s property must make an order directing the Crown to pay a
specified amount to a specified dependant, or dependants, of the person if—
(a) the
forfeiture order is not one to which section 47(1)(a) applies; and
(b) the
court is satisfied—
(i) the
forfeiture order would cause hardship to the dependant; and
(ii) the
specified amount would relieve that hardship; and
(iii) if
the dependant is aged at least 18 years—the dependant had no knowledge (at the
time of the conduct) of the person’s conduct that is the subject of the
forfeiture order.
(2) The specified amount must not exceed the
difference between—
(a) the
amount the court considers likely to be received from disposing of the person’s
property under the forfeiture order; and
(b) the
amount the court considers likely to be the costs of administering this Act
(referred to in section 209(1)) in connection with the forfeiture order.
58—Making exclusion orders before forfeiture order made
(1) A court that is hearing, or is to hear, an
application for a forfeiture order, must make an order excluding property from
forfeiture (an exclusion order) if—
(a) a
person applies for the exclusion order in accordance with section 60; and
(b) the
application for a forfeiture order specifies the applicant’s property; and
(c) if
the forfeiture order would be one to which section 47(1)(a) or (3)(a)
applies, the court is satisfied that—
(i) the
applicant was not involved in the commission of a serious offence to which the
application for a forfeiture order relates; and
(ii) the
property to be specified in the exclusion order is neither proceeds nor an
instrument of the offence; and
(d) if
the forfeiture order would be one to which section 47(1)(b) or (c) or
(3)(b) or (c) applies, the court is satisfied that the property to be specified
in the exclusion order is neither proceeds nor an instrument of unlawful
activity.
(2) An exclusion order under
subsection (1) must—
(a) specify
the nature, extent and value (at the time of making the order) of the property
concerned; and
(b) direct
that the property be excluded from the operation of the forfeiture order.
(3) An
applicant for an exclusion order under subsection (1) must give written
notice to the DPP of the application and the grounds on which the order is
sought.
(4) The DPP—
(a) may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application; and
(b) must
give the applicant notice of any grounds on which it proposes to contest the
application.
(5) However,
the DPP need not give notice under subsection (4)(b) until it has had a
reasonable opportunity to examine the applicant under Part 6 Division 1.
(6) An
application for an exclusion order under subsection (1) must not be heard
until the DPP has had a reasonable opportunity to examine the applicant under
Part 6 Division 1.
59—Making exclusion orders after forfeiture
(1) A court that made a forfeiture order must
make an order excluding property from forfeiture (an exclusion order)
if—
(a) a
person applies for the exclusion order in accordance with section 60; and
(b) the
forfeiture order specifies the applicant’s property; and
(c) if
the forfeiture order was one to which section 47(1)(a) or (3)(a) applies,
the court is satisfied that—
(i) the
applicant was not involved in the commission of a serious offence to which the
forfeiture order relates; and
(ii) the
property to be specified in the exclusion order is neither proceeds nor an
instrument of the offence; and
(d) if
the forfeiture order was one to which section 47(1)(b) or (c) or (3)(b) or
(c) applies, the court is satisfied that the property to be specified in the
exclusion order is neither proceeds nor an instrument of unlawful activity.
(2) An exclusion order under
subsection (1) must—
(a) specify
the nature, extent and value (at the time of making the order) of the property
concerned; and
(b) direct
that the property be excluded from the operation of the forfeiture order; and
(c) if
the property has vested (in law or equity) in the Crown under this Division and
is yet to be disposed of—direct the Crown to transfer the property to the
applicant; and
(d) if
the property has vested (in law or equity) in the Crown under this Division and
has been disposed of—direct the Crown to pay the applicant an amount equal to
the value specified under paragraph (a).
(3) An
applicant for an exclusion order under subsection (1) must give written
notice to the DPP of the application and the grounds on which the order is
sought.
(4) The DPP—
(a) may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application; and
(b) must
give the applicant notice of any grounds on which it proposes to contest the
application.
(5) However,
the DPP need not give notice under subsection (4)(b) until it has had a
reasonable opportunity to examine the applicant under Part 6 Division 1.
(6) An
application for an exclusion order under subsection (1) must not be heard
until the DPP has had a reasonable opportunity to examine the applicant under
Part 6 Division 1.
60—Applying for exclusion orders
(1) A
person may apply for an exclusion order if a forfeiture order that could
specify the person’s property has been applied for, but is yet to be made.
(2) A person cannot, except with leave of the
court, apply for an exclusion order after a forfeiture order specifying the
person’s property has been made if—
(a) the
person—
(i) appeared
at the hearing of that application; or
(ii) was
given notice of the application for the forfeiture order, but did not appear at
the hearing of that application; or
(b) 6
months have elapsed since the forfeiture order was made.
(3) The court may only give leave to apply
under subsection (2) if satisfied that—
(a) if
subsection (2)(a)(i) applies—the person now has evidence relevant to the
person’s application that was not available to the person at the time of the
hearing; or
(b) if
subsection (2)(a)(ii) applies—the person had a good reason for not
appearing; or
(c) if
subsection (2)(b) applies—the person’s failure to apply was not due to any
neglect by the person; or
(d) in
any case—there are special grounds for giving the leave.
(1) A court that made a forfeiture order must
make an order (a compensation order) if—
(a) a
person has applied for the compensation order; and
(b) the
forfeiture order specifies the applicant’s property as proceeds of a serious
offence to which the forfeiture order relates; and
(c) the
court is satisfied that, when the property first became proceeds of the serious
offence, a proportion of the value of the property was not acquired using the
proceeds of any unlawful activity.
(2) A compensation order must—
(a) specify
the proportion of the value of the property not acquired using the proceeds of
any offence referred to in subsection (1)(c); and
(b) direct
the Crown to—
(i) if
the property has not been disposed of—dispose of the property; and
(ii) pay
the applicant an amount equal to that proportion of the difference between the
amount received from disposing of the property and the total of any costs of
administering this Act (of a kind referred to in section 209(1)) in
connection with the forfeiture order.
(3) An
applicant for a compensation order must give written notice to the DPP of the
application and the grounds on which the order is sought.
(4) The DPP—
(a) may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application; and
(b) must
give the applicant notice of any grounds on which it proposes to contest the
application.
62—Applying for compensation orders
(1) Subject
to this section, a person whose property is specified in a forfeiture order may
apply for a compensation order.
(2) If a person was given notice of an
application for a forfeiture order, the person cannot apply for a compensation
order relating to that forfeiture order unless—
(a) the
person applies for the compensation order within 6 months after the forfeiture
order was made; and
(b) the
court gives leave.
(3) If a person was not given notice of an
application for a forfeiture order, the person cannot apply for a compensation
order relating to a forfeiture order unless—
(a) the
person applies for the compensation order within 6 months after the forfeiture
order was made; or
(b) the
court gives leave.
Subdivision 3—The effect of acquittals and quashing of convictions
63—Certain forfeiture orders unaffected by acquittal or quashing of conviction
A forfeiture order made under
section 47(1)(b) or (c) or (3)(b) or (c) against a person in relation to a
serious offence is not affected if—
(a) having
been charged with the offence, the person is acquitted; or
(b) the
person is convicted of the offence and the conviction is subsequently quashed.
64—Discharge of conviction based forfeiture order on quashing of conviction
(1) A forfeiture order made under
section 47(1)(a) or (3)(a) in relation to a person’s conviction of a
serious offence is discharged if—
(a) the
person’s conviction of the offence is subsequently quashed (whether or not the
order relates to the person’s conviction of other offences that have not been
quashed); and
(b) the
DPP does not, within 14 days after the conviction is quashed, apply to the
court that made the order for the order to be confirmed.
(2) However, unless a court decides otherwise
on an application under subsection (1), the quashing of the conviction
does not affect the forfeiture order—
(a) for
14 days after the conviction is quashed; or
(b) if
the DPP makes an application under subsection (1).
65—Notice of application for confirmation of forfeiture order
(1) The DPP must give written notice of an
application for confirmation of the forfeiture order to—
(a) the
person whose conviction was quashed; and
(b) any
person—
(i) who
claims, or prior to the forfeiture claimed, an interest in property covered by
the forfeiture order; and
(ii) whom
the DPP reasonably believes may have had an interest in property covered by the
forfeiture order before the forfeiture.
(2) The court may, at any time before finally
determining the application—
(a) direct
the DPP to give or publish notice of the application to a specified person or
class of persons; and
(b) specify
the time and manner in which the notice is to be given or published.
66—Procedure on application for confirmation of forfeiture order
(1) A
person who claims an interest in property covered by the forfeiture order may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application for confirmation
of the order.
(2) A court may, in determining the
application, have regard to—
(a) the
transcript of any proceeding against the person for—
(i) the
serious offence of which the person was convicted; or
(ii) if
the person was taken to be convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(c)—the other offence referred to in that paragraph,
including any appeals relating to the conviction; and
(b) any
evidence given in the proceeding.
67—Court may confirm forfeiture order
A court may confirm a forfeiture order made under
section 47(1)(a) or (3)(a) if satisfied that the court could, at the time
it made that order, have instead made a forfeiture order under some other
provision of section 47 (if the DPP had applied for an order under that
other provision).
68—Effect of court’s decision on confirmation of forfeiture order
(1) If
a court confirms the forfeiture order under section 67, the order is taken
not to be affected by the quashing of the person’s conviction of the serious
offence.
(2) If
the court decides not to confirm the forfeiture order, the order is discharged.
The Administrator must not, during the period starting on the day
after the person’s conviction of the serious offence was quashed and ending
when the court confirms, or decides not to confirm, the forfeiture order, do
any of the things required under section 93 in relation to property
covered by the order, or amounts received from the disposal of the property.
70—Giving notice if a forfeiture order is discharged on appeal or by quashing of a conviction
(1) If—
(a) a
forfeiture order that covered particular property is discharged by a court
hearing an appeal against the making of the order; or
(b) a
forfeiture order that covered particular property is discharged under
section 64 or section 68(2),
then the DPP—
(c) must,
as soon as practicable, give written notice of the discharge to any person the
DPP reasonably believes may have had an interest in the property immediately
before the order was made; and
(d) must,
if required by a court, give or publish notice of the discharge to a specified
person or class of persons.
(2) The
court may specify the time and manner in which a notice under
subsection (1)(d) is to be given or published.
(3) A
notice given under this section must include a statement to the effect that a
person claiming to have had an interest in that property may apply under
section 71 for the transfer of the interest, or its value, to the person.
71—Returning property etc following the discharge of a forfeiture order
(1) If—
(a) a
forfeiture order has been discharged in relation to property specified in the
forfeiture order—
(i) by
a court hearing an appeal against the making of the order; or
(ii) under
section 64 or 68; and
(b) a
person who had an interest in the property immediately before the order was
made applies in writing to the Minister for the transfer of the interest to the
person,
the Minister must—
(c) if
the property is vested in the Crown—cause an interest in the property
equivalent to the interest held by the person immediately before the order was
made to be transferred to the person; or
(d) if
the property is no longer vested in the Crown—cause an amount equal to the
value of the interest held by the person immediately before the order was made
in the property to be paid to the person.
(2) The Minister may do or authorise the doing
of anything necessary or convenient to effect a transfer, including—
(a) executing
any instrument; and
(b) applying
for registration of an interest in the property on any appropriate register.
Subdivision 4—Buying back interests in forfeited property etc
72—A person may buy back interest in forfeited property
(1) The
payment to the Crown, while the property is still vested in the Crown, of an
amount declared under section 55(c) to be the value of the person's
interest, discharges the forfeiture order to the extent to which it relates to
the interest and the Minister must cause the interest to be transferred to the
person in whom it was vested immediately before the property was forfeited.
(2) The Minister may do or authorise the doing
of anything necessary or convenient to effect a transfer, including—
(a) executing
any instrument; and
(b) applying
for registration of an interest in the property on an appropriate register.
73—A person may buy out another person's interest in forfeited property
The Minister must cause an interest in
property to be transferred to a person if—
(a) the
property is forfeited to the Crown under this Division; and
(b) the
interest is required to be transferred to the person under section 71(1)
or 72(1), or under a direction under section 59(2)(c); and
(c) the
person’s interest in the property, immediately before the forfeiture, was not
the only interest in the property; and
(d) the
person gives written notice to each other person who had an interest in the
property immediately before the forfeiture that—
(i) the
person intends to purchase that other interest from the Crown; and
(ii) the
other person may, within 21 days after receiving the notice, lodge a written
objection to the purchase of the interest with the Minister; and
(e) no
person served with a notice under paragraph (d) in relation to the
interest lodges a written objection under that paragraph; and
(f) the
person pays to the Crown, while the property is still vested in the Crown, an
amount equal to the value of the interest.
Division 2—Forfeiture on conviction of a
serious offence
Subdivision 1—Forfeiture on conviction of a serious offence
(1) Property is forfeited to the Crown at the
end of the relevant period if—
(a) a
person is convicted of a serious offence; and
(b) either—
(i) at
the end of the relevant period, the property is covered by a restraining order
that relates to the offence; or
(ii) the
property was covered by a restraining order that relates to the offence, but
the property was excluded, or the order revoked, under section 38 or
section 44; and
(c) the
property is not subject to an order under section 76 excluding the
property from forfeiture under this Division.
(2) For the purposes of this section, it does
not matter whether—
(a) the
restraining order was made before or after the person’s conviction of the
serious offence; or
(b) immediately
before forfeiture, the property is the person’s property or another person’s
property.
(3) However,
this section does not apply if the person is taken to have been convicted under
section 5(1)(d).
(4) A
restraining order in relation to a related offence with which the person has
been charged, or is proposed to be charged, is taken, for the purposes of this
section, to be a restraining order in relation to the serious offence of which
the person was convicted.
(5) If—
(a) particular
property is excluded from a restraining order under section 38, or a
restraining order that covered particular property is revoked under
section 44; and
(b) the
security referred to in section 38(a)(iii) or section 44(a)(iii) (as
the case requires) in connection with the exclusion or revocation is still in
force,
the security is taken, for the purposes of this section, to be the
property referred to in subsection (1).
(6) In this section—
relevant period means—
(a) the
6 month period starting on the day of the conviction; or
(b) if
an extension order is in force at the end of that period—the extended period
relating to the extension order.
75—Making an extension order extending the period before property is forfeited
(1) The court that made the restraining order
referred to in section 74(1)(b) may make an order (an extension
order) specifying an extended period for the purposes of that section
if—
(a) an
application for the order is made within 6 months after the start of the day of
the relevant conviction; and
(b) the
applicant has also applied to the court under this Act to exclude property from
the restraining order; and
(c) the
court is satisfied that the applicant made the application to exclude property
from the restraining order without undue delay, and has since diligently
followed up that application.
(2) The
extended period must end not later than 15 months from the start of the day of
the relevant conviction.
(3) The
extension order stops being in force if the application to exclude property
from the restraining order is finally determined before the end of the 6 month
period starting on the day of the relevant conviction.
(4) The
extended period ends if the application to exclude property from the
restraining order is finally determined before the end of the extended period.
76—Excluding property from forfeiture under this Division
(1) The court that made the restraining order
referred to in section 74(1)(b) may make an order excluding particular
property from forfeiture under this Division if—
(a) the
person referred to in section 74(1)(a)—
(i) applies
for the order; and
(ii) owns
the property; and
(iii) has
been convicted of a serious offence to which the restraining order relates; and
(b) the
property is covered by the restraining order; and
(c) the
court is satisfied that—
(i) the
property is not proceeds of unlawful activity; and
(ii) the
defendant’s interest in the property was lawfully acquired; and
(iii) it
would not be contrary to the public interest for the property to be excluded
from such forfeiture.
(2) To
avoid doubt, an order under this section cannot be made in relation to property
if the property has already been forfeited under this Division.
(3) The
person must give written notice to the DPP of both the application and the
grounds on which the order is sought.
(4) The DPP—
(a) may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application; and
(b) must
give the applicant notice of any grounds on which it proposes to contest the
application.
77—Court may declare that property has been forfeited under this Division
The court that made the restraining order
referred to in section 74(1)(b) may declare that particular property has
been forfeited under this Division if—
(a) the
DPP applies to the court for the declaration; and
(b) the
court is satisfied that the property is forfeited under this Division.
Subdivision 2—Recovery of forfeited property
78—Court may make orders relating to transfer of forfeited property etc
If property is forfeited to the Crown
under section 74, the court that made the restraining order referred to in
section 74(1)(b) may, if—
(a) a
person who claims an interest in the property applies under section 80 for
an order under this section; and
(b) the
court is satisfied that—
(i) the
person was not involved in the commission of the serious offence to which the
forfeiture relates; and
(ii) the
person’s interest in the property—
(A) is
not subject to the effective control of the person whose conviction caused the
forfeiture; and
(B) is
not proceeds of the serious offence or an instrument of the offence; and
(c) the
court is satisfied that—
(i) the
property was not used in, or in connection with, an unlawful activity and was
not derived or realised, directly or indirectly, by any person from an unlawful
activity; and
(ii) the
applicant acquired the property lawfully; and
(iii) the
applicant is not the person convicted of the serious offence to which the
forfeiture relates,
by order—
(d) declare
the nature, extent and value of the applicant’s interest in the property; and
(e) —
(i) if
the interest is still vested in the Crown—direct the Crown to transfer the
interest to the applicant; or
(ii) declare
that there is payable by the Crown to the applicant an amount equal to the
value declared under paragraph (d).
79—Court may make orders relating to buying back forfeited property
If property is forfeited to the Crown
under section 74, the court that made the restraining order referred to in
section 74(1)(b) may, if—
(a) a
person who claims an interest in the property applies under section 80 for
an order under this section; and
(b) the
court is satisfied that—
(i) it
would not be contrary to the public interest for the person's interest to be
transferred to the person; and
(ii) there
is no other reason why the person's interest should not be transferred to the
person,
by order—
(c) declare
the nature, extent and value (as at the time when the order is made) of the
interest; and
(d) declare
that the forfeiture ceases to operate in relation to the person's interest if
payment is made under section 72.
80—Applying for orders under sections 78 and 79
(1) An
application for an order under section 78 or 79 must be made before the
end of the period of 6 months commencing on the day on which the property to
which the application relates is forfeited to the Crown.
(2) However,
the court may give a person leave to apply after the end of that period if the
court is satisfied that the delay in making the application is not due to
neglect on the part of the person.
(3) A person who was given notice of—
(a) proceedings
for the application for the restraining order by virtue of which the property
is forfeited; or
(b) the
making of the restraining order,
must not apply for an order under section 78 or 79 relating
to the property.
(4) However,
the court may give a person leave to apply if the court is satisfied that the
person’s failure to seek to have the property excluded from the forfeiture by
an order under section 76 was not due to any neglect on the part of the
person.
81—A person may buy back interest in forfeited property
(1) If—
(a) property
is forfeited to the Crown under section 74; and
(b) a
court makes an order under section 79 in respect of an interest in the
property; and
(c) the
amount specified in the order as the value of the interest is, while the
interest is still vested in the Crown, paid to the Crown,
the Administrator must cause the interest to be transferred to the
person in whom it was vested immediately before the property was forfeited to
the Crown.
(2) The Administrator may do or authorise the
doing of anything necessary or convenient to effect a transfer, including—
(a) executing
any instrument; and
(b) applying
for registration of an interest in the property on an appropriate register.
82—A person may buy out another person's interest in forfeited property
The Administrator must cause an interest
in property to be transferred to a person if—
(a) the
property is forfeited to the Crown under section 74; and
(b) the
interest is required to be transferred to the person under this Division; and
(c) the
person’s interest in the property, immediately before the forfeiture, was not
the only interest in the property; and
(d) the
person gives written notice to each other person who had an interest in the
property immediately before the forfeiture that—
(i) the
person intends to purchase the other interest from the Crown; and
(ii) the
other person may, within 21 days after receiving the notice, lodge a written
objection to the purchase of the interest with the Administrator; and
(e) no
person served with notice under paragraph (d) in relation to the interest
lodges a written objection under that paragraph; and
(f) the
purchaser pays to the Crown, while the interest is still vested in the Crown,
an amount equal to the value of the interest.
Subdivision 3—The effect of acquittals and quashing of convictions
83—The effect on forfeiture of convictions being quashed
(1) If, after forfeiture of property under
section 74 in relation to a person's conviction of a serious offence—
(a) the
person’s conviction is subsequently quashed; and
(b) the
forfeiture does not also relate to the person’s conviction of other offences
that have not been quashed; and
(c) the
DPP does not, within 14 days after the conviction is quashed, apply to the
court that made the restraining order referred to in section 74(1)(b) for
the forfeiture to be confirmed,
the Administrator must, as soon as practicable after 14 days after
the conviction is quashed have elapsed—
(d) if
the property is vested in the Crown—cause an interest in the property
equivalent to the interest held by the person immediately before the order was
made to be transferred to the person; or
(e) if
the property is no longer vested in the Crown—cause an amount equal to the
value of the interest held by the person immediately before the order was made
in the property to be paid to the person.
(2) If—
(a) the
DPP makes an application of the kind referred subsection (1)(c); and
(b) the
court decides not to confirm the forfeiture,
the Administrator must, as soon as practicable after the
application is determined—
(c) if
the property is vested in the Crown—cause an interest in the property
equivalent to the interest held by the person immediately before the order was
made to be transferred to the person; or
(d) if
the property is no longer vested in the Crown—cause an amount equal to the
value of the interest held by the person immediately before the order was made
in the property to be paid to the person.
(3) The Administrator may do or authorise the
doing of anything necessary or convenient to effect a transfer, including—
(a) executing
any instrument; and
(b) applying
for registration of an interest in the property on any appropriate register.
84—Notice of application for confirmation of forfeiture
(1) The DPP must give written notice of an
application for confirmation of the forfeiture to—
(a) the
person whose conviction was quashed; and
(b) any
person—
(i) who
claims, or prior to the forfeiture claimed, an interest in the forfeited
property; and
(ii) whom
the DPP reasonably believes may have had an interest in the forfeited property
before the forfeiture.
(2) A court may, at any time before finally
determining the application—
(a) direct
the DPP to give or publish notice of the application to a specified person or
class of persons; and
(b) specify
the time and manner in which the notice is to be given or published.
85—Procedure on application for confirmation of forfeiture
(1) A
person who claims an interest in property covered by the forfeiture may appear
and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application for confirmation of the
forfeiture.
(2) A court may, in determining the
application, have regard to—
(a) the
transcript of any proceeding against the person for—
(i) the
serious offence of which the person was convicted; or
(ii) if
the person was taken to be convicted of that offence because of
section 5(1)(c)—the other offence referred to in that paragraph,
including any appeals relating to the conviction; and
(b) any
evidence given in the proceeding.
86—Court may confirm forfeiture
The court may confirm the forfeiture if satisfied that it could
make a forfeiture order under section 47 in relation to the serious
offence in relation to which the person’s conviction was quashed if the DPP
were to apply for an order under that section.
87—Effect of court’s decision on confirmation of forfeiture
If a court confirms the forfeiture under section 86, the
forfeiture is taken not to be affected by the quashing of the person’s
conviction of the serious offence.
The Administrator must not, during the period starting on the day
after the person’s conviction of the serious offence was quashed and ending
when the court confirms, or decides not to confirm, the forfeiture, do any of
the things required under section 93 in relation to the forfeited
property, or amounts received from the disposal of the property.
89—Giving notice if forfeiture ceases to have effect on quashing of a conviction
(1) If property was forfeited under
section 74 but section 83(1) or (2) applies to the forfeiture, then
the DPP—
(a) must,
as soon as practicable after the forfeiture ceases to have effect, give written
notice of the cessation to any person the DPP reasonably believes may have had
an interest in that property immediately before the forfeiture; and
(b) must,
if required by a court, give or publish notice of the cessation to a specified
person or class of persons.
(2) The
court may specify the time and manner in which a notice under
subsection (1)(b) is to be given or published.
90—What property is forfeited and when
(1) Subject to this section—
(a) property
specified in a forfeiture order vests absolutely in the Crown at the time the
order is made; and
(b) property
forfeited under section 74 vests absolutely in the Crown at the time of
the forfeiture.
(2) If property specified in the forfeiture
order, or forfeited under section 74, is registrable property—
(a) the
property vests in equity in the Crown, but does not vest in the Crown at law
until the applicable registration requirements have been complied with; and
(b) the
DPP has power to do anything necessary or convenient to give notice of, or
otherwise protect, the Crown’s equitable interest in the property; and
(c) the
Crown is entitled to be registered as the owner of the property; and
(d) the
Administrator has power to do, or authorise the doing of, anything necessary or
convenient to obtain the registration of the Crown as the owner.
(3) If a person—
(a) was,
immediately before his or her death, the joint owner of property specified in
the forfeiture order; and
(b) died
before the order was made, but—
(i) after
the DPP applied for the order; or
(ii) while
a restraining order covering the property was in force,
that property is taken to have vested in the Crown immediately
before the person’s death (and any such restraining order is also taken to have
continued to apply to the property as if the person had not died).
(4) If—
(a) a
person who is convicted of a serious offence was, immediately before his or her
death, the joint owner of property; and
(b) the
period that would apply under section 74 if the property were subject to
forfeiture under that section in relation to the conviction had not ended
before the person's death; and
(c) the
period had ended immediately before the person's death the property would have
been forfeited under section 74,
the property is taken to have vested in the Crown immediately
before the person's death.
(5) An
action by the DPP under subsection (2)(b) is not a dealing for the
purposes of section 91(1) or section 92(1).
(6) The
Administrator’s powers under subsection (2)(d) include executing any
instrument required to be executed by a person transferring an interest in
property of that kind.
91—When the Crown can begin dealing with property specified in a forfeiture order
(1) The Crown may only dispose of, or otherwise
deal with, property specified in a forfeiture order after, and only if the
order is still in force—
(a) —
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the order—the end of the period; or
(ii) if
an appeal against the order has been lodged within the period provided for
lodging an appeal against the order—the appeal lapses or is finally determined;
or
(b) if
the order was made in relation to a person’s conviction of a serious offence—
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the conviction—the end of the period; or
(ii) if
an appeal against the conviction has been lodged—the appeal lapses or is
finally determined,
whichever is the later.
(2) However,
the Crown may dispose of, or otherwise deal with, property specified in a
forfeiture order at an earlier time with the leave of, and in accordance with
any directions of, the court.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)—
(a) if
the person is to be taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(b)—an appeal against the finding of the person guilty of the
offence is taken to be an appeal against the conviction; and
(b) if
the person is to be taken to have been convicted of the offence because of
section 5(1)(c)—an appeal against the person’s conviction of the other
offence referred to in that paragraph is taken to be an appeal against the
conviction.
92—When the Crown can begin dealing with property forfeited under section 74
(1) The Crown may only dispose of, or otherwise
deal with, property forfeited under section 74 in relation to a person’s
conviction of a serious offence if—
(a) the
period applying under section 74(6) has come to an end; and
(b) the
conviction has not been quashed by that time.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1),
the Crown may dispose of or otherwise deal with the property—
(a) if
the conviction is one in relation to which neither section 5(1)(b) nor (c)
applies—
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the conviction—after the end of the period; or
(ii) if
an appeal against the conviction has been lodged within the period provided for
lodging an appeal against the conviction—after the appeal lapses or is finally
determined; or
(b) if
the person is taken to have been convicted because of section 5(1)(b)—
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the finding of the person guilty of the serious offence—after the end
of the period; or
(ii) if
an appeal has been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the finding of the person guilty of the serious offence—after the
appeal lapses or is finally determined; or
(c) if
the person is taken to have been convicted because of section 5(1)(c)—
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the person’s conviction of the other offence referred to in that
paragraph—after the end of the period; or
(ii) if
an appeal has been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the person’s conviction of the other offence referred to in that
paragraph—after the appeal lapses or is finally determined.
(3) However,
the Crown may dispose of, or otherwise deal with, the property earlier with the
leave of, and in accordance with any directions of, the court.
93—How forfeited property must be dealt with
(1) The Administrator must—
(a) in
the case of a forfeiture order—if the order is still in force at the later time
referred to in section 91(1); or
(b) in
the case of a forfeiture under section 74—after the relevant period
referred to in that section,
as soon as practicable dispose of property (other than money)
specified in the order or forfeited under section 74.
(2) Any
amounts received from the disposal of property in accordance with this section
must, along with any monetary amounts specified in the forfeiture order or
forfeited under section 74, then be dealt with in accordance with
section 209.
94—Dealings with forfeited property
A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) the
person knows that a forfeiture order has been made in respect of registrable
property; and
(b) the
person disposes of, or otherwise deals with, the property before the Crown’s
interest has been registered on the appropriate register (whether or not the
person knows the Crown's interest has not yet been registered); and
(c) the forfeiture order has not been
discharged.
Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years.
Part 5—Other confiscation orders
Division 1—Pecuniary penalty orders
Subdivision 1—Pecuniary penalty orders
95—Making pecuniary penalty orders
(1) A court must, on application by the DPP,
make an order ( a pecuniary penalty order) requiring a specified
person to pay an amount determined under Subdivision 2 to the Crown if
satisfied that the person has been convicted of, or has committed, a serious
offence and—
(a) the
person has derived benefits from the commission of the offence; or
(b) an
instrument of the offence is owned by the person or is under his or her
effective control.
(2) The
court’s power to make a pecuniary penalty order in relation to benefits derived
from the commission of a serious offence is not affected by the existence of
another confiscation order in relation to the offence.
(3) The court cannot make a pecuniary penalty
order in relation to an instrument of a serious offence if—
(a) a
pecuniary penalty has been imposed in respect of the instrument under this Act
or any other law; or
(b) the
instrument has been forfeited, or an application has been made for a forfeiture
order that would cover the instrument, under this Act or any other law in
relation to the offence.
(4) A
literary proceeds amount is a pecuniary penalty for the purposes of
subsection (3)(a).
(5) An application for a pecuniary penalty
order must be made—
(a) before
the end of the period of 9 months commencing on the conviction day; or
(b) if
an extension order is in force at the end of that period—before the end of the
period of 3 months commencing on the day the extended period relating to the extension
order ends.
(6) An
application for a pecuniary penalty order, may be made in relation to one or
more serious offences.
(7) An application may be made for a pecuniary
penalty order in relation to a serious offence even if—
(a) a
forfeiture order in relation to the offence, or an application for such a
forfeiture order, has been made; or
(b) Part
4 Division 2 applies to the offence.
(8) A
person who would be subject to a pecuniary penalty order if it were made may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application.
96—Additional application for a pecuniary penalty order
(1) The DPP cannot, unless the court gives
leave, apply for a pecuniary penalty order against a person in respect of
benefits derived from the commission of a serious offence or an instrument of
the offence if—
(a) an
application has previously been made for a pecuniary penalty under this
Division in respect of the benefits or instrument; and
(b) the
application has been finally determined on the merits.
(2) The court must not give leave unless it is
satisfied that—
(a) the
benefit or instrument to which the new application relates was identified only
after the first application was determined; or
(b) necessary
evidence became available only after the first application was determined; or
(c) it
is in the interests of justice to grant the leave.
(3) An
application for a literary proceeds order is not, for the purposes of this
section, an application for a pecuniary penalty.
97—Pecuniary penalty orders made in relation to serious offence convictions
(1) A
court must not make a pecuniary penalty order in relation to a person’s
conviction of a serious offence until after the end of the period of 6 months
commencing on the conviction day.
(2) However,
the court may make a pecuniary penalty order in relation to the person’s
conviction when it passes sentence on the person.
(3) Subsection (1)
does not apply if the person is taken to have been convicted of the serious
offence because of section 5(1)(d).
98—Making of pecuniary penalty order if person has absconded
A court must not, if a person is taken
under section 5(1)(d) to have been convicted of a serious offence, make a
pecuniary penalty order relating to the person’s conviction unless—
(a) the
court is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that the person has absconded;
and
(b) either—
(i) the
person has been committed for trial for the offence; or
(ii) the
court is satisfied, having regard to all the evidence before the court, that a
reasonable jury, properly instructed, or the Magistrates Court (as the case
requires) could lawfully find the person guilty of the offence.
Subdivision 2—Pecuniary penalty order amounts
99—Determining penalty amounts
The amount that a person is ordered to pay
under a pecuniary penalty order (the penalty amount) is
determined by—
(a) in
the case of an application relating to benefits derived from the commission of
a serious offence—
(i) assessing
under this Subdivision the total value of the benefits the person derived from—
(A) the
commission of the serious offence; and
(B) the
commission of any other offence that constitutes unlawful activity; and
(ii) subtracting
from the total value the sum of the reductions (if any) in the penalty amount
under sections 107 and 108; or
(b) in
the case of an application relating to an instrument of a serious offence—assessing
the value of the instrument (as at the time of assessment) and subtracting from
the value the sum of the reductions (if any) in the penalty amount under
sections 107 and 108.
100—Evidence the court is to consider in assessing the value of benefits
In assessing the value of benefits that a
person has derived from the commission of a serious offence or serious
offences, the court must have regard to the evidence before it concerning—
(a) the
money, or the value of property other than money, that, in connection with the
commission of the offence or offences, came into the possession or under the
control of—
(i) the
person; or
(ii) another
person at the person’s request or direction; and
(b) the
value of any other benefit that, in connection with the commission of the
offence or offences, was provided to—
(i) the
person; or
(ii) another
person at the person’s request or direction or in accordance with an
arrangement entered into by the person; and
(c) if
any of the illegal activity consisted of doing an act or thing in relation to a
drug—
(i) the
market value, at the time of the offence, of similar or substantially similar
drugs; and
(ii) the
amount that was, or the range of amounts that were, ordinarily paid for the
doing of a similar or substantially similar act or thing; and
(d) the
value of the person’s property before, during and after the commission of the
offence or offences; and
(e) the
person’s income and expenditure before, during and after the commission of the
offence or offences; and
(f) any
other matter the court considers relevant.
(1) If—
(a) an
application is made for a pecuniary penalty order against a person in relation
to a serious offence or serious offences; and
(b) at
the hearing of the application, evidence is given that the value of the person’s
property during or after the commission of the offence or offences, or any
other unlawful activity that the person has engaged in, exceeded the value of
the person’s property before the commission of the offence or offences,
the court is to treat the value of the benefits derived by the
person from the commission of the offence or offences as being not less than
the amount of the greatest excess.
(2) The
amount treated as the value of the benefits under this section is reduced to
the extent (if any) that the court is satisfied that the excess was due to
causes unrelated to the commission of the serious offence or serious offences
or any other unlawful activity that the person has engaged in.
(3) If,
at the hearing of the application, evidence is given of the person’s
expenditure during or after the commission of the serious offence or serious
offences, or any other unlawful activity that the person has engaged in, the
amount of the expenditure is presumed, unless the contrary is proved, to be the
value of a benefit that was provided to the person in connection with the
commission of the serious offence or serious offences.
(4) Subsection (3)
does not apply to expenditure to the extent that it resulted in the acquisition
of property that is taken into account under subsection (1).
102—Value of benefits may be as at time of assessment
(1) In
quantifying the value of a benefit for the purposes of this Subdivision, a
court may treat as the value of the benefit the value that the benefit would
have had if derived at the time the court makes its assessment of the value of
benefits.
(2) Without
limiting subsection (1), the court may have regard to any decline in the
purchasing power of money between the time when the benefit was derived and the
time the court makes its assessment.
103—Matters that do not reduce the value of benefits
In assessing the value of benefits that a
person has derived from the commission of a serious offence or serious
offences, the following must not be subtracted:
(a) any
expenses or outgoings the person incurred in relation to the offence or
offences;
(b) the
value of any part of the benefits derived from the commission of the offence or
offences that the person derives as agent for, or otherwise on behalf of,
another person (whether or not the other person receives any of the benefits).
104—Benefits already the subject of pecuniary penalty
(1) A
benefit is not to be taken into account for the purposes of this Subdivision if
a pecuniary penalty has been imposed in respect of the benefit under this Act
or any other law.
(2) A
literary proceeds amount is a pecuniary penalty for the purposes of this
section.
105—Property under a person’s effective control
For the purpose of assessing the value of benefits that a person
has derived from the commission of a serious offence, the court may treat as
property of the person any property that is, in the court’s opinion, subject to
the person’s effective control.
106—Effect of property vesting in an insolvency trustee
For the purpose of assessing the value of
benefits that a person has derived from the commission of a serious offence,
the person’s property is taken to continue to be the person’s property if it
vests in any of the following:
(a) in
relation to a bankruptcy—the trustee of the estate of the bankrupt;
(b) in
relation to a composition or scheme of arrangement under Division 6 of Part IV
of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth—the trustee of the
composition or scheme of arrangement;
(c) in
relation to a deed of assignment, a deed of arrangement or a composition under
Part X of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth—the trustee of the
deed or the composition;
(d) in
relation to the estate of a deceased person in respect of which an order has
been made under Part XI of the Bankruptcy Act 1966 of the Commonwealth—the
trustee of the estate.
107—Reducing penalty amounts to take account of forfeiture and proposed forfeiture
If a pecuniary penalty order relates to
benefits derived from the commission of a serious offence, the penalty amount
under the order is reduced by an amount equal to the value, at the time of the
making of the order, of any property that is proceeds of the serious offence if—
(a) the
property has been forfeited, under this Act or any other law, in relation to
the offence to which the order relates; or
(b) an
application has been made for a forfeiture order that would cover the property.
108—Reducing penalty amounts to take account of fines etc
(1) If
a pecuniary penalty order relates to benefits derived from the commission of a
serious offence, the court may, if it considers it appropriate, reduce the
penalty amount under the order by an amount equal to a monetary sum payable by
the person in relation to the offence.
(2) In this section—
monetary sum means a monetary amount paid by way of fine, restitution,
compensation or damages.
109—Varying pecuniary penalty orders to increase penalty amounts
(1) A court may, on the application of the DPP,
vary a pecuniary penalty order against a person—
(a) —
(i) if
the penalty amount was reduced under section 107 to take account of a
forfeiture of property or a proposed forfeiture order against property; and
(ii) an
appeal against the forfeiture or forfeiture order is allowed, or the
proceedings for the proposed forfeiture order terminate without the proposed
forfeiture order being made,
by increasing the penalty amount by an amount equal to the value
of the property; and
(b) —
(i) if
the penalty amount was reduced under section 107 to take account of an
amount of tax paid by the person; and
(ii) an
amount is repaid or refunded to the person in respect of that tax,
by increasing the penalty amount by an amount equal to the amount
repaid or refunded.
(2) The
DPP’s application may deal with more than one increase to the same penalty
amount.
Division 2—Literary proceeds orders
Subdivision 1—Literary proceeds orders
110—Meaning of literary proceeds
(1) Literary proceeds are any benefit that a
person derives from the commercial exploitation of—
(a) the
person’s notoriety resulting from the person committing a serious offence; or
(b) the
notoriety of another person involved in the commission of the serious offence
resulting from the first-mentioned person committing the offence.
(2) The commercial exploitation may be by any
means, including—
(a) publishing
material in written or electronic form; or
(b) any
use of media from which visual images, words or sounds can be produced; or
(c) any
live entertainment, representation or interview.
(3) A court may, in determining—
(a) whether
a person has derived literary proceeds; or
(b) the
value of literary proceeds that a person has derived,
treat as property of the person any property that, in the court’s
opinion—
(c) is
subject to the person’s effective control; or
(d) was
not received by the person, but was transferred to, or (in the case of money)
paid to, another person at the person’s direction.
111—Making literary proceeds orders
(1) A court may, on application by the DPP,
make an order (a literary proceeds order) requiring a person to
pay an amount to the Crown if the court is satisfied that the person—
(a) has
committed a serious offence (whether or not the person has been convicted of
the offence); and
(b) has
derived literary proceeds in relation to the offence.
(2) For
the purposes of this section, the literary proceeds must have been derived
after the commencement of this Act.
(3) More
than one literary proceeds order may be made against a person in relation to
the same serious offence.
(4) The
court’s power to make a literary proceeds order in relation to a serious
offence is not affected by the existence of another confiscation order in
relation to the offence.
(5) A
person who would be subject to a literary proceeds order if it were made may
appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application.
112—Matters taken into account in deciding whether to make literary proceeds orders
In determining whether to make a literary
proceeds order, the court may take into account any matter it thinks fit, and
must take into account—
(a) the
nature and purpose of the product or activity from which the literary proceeds
were derived; and
(b) whether
supplying the product or carrying out the activity was in the public interest;
and
(c) the
social, cultural or educational value of the product or activity; and
(d) the
seriousness of the offence to which the product or activity relates; and
(e) how
long ago the offence was committed.
Subdivision 2—Literary proceeds amounts
113—Determining literary proceeds amounts
(1) The
amount that a person is ordered to pay under a literary proceeds order (the literary
proceeds amount) is the amount that the court thinks appropriate.
(2) However,
the amount must not exceed the amount of the literary proceeds relating to the
serious offence to which the order relates, less any deductions or reductions
arising under section 114 or section 121.
(3) In determining the amount, the court is to
have regard to any matters it thinks fit, including—
(a) the
amount of the literary proceeds relating to the serious offence; and
(b) if
the person stood trial for the serious offence—the evidence adduced in the
proceedings for the offence; and
(c) if
the person was convicted of the serious offence—the transcript of the
sentencing proceedings.
114—Deductions from literary proceeds amounts
In determining the amount to be paid under
a literary proceeds order against a person, the court must deduct, to the extent
that the property is literary proceeds—
(a) any
expenses and outgoings that the person incurred in deriving the literary
proceeds; and
(b) the
value of any property of the person forfeited under—
(i) this
Act; or
(ii) a
recognised Australian forfeiture order; or
(iii) a
foreign forfeiture order,
relating to the serious offence to which the literary proceeds
order relates; and
(c) any
amount payable by the person under—
(i) a
pecuniary penalty order; or
(ii) a
recognised Australian pecuniary penalty order; or
(iii) a
foreign pecuniary penalty order,
relating to the serious offence to which the literary proceeds
order relates; and
(d) the
amount of any previous literary proceeds order made against the person in
relation to the same exploitation of the person’s notoriety resulting from the
person committing the serious offence in question.
115—Varying literary proceeds orders to increase literary proceeds amounts
(1) A court may, on the application of the DPP,
vary a literary proceeds order against a person—
(a) —
(i) if
the value of property of the person forfeited under a forfeiture order, a
recognised Australian forfeiture order or a foreign forfeiture order was
deducted from the literary proceeds amount under section 114(b); and
(ii) an
appeal against the forfeiture, or against the order, is allowed,
by increasing the amount to be paid under the literary proceeds
order by an amount equal to the value of the property; and
(b) —
(i) if
an amount payable under a pecuniary penalty order, a recognised Australian
pecuniary penalty order or a foreign pecuniary penalty order was deducted under
section 114(c) from the amount to be paid under the literary proceeds
order; and
(ii) an
appeal against the amount payable, or against the order, is allowed,
by increasing the amount to be paid under the literary proceeds
order by an amount equal to the amount that was payable; and
(c) —
(i) if,
in determining the amount to be paid under the literary proceeds order, the
court took into account, under section 121, an amount of tax paid by the
person who is the subject of the order; and
(ii) an
amount is repaid or refunded to the person in respect of that tax,
by increasing the amount to be paid under the literary proceeds
order by an amount equal to the amount repaid or refunded.
(2) The
DPP’s application may deal with more than one increase to the amount to be paid
under the literary proceeds order.
Subdivision 3—Literary proceeds amounts may cover future literary proceeds
116—Literary proceeds orders can cover future literary proceeds
(1) A court may, on the application of the DPP,
include in a literary proceeds order one or more amounts in relation to
benefits that the person who is the subject of the order may derive in the
future if the court is satisfied that—
(a) the
person will derive the benefits; and
(b) if
the person derives the benefits, they will be literary proceeds in relation to
the serious offence to which the order relates.
(2) Each
amount included in the order is to be an amount that the court considers would
be a literary proceeds amount in relation to a benefit that the person may
derive in the future, if the court were to make a literary proceeds order after
the person derived the benefit.
117—Enforcement of literary proceeds orders in relation to future literary proceeds
If—
(a) an
amount is included in a literary proceeds order in relation to benefits that
the person who is the subject of the order may derive in the future; and
(b) the
person subsequently derives the benefits,
then, from the time the person derives the benefits, Part 5
Division 3 Subdivision 4 applies to the amount as if it were a literary
proceeds amount.
Division 3—Matters generally applicable to
orders under this Part
Subdivision 1—Applications for confiscation orders under this Part
(1) The
DPP must give written notice of an application for a confiscation order under
this Part to the person who would be subject to the order if it were made, and
must include a copy of the application, and any affidavit supporting the
application, with the notice.
(2) However, if the DPP requests and the court
considers it appropriate—
(a) in
order to protect the integrity of any investigation or prosecution; or
(b) for
any other reason,
the DPP may delay giving a copy of an affidavit to the person.
(3) The court may, at any time before finally
determining an application for a confiscation order under this Part—
(a) direct
the DPP to give or publish notice of the application to a specified person or
class of persons; and
(b) specify
the time and manner in which the notice is to be given or published.
(1) The
court hearing an application for a confiscation order under this Part may, on
the application of the DPP or with the consent of the DPP, amend the
application.
(2) However, the court must not amend the
application to include additional an additional benefit or instrument or
additional literary proceeds (as the case requires) in the application unless
the court is satisfied that—
(a) the
benefit, instrument or literary proceeds were not reasonably capable of
identification when the application was originally made; or
(b) necessary
evidence became available only after the application was originally made.
(3) The
DPP must, on applying for an amendment to include an additional benefit or
instrument or additional literary proceeds (as the case requires) in the
application, give written notice of the application to amend to the person who
would be subject to the confiscation order if it were made.
Subdivision 2—Ancillary orders
(1) The
court that made a confiscation order under this Part, or any other court that
could have made the confiscation order, may make any ancillary orders that the
court considers appropriate.
(2) An ancillary order may be made—
(a) if
made by the court that made the confiscation order under this Part—when making
the order; or
(b) in
any case—at any time after the confiscation order is made.
Subdivision 3—Reducing pecuniary penalty amount or literary proceeds amount
121—Reducing penalty amounts and literary proceeds amounts to take account of tax paid
(1) A
court making a pecuniary penalty order that relates to proceeds of a serious offence,
or a literary proceeds order, against a person under this Part must reduce the
penalty amount or literary proceeds amount under the order by an amount that,
in the court’s opinion, represents the extent to which tax that the person has
paid is attributable to the benefits or literary proceeds (as the case
requires) to which the order relates.
(2) The
tax may be tax imposed under a law of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory or
a foreign country.
122—Enforcement of confiscation orders under this Part
(1) A
confiscation order under this Part is enforceable under the Enforcement of
Judgments Act 1991.
(2) However,
if a pecuniary penalty order was made under section 97(2) when sentence
was being passed on the person for the serious offence to which the order
relates, the order cannot be enforced against the person within the period of 6
months commencing on the day the order was made.
(3) If
a pecuniary penalty order is made against a person after the person’s death,
this section has effect as if the person had died on the day after the order
was made.
123—Property subject to a person’s effective control
(1) If—
(a) a
person is subject to a confiscation order made by a court under this Part; and
(b) the
DPP applies to the court for an order under this section; and
(c) the
court is satisfied that particular property is subject to the effective control
of the person,
the court may make an order declaring that the whole, or a
specified part, of that property is available to satisfy the confiscation
order.
(2) An
order under subsection (1) may be enforced against the property as if the
property were the person’s property.
(3) A restraining order may be made in respect
of the property as if—
(a) the
property were the person’s property; and
(b) the
person had committed a serious offence.
(4) The DPP must, on applying for an order
under subsection (1) relating to particular property, give written notice
of the application to—
(a) the
person who is subject to the confiscation order; and
(b) a
person whom the DPP has reason to believe may have an interest in the property.
(5) The
person who is subject to the confiscation order, and any person who claims an
interest in the property, may appear and adduce evidence at the hearing of the
application.
Subdivision 5—Effect of acquittals and quashing of convictions
124—Acquittals do not affect confiscation orders under this Part
The fact that a person has been acquitted of a serious offence
with which the person has been charged does not affect the court’s power to
make a confiscation order under this Part in relation to the offence.
125—Discharge of confiscation order under this Part if made in relation to a conviction
(1) A confiscation order under this Part made
in relation to a person’s conviction of a serious offence is discharged if—
(a) the
person’s conviction of the offence is subsequently quashed (whether or not the
order relates to the person’s conviction of other offences that have not been
quashed); and
(b) the
DPP does not, within 14 days after the conviction is quashed, apply to the
court that made the order for the order to be confirmed.
(2) However, unless a court decides otherwise
on an application under subsection (1), the quashing of the conviction
does not affect the order—
(a) for
14 days after the conviction is quashed; or
(b) if
the DPP makes an application under subsection (1).
126—Confiscation order under this Part unaffected if not made in relation to a conviction
A confiscation order under this Part made in relation to a serious
offence, but not in relation to a person’s conviction of the offence, is not
affected if the person is convicted of the offence and the conviction is
subsequently quashed.
127—Notice of application for confirmation of confiscation order under this Part
The DPP must give written notice of an application for
confirmation of a confiscation order under this Part to the person who is the
subject of the order.
128—Procedure on application for confirmation of confiscation order under this Part
(1) The
person who is the subject of a confiscation order under this Part may appear
and adduce evidence at the hearing of the application for confirmation of the
order.
(2) The court may, in determining the
application, have regard to—
(a) the
transcript of any proceeding against the person for—
(i) the
serious offence of which the person was convicted; or
(ii) if
the person was taken to be convicted of the serious offence because of
section 5(1)(c)—the other offence referred to in that paragraph,
including any appeals relating to the conviction; and
(b) any
evidence given in the proceeding.
129—Court may confirm confiscation order under this Part
(1) A court may confirm a confiscation order
under this Part if satisfied that, when the DPP applied for the order, the
court could have made the order—
(a) in
the case of a pecuniary penalty order—on the ground that the person had
committed the serious offence or some other serious offence; or
(b) in
the case of a literary proceeds order—on the ground that the person had
committed the serious offence in relation to which the person’s conviction was
quashed or some other serious offence; or
(c) in
any case—without relying on the person’s conviction of the serious offence.
(2) A court that confirms a confiscation order
under this Part may—
(a) make
such variations to the confiscation order as the court thinks fit; and
(b) make
such ancillary orders as the court thinks fit.
130—Effect of court’s decision on confirmation of confiscation order under this Part
(1) If
a court confirms a confiscation order under this Part in accordance with
section 129, the order is taken not to be affected by the quashing of the
person’s conviction of the serious offence.
(2) If
the court decides not to confirm the confiscation order, the order is
discharged.
Subdivision 1—Examination orders
131—Examination orders relating to restraining orders
(1) If an application for a restraining order
has been made or a restraining order is in force, a relevant court may, on the
application of the DPP, make an order (an examination order) for
the examination of any person, including—
(a) a
person whose property is to be or is, or a person who has or claims an interest
in property that is to be or is, the subject of the restraining order; or
(b) a
person identified in the affidavit or other evidence submitted in support of
the application for the restraining order as a suspect for the serious offence
to which the restraining order relates; or
(c) a
spouse of a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b),
about the affairs (including the nature and location of any
property) of a person referred to in paragraph (a),(b) or (c).
(2) An
examination order ceases to have effect if the restraining order to which it
relates ceases to have effect.
(3) In this section—
relevant court means—
(a) if
an application for a restraining order has been made—the court to whom the
application has been made; or
(b) if
a restraining order is in force—the court that made the restraining order or
any other court that could have made the restraining order.
132—Examination orders relating to applications for confirmation of forfeiture
(1) If an application relating to the quashing
of a person’s conviction of a serious offence is made under section 64,
83, or 125, the court to which the application is made may, on the application
of the DPP, make an order (an examination order) for the
examination of any person, including—
(a) the
person whose conviction is quashed; or
(b) a
person whose property is, or a person who has an interest in property that is,
the subject of the forfeiture, pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds
order (as the case may require) to which the application relates; or
(c) a
spouse of a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b),
about the affairs (including the nature and location of any
property) of a person referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
(2) The examination order ceases to have effect—
(a) if
the application is withdrawn; or
(b) when
the court finally determines the application.
Subdivision 2—Examination notices
(1) The
DPP may give to a person who is the subject of an examination order a written
notice (an examination notice) for the examination of the person.
(2) A
person who is the subject of an examination order may be given more than one
examination notice under this section.
(3) However, the DPP must not give an
examination notice if—
(a) an
application has been made under section 43 for the restraining order to
which the notice relates to be revoked; and
(b) the
court to which the application is made orders that examinations are not to
proceed.
(4) The
fact that criminal proceedings have been commenced (whether or not under this
Act) does not prevent the DPP giving the examination notice.
134—Form and content of examination notices
(1) An examination notice—
(a) must
be in the prescribed form; and
(b) must
require the person to attend the examination; and
(c) must
specify the time and place of the examination; and
(d) must
specify such further information as the regulations may require.
(2) An
examination notice may require the person to produce at the examination the documents
specified in the notice.
Subdivision 3—Conducting examinations
135—Time and place of examination
(1) The examination of a person subject to an
examination order must be conducted—
(a) at
the time and place specified in the examination notice; or
(b) at
such other time and place as the DPP decides on the request of—
(i) the
person being examined, or the legal practitioner representing the person; or
(ii) a
person who is entitled to be present during an examination because of a
direction under section 137(2).
(2) If
a person who is required by an examination notice to attend an examination
refuses or fails to attend the examination at the time and place required in
accordance with subsection (1), the DPP may apply to the Magistrates Court
for the issue of a warrant to have the person arrested and brought before the
DPP for the purpose of conducting the examination.
(3) An
examination of a person subject to an examination order may be conducted by
video link or telephone in a manner determined by the DPP.
(4) If, after the examination notice is given—
(a) an
application has been made under section 43 for the restraining order to
which the notice relates to be revoked; and
(b) the
court to which the application is made orders that examinations are not to
proceed,
the DPP must—
(c) give
the person a written notice withdrawing the examination notice; and
(d) if
the examination of the person has started but not finished—stop the
examination.
(5) Nothing
in this section prevents the DPP giving the person a further examination notice
if the application for revocation of the restraining order is unsuccessful.
(6) The
fact that criminal proceedings have been commenced (whether or not under this
Act) does not prevent the examination of a person.
136—Requirements made of person examined
(1) A
person subject to an examination order may be examined on oath by the DPP.
(2) The DPP may, for that purpose—
(a) require
the person to take an oath; and
(b) administer
an oath to the person.
(3) The
oath to be taken by the person for the purposes of the examination is an oath
that the statements that the person will make will be true.
(4) An examination must not relate to a person’s
affairs—
(a) if
the examination relates to a restraining order and the person is no longer a
person whose affairs can, under section 131, be subject to the
examination; or
(b) if
the examination relates to the quashing of a conviction for a serious offence
and the person is no longer a person whose affairs can, under section 132,
be subject to the examination.
(5) The DPP may require the person to answer a
question that—
(a) is
put to the person at the examination; and
(b) is
relevant to the affairs (including the nature and location of any property) of
a person referred to in section 131(1)(a), (b) or (c) or
section 132(1)(a), (b) or (c).
137—Examination to take place in private
(1) An
examination is to take place in private.
(2) The
DPP may give directions about who may be present during an examination.
(3) The following people are entitled to be
present at the examination:
(a) the
DPP;
(b) the
person being examined, and the legal practitioner representing the person;
(c) any
other person who is entitled to be present because of a direction under
subsection (2).
138—Role of the examinee’s legal practitioner during examination
(1) The legal practitioner representing a
person being examined may, at such times during the examination as the DPP
determines—
(a) address
the DPP; and
(b) examine
the person being examined,
about any matter about which the DPP has examined the person.
(2) The
DPP may require a legal practitioner who, in the DPP’s opinion, is trying to
obstruct the examination by exercising rights under subsection (1), to
stop addressing the DPP, or stop his or her examination, as the case requires.
(1) The DPP—
(a) may
cause a record to be made of statements made at an examination; and
(b) must,
at the request of the person being examined—
(i) make
a record of statements made at an examination; and
(ii) if
the record is not a written record—cause the record to be reduced to writing.
(2) If
a record made under subsection (1) is in writing or is reduced to writing,
the DPP must, if the person being examined makes a request in writing, provide
without charge a copy of the written record.
The DPP may—
(a) on
his or her own initiative; or
(b) at
the request of the person being examined,
refer a question of law arising at an examination to the court
that made the examination order.
141—DPP may restrict publication of certain material
(1) The DPP may—
(a) on
his or her own initiative; or
(b) at
the request of the person being examined,
give directions preventing or restricting disclosure to the public
of—
(c) matters
contained in answers given, or documents produced, in the course of the
examination; or
(d) the
whole or part of any written record of the examination.
(2) In deciding whether or not to give a
direction, the DPP must have regard to—
(a) whether—
(i) an
answer that has been or may be given; or
(ii) a
document that has been or may be produced; or
(iii) a
matter that has arisen or may arise,
during the examination is of a confidential nature or relates to
the commission, or to the alleged or suspected commission, of a serious
offence; and
(b) any
unfair prejudice to a person’s reputation that would be likely to be caused if
the DPP does not give the direction; and
(c) whether
giving the direction is in the public interest; and
(d) any
other relevant matter.
(1) The
DPP has, in the performance of his or her duties under this Division, the same
protection and immunity as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
(2) A
legal practitioner appearing at an examination on behalf of the person being
examined has the same protection and immunity as a legal practitioner appearing
for a party in proceedings in the Supreme Court.
(3) Subject
to this Act, the person being examined has the same protection and, in addition
to the penalties provided by this Act, is subject to the same liabilities as a
witness in proceedings in the Supreme Court.
143—Failing to attend an examination
A person who—
(a) is
required by an examination notice to attend an examination; and
(b) refuses
or fails to attend the examination at the time and place specified in the
notice,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
144—Offences relating to appearance at an examination
(1) A person attending an examination to answer
questions or produce documents must not—
(a) refuse
or fail to be sworn; or
(b) refuse
or fail to answer a question that the DPP requires the person to answer; or
(c) refuse
or fail to produce at the examination a document specified in the examination
notice that required the person’s attendance; or
(d) leave the examination before being excused
by the DPP.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2) Subsection (1)(c)
does not apply if the person complied with the notice in relation to production
of the document to the extent that it was practicable to do so.
(1) If
a natural person is required to give information, answer a question or produce,
or provide a copy of, a document under section 144 and the information,
answer, document or record would tend to incriminate the person or make the
person liable to a penalty (including a penalty in the nature of a confiscation
order under this Act), the person must nevertheless give the information,
answer the question or produce, or provide a copy of, the document or record,
but the information, answer, document or record will not be admissible in
evidence against the person in proceedings for an offence (other than
proceedings in respect of the making of a false or misleading statement or
declaration).
(2) To avoid doubt, an answer given or document
produced under section 144 is admissible in proceedings—
(a) on,
or ancillary to, an application under this Act; or
(b) for
enforcement of a confiscation order.
146—Unauthorised presence at an examination
A person who—
(a) is
present at an examination; and
(b) is
not entitled to be present,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500.
147—Breaching conditions on which records of statements are provided
A person who breaches a condition imposed
under section 141(1)(d) relating to a record given to the person under
section 139 is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500.
148—Breaching directions preventing or restricting publication
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if—
(a) the
person publishes a matter contained in answers given or documents produced in the
course of an examination; and
(b) the publication is in contravention of a
direction given under section 141 by the DPP.
Maximum penalty: $2 500.
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply
to the disclosure of a matter—
(a) to
obtain legal advice or legal representation in relation to the order; or
(b) for
the purposes of, or in the course of, legal proceedings.
(1) For the purposes of this Division, a property-tracking
document is any of the following:
(a) a
document relevant to identifying, locating or quantifying property of a person—
(i) who
has been convicted of, charged with, or who it is proposed will be charged
with, a serious offence; or
(ii) whom
there are reasonable grounds to suspect of having engaged in conduct
constituting a serious offence;
(b) a
document relevant to identifying or locating a document necessary for the
transfer of property of a person referred to in paragraph (a);
(c) a
document relevant to identifying, locating or quantifying—
(i) proceeds
of a serious offence, or an instrument of a serious offence, of which a person
has been convicted or with which a person has been charged or is proposed to be
charged; or
(ii) proceeds
of a serious offence, or an instrument of a serious offence, that a person is
reasonably suspected of having committed;
(d) a
document relevant to identifying or locating a document necessary for the
transfer of property referred to in paragraph (c);
(e) a
document relevant to identifying, locating or quantifying literary proceeds in
relation to a serious offence of which a person has been convicted or which a
person is reasonably suspected of having committed;
(f) a
document that would assist in the reading or interpretation of a document
referred to in this definition.
(2) A
document referred to in subsection (1) does not need to be relevant to
identifying, locating or quantifying proceeds of a particular serious offence.
(1) Subject to this section, a magistrate may,
on the application of an authorised officer, make an order (a production
order) requiring a person to—
(a) produce
one or more property-tracking documents; or
(b) make
one or more property-tracking documents available,
to an authorised officer for inspection.
(2) A
magistrate must not make a production order unless the magistrate is satisfied
by information on oath that the person is reasonably suspected of having
possession or control of the documents.
(3) To
avoid doubt, an authorised officer applying for a production order need not
give notice of the application to any person.
151—Contents of production orders
(1) A production order must—
(a) specify
the nature of the documents required; and
(b) specify
the place at which the person must produce the documents or make the documents
available; and
(c) specify
the time at which, or the times between which, the person must produce the
documents or make the documents available; and
(d) specify
the name of the authorised officer who, unless he or she inserts the name of
another authorised officer in the order, is to be responsible for giving the
order to the person; and
(e) if
the order specifies that information about the order must not be disclosed—set
out the effect of section 157; and
(f) set
out the effect of section 158.
(2) Subject
to subsection (3), the time or times specified under
subsection (1)(c) must be at least 14 days from the day on which the order
is given.
(3) A
magistrate making a production order may specify an earlier time or times under
subsection (1)(c) if satisfied that it will not cause hardship to the
person required to produce documents or make documents available.
152—Powers under production orders
An authorised officer may inspect, take extracts from, or make
copies of, a document produced or made available under a production order.
153—Retaining produced documents
(1) An
authorised officer may retain a document produced under a production order for
as long as is necessary for the purposes of this Act.
(2) A person to whom a production order is
given may require the authorised officer to—
(a) certify
in writing a copy of the document retained to be a true copy and give the
person the copy; or
(b) allow
the person to—
(i) inspect
the document; and
(ii) take
extracts from the document; and
(iii) make
copies of the document.
(1) If
a natural person is required to give information, answer a question or produce,
or provide a copy of, a document or record under a production order and the
information, answer, document or record would tend to incriminate the person or
make the person liable to a penalty (including in the nature of a confiscation
order under this Act), the person must nevertheless give the information,
answer the question or produce, or provide a copy of, the document or record,
but the information, answer, document or record will not be admissible in
evidence against the person in proceedings for an offence other than
proceedings in respect of the making of a false or misleading statement or
declaration.
(2) To avoid doubt, an answer given or document
produced under a production order is admissible in proceedings—
(a) on,
or ancillary to, an application under this Act; or
(b) for
enforcement of a confiscation order.
(1) The magistrate who made a production order
may—
(a) on
the application of the person required to produce a document to an authorised
officer under the production order; and
(b) if
satisfied that the document is essential to the person’s business activities,
vary the order so that it instead requires the person to make the
document available for inspection.
(2) If
the magistrate who made the production order is unavailable, then any other
magistrate may vary the order.
156—Making false statements in applications
A person who makes a false or misleading
statement in, or in connection with, an application for a production order or
an application for a variation of a production order is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $5 000 or imprisonment for 1 year.
157—Disclosing existence or nature of production orders
(1) A person who—
(a) is
given a production order that specifies that information about the order must
not be disclosed; and
(b) either—
(i) discloses
the existence or nature of the order to another person; or
(ii) discloses
information to another person from which the other person could infer the
existence or nature of the order,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the
disclosure is made—
(a) to
an employee, agent or other person in order to obtain a document that is
required by the order in order to comply with it, and that other person is
directed not to inform the person to whom the document relates about the
matter; or
(b) to
obtain legal advice or legal representation in relation to the order; or
(c) for
the purposes of, or in the course of, legal proceedings.
158—Failing to comply with a production order
(1) A person who —
(a) is
given a production order in relation to a property-tracking document; and
(b) fails
to comply with the order; and
(c) has
not been excused from complying under subsection (2),
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2) A person is excused from complying if—
(a) the
person gives an authorised officer a statutory declaration stating that the
person does not have possession or control of the document; and
(b) the
authorised officer notifies the person in writing that the person is excused
from complying with the production order.
159—Destroying etc a document subject to a production order
A person is guilty of an offence if the
person destroys, defaces or otherwise interferes with a property-tracking
document knowing, or recklessly indifferent to the fact, that a production
order is in force requiring the document to be produced or made available to an
authorised officer.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
Division 3—Notices to financial institutions
160—Giving notices to financial institutions
(1) A police officer of or above the rank of
Superintendent may give a written notice to a financial institution requiring
the institution to provide to an authorised officer any information or
documents relevant to any of the following:
(a) determining
whether an account is held by a specified person with the financial
institution;
(b) determining
whether a specified person is a signatory to an account;
(c) if
a person holds an account with the institution—the current balance of the
account;
(d) details
of transactions on such an account over a specified period of up to 6 months;
(e) details
of any related accounts (including names of those who hold those accounts);
(f) a
transaction conducted by the financial institution on behalf of a specified
person.
(2) A notice must—
(a) state
that the police officer believes that the notice is required—
(i) to
determine whether to take any action under this Act; or
(ii) in
relation to proceedings under this Act; and
(b) specify
the name of the financial institution; and
(c) specify
the information or documents required to be provided; and
(d) specify
the form and manner in which the information or documents are to be provided;
and
(e) state
that the information or documents must be provided within 14 days of the
notice; and
(f) if
the notice specifies that information about the notice must not be disclosed—set
out the effect of section 163; and
(g) set
out the effect of section 164.
(3) The police officer must not issue the
notice unless the officer reasonably believes that giving the notice is
required—
(a) to
determine whether to take any action under this Act; or
(b) in
relation to proceedings under this Act.
No liability attaches to—
(a) a
financial institution; or
(b) an
officer, employee or agent of the institution,
in relation to any action taken by the institution or person under
a notice under section 160 or in the mistaken belief that action was
required under the notice.
162—Making false statements in notices
A person who makes a false or misleading
statement (whether orally, in a document or in any other way) in, or in
connection with, a notice under section 160 is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $5 000 or imprisonment for 1 year.
163—Disclosing existence or nature of notice
(1) A person who—
(a) is
given a notice under section 160 that specifies that information about the
notice must not be disclosed; and
(b) either—
(i) discloses
the existence or nature of the order to another person; or
(ii) discloses
information to another person from which the other person could infer the
existence or nature of the order,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the
disclosure is made—
(a) to
an employee, agent or other person in order to obtain a document that is
required by the order in order to comply with it, and that other person is
directed not to inform the person to whom the document relates about the
matter; or
(b) to
obtain legal advice or legal representation in relation to the order; or
(c) for
the purposes of, or in the course of, legal proceedings.
164—Failing to comply with a notice
A person who—
(a) is
given a notice under section 160; and
(b) fails
to comply with the notice,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(1) A
judge of the District Court may, on the application of an authorised officer,
make an order (a monitoring order) that a financial institution
provide information about transactions conducted during a specified period
(including a future period) through an account held by a specified person with
the institution.
(2) A judge must not make a monitoring order
unless satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the
person in respect of whose account the information is sought—
(a) has
committed, or is about to commit, a serious offence; or
(b) was
involved in the commission, or is about to be involved in the commission, of a
serious offence; or
(c) has
benefited directly or indirectly, or is about to benefit directly or
indirectly, from the commission of a serious offence.
166—Contents of monitoring orders
(1) A monitoring order must—
(a) specify
the name or names in which the account is believed to be held; and
(b) specify
the information that the financial institution is required to provide; and
(c) specify
the period during which the order operates; and
(d) specify
the enforcement agency to which the information is to be provided; and
(e) specify
the form and manner in which the information is to be given; and
(f) if
the order specifies that information about the order must not be disclosed—set
out the effect of section 169; and
(g) set
out the effect of section 170.
(2) The period referred to in subsection (1)(c)
must—
(a) begin
no earlier than the day on which notice of the monitoring order is given to the
financial institution; and
(b) end
no later than 3 months after the date of the order.
No liability attaches to—
(a) a
financial institution; or
(b) an
officer, employee or agent of the institution,
in relation to any action taken by the institution or person in
complying with a monitoring order or in the mistaken belief that action was
required under the order.
168—Making false statements in applications
A person who makes a false or misleading
statement (whether orally, in a document or in any other way) in, or in
connection with, an application for a monitoring order is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
169—Disclosing existence or operation of monitoring order
(1) A person who discloses the existence or the
operation of a monitoring order to another person and the disclosure—
(a) is
not to a person specified in subsection (4); and
(b) is
not for a purpose specified in subsection (4),
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years.
(2) A person who discloses information to
another person from which the other person could infer the existence or
operation of a monitoring order, and the disclosure—
(a) is
not to a person specified in subsection (4); and
(b) is
not for a purpose specified in subsection (4),
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years.
(3) A person who—
(a) receives
information relating to a monitoring order in accordance with subsection (4);
and
(b) ceases
to be a person to whom information could be disclosed in accordance with
subsection (4); and
(c) makes
a record of, or discloses, the existence or the operation of the order,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000 or imprisonment for 4 years.
(4) A person may disclose the existence or the
operation of a monitoring order to the following persons for the following
purposes:
(a) the
head of the enforcement agency specified under section 166(1)(d) or an
authorised officer of that agency—
(i) for
the purpose of performing that person’s duties; or
(ii) for
the purpose of, or for purposes connected with, legal proceedings; or
(iii) for
purposes arising in the course of proceedings before a court;
(b) the
Director of AUSTRAC, or a member of the staff of AUSTRAC who is authorised by
the Director of AUSTRAC as a person who may be advised of the existence of a
monitoring order—
(i) for
the purpose of performing that person’s duties; or
(ii) for
the purpose of, or for purposes connected with, legal proceedings; or
(iii) for
purposes arising in the course of proceedings before a court;
(c) an
officer or agent of the financial institution for the purpose of ensuring that
the order is complied with;
(d) a
barrister or solicitor for the purpose of obtaining legal advice or
representation in relation to the order.
170—Failing to comply with monitoring order
A person who—
(a) is
given a monitoring order; and
(b) fails
to comply with the order,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
In this Division—
material liable to seizure under this Act means—
(a) tainted
property; or
(b) evidence
relating to—
(i) property
in respect of which action has been or could be taken under this Act; or
(ii) benefits
derived from the commission of a serious offence; or
(iii) literary
proceeds.
172—Warrants authorising seizure of property
(1) A magistrate may, on application by an
authorised officer, issue a warrant authorising—
(a) the
seizure of material liable to seizure under this Act; or
(b) the
search of a particular person, or particular premises, and the seizure of
material liable to seizure under this Act found in the course of the search.
(2) A
magistrate may only issue a warrant under this section if satisfied that there
are, in the circumstances of the case, reasonable grounds for issuing the
warrant.
(1) An
application for the issue of a warrant may be made either personally or by
telephone.
(2) The
grounds of an application for a warrant must be verified by affidavit.
(3) An
application for a warrant cannot be made by telephone unless in the opinion of
the applicant a warrant is urgently required and there is not enough time to
make the application personally.
(4) If an application for a warrant is made by
telephone—
(a) the
applicant must inform the magistrate of—
(i) the
applicant's name; and
(ii) the
applicant's rank or position title (as the case requires); and
(iii) the
enforcement agency of which the applicant is a member,
and the magistrate, on receiving that information, is entitled to
assume, without further inquiry, that the applicant is an authorised officer;
and
(b) the
applicant must inform the magistrate of the purpose for which the warrant is
required and the grounds on which it is sought; and
(c) if
it appears to the magistrate from the information given by the applicant that
there are proper grounds to issue a warrant, the magistrate must inform the
applicant of the facts that justify, in the magistrate's opinion, the issue of
the warrant, and must not issue the warrant unless the applicant undertakes to
make an affidavit verifying those facts; and
(d) if
the applicant gives such an undertaking, the magistrate may then make out and
sign a warrant, noting on the warrant the facts that justify, in the
magistrate's opinion, the issue of the warrant; and
(e) the
warrant is taken to have been issued, and comes into force, when signed by the
magistrate; and
(f) the
magistrate must inform the applicant of the terms of the warrant; and
(g) the
applicant must fill out and sign a warrant form (the duplicate warrant) that—
(i) sets
out the name of the magistrate who issued the original and the terms of the
warrant; and
(ii) complies
with any other requirements prescribed by regulation; and
(h) the
applicant must, as soon as practicable after the issue of the warrant, forward
to the magistrate an affidavit verifying the facts referred to in
paragraph (c) and a copy of the duplicate warrant.
(5) A
magistrate by whom a warrant is issued must file the warrant, or a copy of the
warrant, and the affidavit verifying the grounds on which the application for
the warrant was made, in the Magistrates Court.
174—Powers conferred by warrant
(1) A warrant authorises an authorised officer,
with such assistants as he or she considers necessary—
(a) to
seize—
(i) property
referred to in the warrant; and
(ii) documents
and other material relevant to identifying, tracing, locating or quantifying
property referred to in the warrant; and
(b) if
the warrant authorises a search of a person—to search the person and seize
anything that the authorised officer suspects on reasonable grounds to be
material liable to seizure under this Act; and
(c) if
the warrant authorises a search of premises—to enter into, break open and
search the premises and anything in the premises and seize anything that the
authorised officer suspects on reasonable grounds to be material liable to
seizure under this Act.
(2) A
warrant must not be executed between the hours of 7 o'clock in the evening and
7 o'clock in the following morning unless the magistrate by whom the warrant is
issued expressly authorises its execution between those hours.
(3) An
authorised officer, or a person assisting an authorised officer, may use such
force as is reasonably necessary for the execution of a warrant but, subject to
subsection (4), must not use force to open a part of the premises or to
open anything in the premises, unless the person (if any) apparently in charge
of the premises has been given a reasonable opportunity to open the premises or
thing.
(4) The person apparently in charge of premises
need not be given a reasonable opportunity to open the premises or anything in
the premises if—
(a) it
is not possible to give the person such an opportunity; or
(b) the
authorised officer, or person assisting an authorised officer, reasonably
suspects that the premises, or the thing in the premises might be concealed,
destroyed, lost or altered if such an opportunity were given.
(5) An authorised officer who executes a
warrant—
(a) must
prepare a notice in the prescribed form containing—
(i) the
authorised officer's name; and
(ii) the
authorised officer's rank or position title (as the case requires); and
(iii) the
enforcement agency of which the authorised officer is a member; and
(iv) the
name of the magistrate who issued the warrant and the date and time of its issue;
and
(v) a
description of anything seized under the warrant; and
(b) must,
as soon as practicable after execution of the warrant—
(i) in
the case of a warrant authorising search of a person—give the notice to the
person; or
(ii) in
any other case—give the notice to the occupier of the premises or leave it in a
prominent position on those premises.
(6) A
warrant, if not executed at the expiration of one month from the date of its
issue, then expires.
175—Hindering execution of warrant
A person who, without lawful excuse,
hinders an authorised officer, or a person assisting an authorised officer, in
the execution of a warrant under this Division is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
176—Person with knowledge of a computer or a computer system to assist access etc
(1) An authorised officer responsible for
executing a warrant may apply to a magistrate for an order requiring a
specified person to provide any information or assistance that is reasonable or
necessary to allow an authorised officer to do one or more of the following:
(a) access
data held in or accessible from a computer that is on the premises specified in
the warrant;
(b) copy
the data to a data storage device;
(c) convert
the data into documentary form.
(2) The magistrate may make an order if
satisfied that—
(a) there
are reasonable grounds for suspecting that material liable to seizure under
this Act is accessible from the computer referred to in subsection (1)(a);
and
(b) the
specified person is—
(i) reasonably
suspected of possessing, or having under his or her control, material liable to
seizure under this Act; or
(ii) the
owner or lessee of the computer; or
(iii) an
employee of the owner or lessee of the computer; and
(c) the
specified person has knowledge of—
(i) the
computer or a computer network of which the computer forms a part; or
(ii) measures
applied to protect data held in or accessible from the computer.
(3) A person who fails to comply with an order
under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
177—Providing documents after execution of a search warrant
If—
(a) documents
were on, or accessible from, the premises of a financial institution at the
time when a search warrant relating to those premises was executed; and
(b) those
documents were not able to be located at that time; and
(c) the
financial institution provides them to the authorised officer who executed the
warrant as soon as practicable after the execution of the warrant,
then the documents are taken to have been seized under the
warrant.
Subdivision 3—Seizure without warrant
178—Seizure without warrant allowed in certain circumstances
An authorised officer may seize material
if —
(a) the
officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the material is liable to seizure
under this Act and the person in possession of the material consents to the
seizure; or
(b) the
material is found in the course of a search conducted under another law and the
officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the material is liable to seizure
under this Act.
179—Stopping and searching vehicles
(1) If an authorised officer suspects on
reasonable grounds that—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act is in or on a vehicle; and
(b) it
is necessary to exercise a power under this section in order to prevent the
material from being concealed, destroyed, lost or altered; and
(c) because
the circumstances are serious and urgent, it is necessary to exercise the power
without the authority of a search warrant,
the authorised officer may, with such assistants as he or she
considers necessary—
(d) stop
and detain the vehicle; and
(e) search
the vehicle, and any container in or on the vehicle, for the material; and
(f) seize
the material if he or she finds it there.
(2) If, in the course of exercising a power
under subsection (1), the authorised officer finds other material liable
to seizure under this Act, the authorised officer may seize the material if he
or she suspects on reasonable grounds that it is necessary—
(a) to
seize it in order to prevent its concealment, loss or destruction; and
(b) because
the circumstances are serious and urgent, to seize it without the authority of
a search warrant.
(3) An
authorised officer, or a person assisting an authorised officer, may use such
force as is reasonably necessary in exercising a power under this section, but
must not use force to open a part of the vehicle or any container in or on the
vehicle unless the person (if any) apparently in charge of the vehicle has been
given a reasonable opportunity to open that part or container.
(4) The person apparently in charge of a
vehicle need not be given a reasonable opportunity to open part of the vehicle
or a container in or on the vehicle if—
(a) it
is not possible to give the person such an opportunity; or
(b) the
authorised officer, or person assisting an authorised officer, reasonably
suspects that the part or container might be concealed, destroyed, lost or
altered if such an opportunity were given.
Subdivision 4—Dealing with material liable to seizure under this Act
180—Receipts for material seized
The authorised officer who executes a warrant, or a person
assisting the authorised officer, must provide a receipt for material liable to
seizure under this Act that is seized under the warrant or under Subdivision 3
(as the case requires).
181—Responsibility for material seized
If material liable to seizure under this
Act is seized under a search warrant or under Subdivision 3, the responsible
custodian must—
(a) arrange
for the material to be kept until it is dealt with in accordance with this Act;
and
(b) ensure
that all reasonable steps are taken to preserve the material while it is kept.
182—Effect of obtaining forfeiture orders
If—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act is seized under a search warrant or under
Subdivision 3; and
(b) while
the material is in the possession of the responsible custodian, a forfeiture
order is made covering the material,
the responsible custodian must deal with the material as required
by the order.
(1) If—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act is seized under a search warrant or under
Subdivision 3 on the ground that it is evidence relating to—
(i) property
in respect of which action has been or could be taken under this Act; or
(ii) benefits
derived from the commission of a serious offence; or
(iii) literary
proceeds; and
(b) either—
(i) the
reason for the material’s seizure no longer exists or it is decided that the
material is not to be used in evidence; or
(ii) if
the material was seized under Subdivision 3—the period of 60 days after the
material’s seizure has ended,
the authorised officer who executed the warrant, or who seized the
material under Subdivision 3, (as the case requires) must take reasonable steps
to return the material to the person from whom it was seized or to the owner if
that person is not entitled to possess it.
(2) However, the authorised officer does not
have to take those steps if—
(a) if
subsection (1)(b)(ii) applies—
(i) proceedings
in respect of which the material might afford evidence have been instituted
before the end of the 60 days and have not been completed (including an appeal
to a court in relation to those proceedings); or
(ii) there
is an order in force under section 184; or
(b) the
authorised officer is otherwise authorised to retain, destroy or dispose of the
material; or
(c) the
material is forfeited or forfeitable to the Crown or is the subject of a
dispute as to ownership.
184—Magistrate may order that material be retained
(1) If an authorised officer has seized
material liable to seizure under this Act under this Division, and proceedings
in respect of which the material might afford evidence have not commenced
before the end of—
(a) 60
days after the seizure; or
(b) a
period previously specified in an order of a magistrate under this section,
the authorised officer may apply to a magistrate for an order that
the authorised officer may retain the material for a further period.
(2) Before making an application, an authorised
officer must—
(a) take
reasonable steps to discover whose interests would be affected by the retention
of the material; and
(b) if
it is practicable to do so, notify such persons of the proposed application.
(3) A
magistrate may, if satisfied that it is necessary for the purpose of initiating
or conducting proceedings under this Act, order that the authorised officer may
retain the material for a specified time.
185—Return of seized material to third parties
(1) A
person who claims an interest in material liable to seizure under this Act that
has been seized under a search warrant, or under Subdivision 3, on the ground
that it is suspected of being tainted property may apply to a court for an
order that the material be returned to the person.
(2) A court must order the responsible
custodian of the material to return the material to the applicant if the court
is satisfied that—
(a) the
applicant is entitled to possession of the material; and
(b) the
material is not tainted property in relation to the relevant serious offence;
and
(c) the
person in respect of whose suspected commission of, or conviction for, a
serious offence the material was seized has no interest in the material.
(3) If
the court makes an order under subsection (2), the responsible custodian
of the material must arrange for the material to be returned to the applicant.
(1) If—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act has been seized under a search warrant, or
under Subdivision 3, on the ground that a person believes on reasonable grounds
that it is tainted property; and
(b) at
the time when the material was seized, an application had not been made for a
restraining order or a forfeiture order that would cover the material; and
(c) such
an application is not made during the period of 25 days after the day on which
the material was seized,
the responsible custodian of the material must arrange for the
material to be returned to the person from whose possession it was seized as
soon as practicable after the end of that period.
(2) However,
this section does not apply to material to which section 187 applies.
187—Effect of obtaining restraining orders
(1) If—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act has been seized under a search warrant, or
under Subdivision 3, on the ground that a person believes on reasonable grounds
that it is tainted property; and
(b) but
for this subsection, the responsible custodian of the material would be
required to arrange for the material to be returned to a person as soon as
practicable after the end of a particular period; and
(c) before
the end of that period, a restraining order is made covering the material,
then—
(d) if
the restraining order directs the Administrator to take custody and control of
the material—the responsible custodian must arrange for the material to be
given to the Administrator in accordance with the restraining order; or
(e) if
the court that made the restraining order has made an order under
subsection (3) in relation to the material—the responsible custodian must
arrange for the material to be kept until it is dealt with in accordance with
another provision of this Act.
(2) If—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act has been seized under a search warrant, or
under Subdivision 3, on the ground that a person believes on reasonable grounds
that it is tainted property; and
(b) a
restraining order is made in relation to the material; and
(c) at
the time when the restraining order is made, the material is in the possession
of the responsible custodian,
the responsible custodian of the material may apply to the court
that made the restraining order for an order that the responsible custodian
retain possession of the material.
(3) The
court may, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that
the material may afford evidence as to the commission of an offence, make an
order that the responsible custodian may retain the material for so long as the
material is required as evidence as to the commission of that offence.
(4) A
witness who is giving evidence relating to an application for an order under
subsection (2) is not required to answer a question or produce a document
if the court is satisfied that the answer or document may prejudice the
investigation of, or the prosecution of a person for, an offence.
188—Effect of refusing applications for restraining orders or forfeiture orders
If—
(a) material
liable to seizure under this Act has been seized under a search warrant, or
under Subdivision 3, on the ground that a person believes on reasonable grounds
that it is tainted property; and
(b) an
application is made for a restraining order or a forfeiture order that would
cover the material; and
(c) the
application is refused; and
(d) at
the time when the application is refused, the material is in the possession of
the responsible custodian,
the responsible custodian must arrange for the material to be
returned to the person from whose possession it was seized as soon as
practicable after the refusal.
189—Making false statements in applications
A person who makes a false or misleading
statement (whether orally, in a document or in any other way) in, or in
connection with, an application for a search warrant is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.
Division 1—Powers and duties of the
Administrator
190—Appointment of Administrator
(1) The
Minister may appoint a person, or a person for the time being holding or acting
in a particular office or position, as the Administrator under this Act.
(2) An
appointment under this section may be subject to such conditions as the
Minister thinks fit.
191—Property to which the Administrator’s powers and duties under this Division apply
(1) The
Administrator must perform a duty imposed by, and may exercise a power
conferred by, this Division in relation to controlled property.
(2) However,
the Administrator must perform a duty imposed, and may exercise a power
conferred, by Subdivision 4 in relation to property that is the subject of a
restraining order, whether or not the property is controlled property.
Subdivision 2—Obtaining information about controlled property
(1) The Administrator, or another person
authorised in writing by the Administrator to exercise powers under this
section, for the purpose of—
(a) ensuring
that all controlled property is under the Administrator’s custody and control;
or
(b) ensuring
the effective exercise of the Administrator’s powers or the performance of the
Administrator’s duties, under this Division in relation to the controlled
property,
may, by notice in writing, require—
(c) the
suspect in relation to a restraining order covering the controlled property; or
(d) any
other person entitled to, or claiming an interest in, the controlled property,
to produce specified documents in the possession of the person—
(e) to
a specified person; and
(f) at
a specified place, and within a specified period or at a specified time on a
specified day, being a place, and a period or a time and day, that are
reasonable in the circumstances.
(2) If documents are produced under
subsection (1), the Administrator, or other person making the requirement,
or the person to whom the documents are produced may—
(a) make
copies of, or take extracts from, the documents; and
(b) require—
(i) the
person required to produce the documents; or
(ii) any
other person who was a party to the compilation of the documents,
to explain any matter relating to the documents, or the
compilation of the documents.
(3) If documents required under
subsection (1) to be produced are not produced, the Administrator, or
other person making the requirement, or the person to whom the documents are
required to be produced, may require the person required to produce the
documents to state—
(a) where
the documents may be found; and
(b) who
last had possession, custody or control of the documents and where that person
may be found.
(4) A person who refuses or fails to comply
with a requirement under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(5) A person who obstructs or hinders a person
in the exercise of a power under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(6) The
production of documents under this section does not prejudice a lien that a
person has on the documents.
193—Suspect to assist Administrator
(1) The suspect in relation to a restraining
order covering controlled property must not, unless excused by the
Administrator or with a reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to—
(a) produce
to the Administrator such documents as the Administrator may require (including
documents of an associated entity (within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Act
1966 of the Commonwealth) of the person) that—
(i) are
in the person’s possession; and
(ii) relate
to any of the person’s affairs; and
(b) attend
before the Administrator at a time and place as the Administrator may
reasonably require; and
(c) give
to the Administrator such information about any of the person’s conduct and
examinable affairs as the Administrator may require; and
(d) give
to the Administrator such assistance as the Administrator may reasonably
require,
in connection with the exercise of the
Administrator’s powers or the performance of the Administrator’s duties under
this Division in relation to the controlled property.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(2) A person who obstructs or hinders the
Administrator in the exercise of a power under subsection (1) is guilty of
an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
194—Power to obtain information and evidence
(1) The Administrator may, by notice in
writing, require a person—
(a) to
give to the Administrator such information as the Administrator may require;
and
(b) to
attend before the Administrator, or a person authorised in writing by the
Administrator, and—
(i) give
evidence; and
(ii) produce
all documents in the possession of the person notified,
relating to the exercise of the Administrator’s powers or the
performance of the Administrator’s duties under this Division.
(2) The
Administrator, or a person authorised in writing by the Administrator, may
require the information or evidence to be given on oath (and for that purpose
may administer an oath) and either orally or in writing.
(3) A person who refuses or fails to comply
with a requirement under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
(1) If
a natural person is required to give information, answer a question or produce,
or provide a copy of, a document or record under section 194 and the
information, answer, document or record would tend to incriminate the person or
make the person liable to a penalty (including in the nature of a confiscation
order under this Act), the person must nevertheless give the information,
answer the question or produce, or provide a copy of, the document or record,
but the information, answer, document or record will not be admissible in
evidence against the person in proceedings for an offence other than
proceedings in respect of the making of a false or misleading statement or
declaration.
(2) To avoid doubt, an answer given or document
produced under section 194 is admissible in proceedings—
(a) on,
or ancillary to, an application under this Act; or
(b) for
enforcement of a confiscation order.
196—Failure of person to attend
A person who, being required under
section 194(1)(b) to attend before the Administrator, or a person
authorised in writing by the Administrator, fails to attend as required is
guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
197—Refusal to be sworn or give evidence etc
A person who, being required under
section 194(1)(b) to attend before the Administrator, or a person
authorised in writing by the Administrator—
(a) attends
before the Administrator, or a person authorised in writing by the
Administrator; and
(b) refuses
or fails—
(i) to
be sworn; or
(ii) to
answer a question that the person is required to answer by the Administrator or
a person authorised under that paragraph, as the case may require; or
(iii) to
produce any documents that the person is required to produce,
is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $2 500 or imprisonment for 6 months.
Subdivision 3—Dealings relating to controlled property
198—Preserving controlled property
The Administrator may do anything that is
reasonably necessary for the purpose of preserving the controlled property,
including—
(a) becoming
a party to any civil proceedings affecting the property; and
(b) ensuring
that the property is insured; and
(c) realising
or otherwise dealing with any of the property that is securities or
investments; and
(d) if
any of the property is a business—
(i) employing,
or terminating the employment of, persons in the business; or
(ii) doing
anything necessary or convenient to carry on the business on a sound commercial
basis.
199—Rights attaching to shares
The Administrator may exercise the rights
attaching to any of the controlled property that is shares—
(a) as
if the Administrator were the registered holder of the shares; and
(b) to
the exclusion of the registered holder.
200—Destroying or disposing of property
(1) The Administrator may destroy controlled
property if—
(a) it
is in the public interest to do so; or
(b) it
is required for the health or safety of the public.
(2) The Administrator may dispose of controlled
property, by sale or other means—
(a) with
the agreement of all parties with an interest in the property; or
(b) if
the property is likely to lose value in the opinion of the Administrator; or
(c) if,
in the Administrator’s opinion, the cost of controlling the property until the
Administrator finally deals with it is likely to exceed, or represent a
significant proportion of, the value of the property when it is finally dealt
with.
(3) However, before destroying or disposing of
property under this section, the Administrator must (not less than 14 days
before the proposed destruction or sale) give written notice of the proposed
destruction or disposal to—
(a) the
owner of the controlled property; and
(b) any
other person whom the Administrator has reason to believe may have an interest
in the property.
201—Objection to proposed destruction or disposal
A person who has been notified under section 200(3) of a
proposed destruction or sale under that section may object in writing to the
Administrator within 14 days of receiving the notice.
202—Procedure if person objects to proposed destruction or disposal
(1) If
an objection to a proposed destruction or disposal of controlled property has
been made, the Administrator may apply to the court that made the restraining
order covering the controlled property for an order that the Administrator may
destroy or dispose of the property.
(2) The court may make an order to destroy the
controlled property if—
(a) it
is in the public interest to do so; or
(b) it
is required for the health or safety of the public.
(3) In determining whether it is in the public
interest to destroy the controlled property, the court may take into account—
(a) the
use to which the property would be put if it were sold; and
(b) whether
the cost of restoring the property to a saleable condition would exceed its
realisable value; and
(c) whether
the cost of sale would exceed its realisable value; and
(d) whether
the sale of the property would otherwise be legal; and
(e) any
other matter the court thinks fit.
(4) The court may make an order to dispose of
the controlled property if, in the court’s opinion—
(a) the
property is likely to lose value; or
(b) the
cost of controlling the property until it is finally dealt with by the
Administrator is likely to exceed, or represent a significant proportion of,
the value of the property when it is finally dealt with.
(5) The court may also order—
(a) that
a specified person bear the costs of controlling the controlled property until
it is finally dealt with by the Administrator; or
(b) that
a specified person bear the costs of an objection to a proposed destruction or
disposal of the property.
203—Proceeds from sale of property
Amounts realised from a sale of controlled
property under section 200—
(a) are
taken to be covered by the restraining order that covered the property; and
(b) if
the restraining order covered the property on the basis that the property was
proceeds of a serious offence or an instrument of a serious offence to which
the order relates—continue to be proceeds of the offence or an instrument of
the offence.
Subdivision 4—Discharging pecuniary penalty orders and literary proceeds orders
204—Direction by a court to the Administrator
(1) A court that makes a pecuniary penalty
order or literary proceeds order may, in the order, direct the Administrator to
pay the Crown, out of property that is subject to a restraining order, an
amount equal to—
(a) the
penalty amount under a pecuniary penalty order; or
(b) the
amount to be paid under a literary proceeds order,
if—
(c) the
order is made against a person in relation to one or more serious offences; and
(d) the
restraining order has already been made against that person in relation to the
serious offence or one or more of the serious offences, or in relation to one
or more related offences.
(2) A court that makes a restraining order may,
in the order, direct the Administrator to pay the Crown, out of property that
is subject to a restraining order, an amount equal to—
(a) the
penalty amount under a pecuniary penalty order; or
(b) the
amount to be paid under a literary proceeds order,
if—
(c) the
pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds order has been made against a
person in relation to one or more serious offences; and
(d) the
restraining order is subsequently made—
(i) against
the person in relation to the serious offence or one or more of the serious
offences; or
(ii) against
property of another person in relation to which an order is in force under
section 123(1).
(3) A court that made a pecuniary penalty
order, a literary proceeds order or a restraining order may, on the application
of the DPP, direct the Administrator to pay the Crown, out of property that is
subject to a restraining order, an amount equal to—
(a) the
penalty amount under a pecuniary penalty order; or
(b) the
amount to be paid under a literary proceeds order,
if—
(c) the
pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds order has been made against a
person in relation to one or more serious offences; and
(d) the
restraining order has been made—
(i) against
the person in relation to the serious offence or one or more of the serious
offences; or
(ii) against
property of another person in relation to which an order is in force under
section 123(1).
(4) For the purposes of enabling the
Administrator to comply with a direction given by a court under this section, a
court may, in the order in which the direction is given or by a subsequent
order—
(a) direct
the Administrator to sell or otherwise dispose of such of the property that is
subject to the restraining order as the court specifies; and
(b) appoint
an officer of the court or any other person—
(i) to
execute any deed or instrument in the name of a person who owns or has an
interest in the property; and
(ii) to
do any act or thing necessary to give validity and operation to the deed or
instrument.
(5) The
execution of a deed or instrument by a person appointed by an order under
subsection (4) has the same force and validity as if the deed or
instrument had been executed by the person who owned or had the interest in the
property.
205—Administrator not to carry out directions during appeal periods
(1) If the Administrator is given a direction
under section 204 in relation to property, the Administrator must not take
any action to comply with the direction until—
(a) if
the person has not been convicted of the serious offence, or any of the serious
offences, to which the pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds order
relates—
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds order to which the
direction relates—the end of that period; or
(ii) if
an appeal against the pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds order has
been lodged—when the appeal lapses or is finally determined; or
(b) if
the person is convicted of the serious offence, or any of the serious offences,
to which the pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds order relates—
(i) if
an appeal has not been lodged within the period provided for lodging an appeal
against the conviction or convictions to which the direction relates—the end of
that period; or
(ii) if
an appeal against the conviction or convictions has been lodged—when the appeal
lapses or is finally determined; or
(iii) the
appeal period under paragraph (a),
whichever ends last.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)(b)—
(a) if
the person is to be taken to have been convicted of a serious offence because
of section 5(1)(b)—references to lodging of an appeal against the
conviction are references to lodging of an appeal against the finding that the
person is guilty of the offence; and
(b) if
the person is to be taken to have been convicted of a serious offence because
of section 5(1)(c)—references to lodging of an appeal against the
conviction are references to lodging of an appeal against the person’s
conviction of the other offence referred to in that paragraph.
206—Discharge of pecuniary penalty orders and literary proceeds orders
If the Administrator pays the Crown, in
accordance with a direction under this Subdivision, an amount of money equal to—
(a) the
penalty amount under a pecuniary penalty order made against a person; or
(b) the
amount to be paid under a literary proceeds order made against a person,
that money must be dealt with as required by section 209 and
the person’s liability under a pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds
order (as the case requires) is discharged.
207—Payments to Legal Services Commission for representing suspects and other persons
(1) The Administrator may pay to the Legal
Services Commission, out of the property of a suspect that is covered by a
restraining order, legal assistance costs—
(a) for
representing the suspect in criminal proceedings; and
(b) for
representing the suspect in proceedings under this Act.
(2) The
Administrator may pay to the Legal Services Commission, out of the property of
a person other than the suspect that is covered by a restraining order, legal
assistance costs for representing the person in proceedings under this Act.
(3) The
Administrator may only pay legal assistance costs referred to in this section
with the authority of the court under subsection (4).
(4) If the court is satisfied, on application
by the Legal Services Commission, that it is unlikely that anyone other than a
particular assisted person could, assuming that property subject to a
restraining order were not forfeited, establish a lawful claim to the property
(or a particular part of, or interest in, the property)—
(a) the
court must authorise the application of the property (or the relevant part of,
or interest in, the property) towards payment of legal assistance costs; and
(b) may
make any other order that may be necessary or appropriate in the circumstances
(such as an order for partition of the property or an order for its sale or
conversion into money).
(5) The
Legal Services Commission may only make an application under subsection (4)
for an order authorising the application of restrained property towards payment
of legal assistance costs if satisfied that the assisted person has no other
source of funds (within or outside the State) to which the Commission could
reasonably have recourse for the legal assistance costs.
(6) Before
the court authorises the application of property subject to a restraining order
towards payment of legal assistance costs, the court must allow the
Attorney-General an opportunity to appear and be heard on the matter.
208—Disclosure of information to Legal Services Commission
The DPP or the Administrator may, for the purpose of assisting the
Legal Services Commission to determine whether a person should receive legal
assistance under this Division, disclose to the Commission information obtained
under this Act that is relevant to making that determination.
Division 3—Victims of Crime Fund
209—Credits to the Victims of Crime Fund
(1) Subject to any direction of a court under
this Act—
(a) any
proceeds of confiscated assets; and
(b) any
money deriving from the enforcement in the State of an order under a
corresponding law,
must be applied towards the costs of administering this Act
(including any costs involved in dealing with, or disposing of property in
accordance with this Act and salary and other costs associated with the
employment of the Administrator) and the balance must be paid into the Victims
of Crime Fund.
(2) Any money—
(a) paid
to the Crown under the equitable sharing program, being the Crown's share of
proceeds resulting from a breach of the criminal law of a State or Territory;
or
(b) received
by the Commonwealth from a foreign country within the meaning of the Mutual
Assistance Act under a treaty or arrangement providing for mutual assistance in
criminal matters and paid by the Commonwealth to the Crown,
must be paid into the Victims of Crime Fund.
(3) The
purposes for which money may be applied from the Victims of Crime Fund include
payments to the Commonwealth or to another State or a Territory of the
Commonwealth, under the equitable sharing program.
(4) In this section—
costs of administering this Act includes the payment of any money in
accordance with section 57;
equitable sharing program means an arrangement under which—
(a) the
Crown shares with the Commonwealth or a reciprocating State the proceeds
resulting from a breach of the criminal law of the State if the Commonwealth or
the reciprocating State have made a significant contribution to the recovery of
the proceeds; or
(b) the
Commonwealth or a reciprocating State shares with the Crown the proceeds of any
unlawful activity if the Crown has made a significant contribution to the
recovery of those proceeds.
proceeds of confiscated assets means—
(a) the
amount referred to in section 72(1) or 73(f);
(b) the
amount referred to in section 81(1)(c) or 82(f);
(c) the
amounts referred to in section 93(2);
(d) an
amount payable to the Crown under a confiscation order;
(e) the
remainder of the money and amounts referred to in section 206;
(f) the
amount referred to in section 206.
Division 4—Charges on property
Subdivision 1—Charge to secure certain amounts payable to the Crown
210—Charge on property subject to restraining order
(1) If—
(a) a
confiscation order is made against a person in relation to a serious offence;
and
(b) a
restraining order relating to the offence or a related offence is, or has been,
made against—
(i) the
person’s property; or
(ii) another
person’s property in relation to which an order under section 123(1) is,
or has been, made,
then, upon the making of the later of the orders, there is
created, by force of this section, a charge on the property to secure the
payment to the Crown of the penalty amount or the literary proceeds amount (as
the case requires).
(2) The charge ceases to have effect in respect
of the property—
(a) if
the order was made in relation to the person’s conviction of the serious
offence and that conviction is quashed—upon the order being discharged under
Part 5 Division 3 Subdivision 5; or
(b) upon
the discharge of the order or the restraining order by a court hearing an
appeal against the making of the order; or
(c) upon
payment to the Crown of the penalty amount or the amount to be paid under the
literary proceeds order in satisfaction of the order; or
(d) upon
the sale or other disposition of the property—
(i) under
an order under Part 7 Division 1 Subdivision 4; or
(ii) by
the owner of the property with the consent of the court that made the order; or
(iii) if
the restraining order directed the Administrator to take custody and control of
the property—by the owner of the property with the consent of the
Administrator; or
(e) upon
the sale of the property to a purchaser in good faith for value who, at the
time of purchase, had no notice of the charge,
whichever first occurs.
Subdivision 2—Charge to secure certain amounts payable to Legal Services Commission
211—Legal Services Commission charges
(1) If—
(a) the
Legal Services Commission is to be paid an amount out of property that is
covered by a restraining order; and
(b) either—
(i) the
court revokes the restraining order; or
(ii) the
order ceases to be in force under section 46,
there is created by force of this section a charge on the property
to secure the payment of the amount to the Legal Services Commission.
(2) A charge created under subsection (1)
ceases to have effect—
(a) when
the amount owing is paid to the Legal Services Commission; or
(b) when
the person sells or disposes of the property with the consent of the
Administrator,
whichever occurs first.
Subdivision 3—Registering and priority of charges
(1) If
a charge is created by this Act on property of a particular kind, the
Administrator or the DPP may cause the charge to be registered under the
provisions of an Act providing for the registration of title to, or charges
over, property of that kind.
(2) For
the purposes of section 210(2)(e), a person who purchases or otherwise
acquires an interest in the property after registration of the charge is taken
to have notice of the charge at the time of the purchase or acquisition.
A charge created by this Act—
(a) is
subject to every encumbrance on the property that came into existence before
the charge and that would otherwise have priority; and
(b) has
priority over all other encumbrances; and
(c) subject
to this Act, is not affected by a change of ownership of the property.
214—Authorised officers to be issued identity cards
(1) An authorised officer (other than the DPP
or a police officer) must be issued with an identity card—
(a) containing
the person's name and a photograph of the person; and
(b) stating
that the person is an authorised officer for the purposes of this Act.
(2) An authorised officer (other than the DPP)
must, at the request of a person in relation to whom the authorised officer
intends to exercise any powers under this Act, produce for the inspection of
the person—
(a) in
the case of an authorised officer who is a police officer—his or her warrant
card; or
(b) in
any other case—his or her identity card.
215—Immunity from civil liability
(1) No
personal liability attaches to the Administrator, the DPP, an authorised
officer or any other person engaged in the administration of this Act for an
honest act or omission in the exercise, or purported exercise, of a power,
function or duty under this Act.
(2) A
liability that would, but for subsection (1), lie against a person, lies
instead against the Crown.
216—Manner of giving notices etc
A notice, order or other document required
or authorised by this Act to be given to or served on a person may be given or
served—
(a) by
delivering it personally to the person r an agent of the person; or
(b) by
leaving it for the person at the person's place of residence or business with
someone apparently over the age of 16 years; or
(c) by
posting it to the person or agent of the person at the person's or agent's last
known place of residence or business; or
(d) in
any other manner prescribed by regulation.
217—Registration of orders made under corresponding laws
(1) An
order under a corresponding law may be registered, on application by the
Administrator, in the Supreme Court.
(2) On
registration, the order has, in relation to property in this State to which it
is expressed to apply, the same effect as it has in relation to property in the
State or Territory in which it was made but as if it were made in favour of the
Crown in right of this State.
(3) However,
the Court may make adaptations or modifications to the order (as it applies in
this State) the Court considers necessary or desirable for the effective
operation of the order in this State.
218—Certain proceedings to be civil
(1) Proceedings
on an application for a freezing order, a restraining order or a confiscation
order are civil proceedings.
(2) Except in relation to an offence under this
Act—
(a) the
rules of construction applicable only in relation to the criminal law do not
apply in the interpretation of this Act; and
(b) the
rules of evidence applicable in civil proceedings apply to proceedings under
this Act.
(1) A court may make an order in a proceeding
under Part 3, Part 4 or Part 5 with the consent of—
(a) the
applicant in the proceeding; and
(b) each
person that the court has reason to believe has an interest in property the
subject of the proceeding.
(2) An order may be made—
(a) without
consideration of the matters that the court would otherwise consider in the
proceeding; and
(b) if
the order is an order under section 47(1)(b)—before the end of the period
of 6 months referred to in section 47(1)(b).
220—Onus and standard of proof
(1) The
applicant in any proceedings under this Act bears the onus of proving the
matters necessary to establish the grounds for making the order applied for.
(2) Subject
to section 47(7) and section 98, any question of fact to be decided
by a court on an application under this Act is to be decided on the balance of
probabilities.
221—Applications to certain courts
(1) If,
during the course of criminal proceedings before a court in respect of a
serious offence, the DPP applies for an order under this Act relating to the
offence, the court must deal with the application during the course of the
criminal proceedings unless satisfied by the defendant that to do so would not
be appropriate in the circumstances.
(2) If an application for an order under this
Act is made to a court before which a person was convicted of a serious offence—
(a) the
application may be dealt with by the court; and
(b) any
power in relation to the relevant order may be exercised by the court,
whether or not the court is constituted in the same way as when
the person was convicted of the offence.
(1) A certificate of conviction of an offence
that complies with a requirement of Evidence Act 1929—
(a) is
admissible in civil proceedings under this Act; and
(b) is
evidence of the commission of the offence by the person to whom it relates.
(2) In proceedings—
(a) on
an application for an order under this Act; or
(b) ancillary
to such an application; or
(c) for
the enforcement of an order made under this Act,
the transcript of any examination is evidence of the answers given
by a person to a question put to the person in the course of the examination.
(3) In
proceedings for an offence against this Act, an allegation in the complaint or
information that a person named in the complaint or information was on a
specified date an authorised person in relation to this Act, or a specified
provision or provisions of this Act, will be accepted, in the absence of proof
to the contrary, as proof of the authorisation.
The fact that criminal proceedings have been instituted or have
commenced (whether or not under this Act) is not a ground on which a court may
stay proceedings under this Act that are not criminal proceedings.
224—Effect of the confiscation scheme on sentencing
A court passing sentence on a person in
respect of the person’s conviction of a serious offence—
(a) may
have regard to any cooperation by the person in resolving any action taken
against the person under this Act; and
(b) must
not have regard to any forfeiture order that relates to the offence, to the
extent that the order forfeits proceeds of the offence; and
(c) must
have regard to the forfeiture order to the extent that the order forfeits any
other property; and
(d) must
not have regard to any pecuniary penalty order, or any literary proceeds order,
that relates to the offence.
225—Deferral of sentencing pending determination of confiscation order
If—
(a) an
application is made for a confiscation order in respect of a person’s
conviction of a serious offence to the court before which the person was
convicted; and
(b) the
court has not, when the application is made, passed sentence on the person for
the offence,
the court may, if satisfied that it is reasonable to do so in all
the circumstances, defer passing sentence until it has determined the
application for the confiscation order.
(1) A person—
(a) against
whom a confiscation order is made; or
(b) who
has an interest in property against which a forfeiture order is made; or
(c) who
has an interest in property that is declared in an order under section 123
to be available to satisfy a pecuniary penalty order or literary proceeds
order,
may appeal against the confiscation order, forfeiture order or
order under section 123—
(d) in
the case of an order made in relation to a conviction of a serious offence—as
if the order was, or was part of, the sentence imposed on the person in respect
of the offence; or
(e) in
any other case—as if the person had been convicted of the serious offence to
which the order relates and the order was, or was part of, the sentence imposed
on the person in respect of the offence.
(2) The DPP—
(a) has
the same right of appeal as a person referred to in subsection (1) has
under this section; and
(b) may
appeal against a refusal by a court to make an order as if such an order had
been made and the DPP was appealing against that order.
(3) On
an appeal under this section, the court may confirm, discharge or vary the
order.
(4) Nothing
in this section affects any other right of appeal.
(1) A court may, if—
(a) a
person brings, or appears at, proceedings under this Act—
(i) to
prevent a forfeiture order or restraining order from being made against
property of the person; or
(ii) to
have property of the person excluded from a forfeiture order or restraining
order; and
(b) the
person is successful in those proceedings; and
(c) the
court is satisfied that the person was not involved in any way in the
commission of the serious offence in respect of which the forfeiture order or
restraining order was sought or made,
order the Crown to pay the person costs in connection with the
proceedings or such part of those costs as is determined by the court.
(2) To
avoid doubt, the costs referred to in subsection (1) are not limited to
costs of a kind that are normally recoverable by the successful party to civil
proceedings.
(1) If—
(a) money
of a person is seized or forfeited under this Act; and
(b) not
less than one month after the seizure or forfeiture, the money (or an equal
amount of money) is required under this Act to be paid back to the person or
the person is required to be compensated by the Crown under this Act in respect
of the seizure or forfeiture,
the person is entitled to be paid interest on the money at the
prescribed rate.
(2) An
amount payable by the Crown under this section is recoverable as a debt.
(3) Except
as provided by this section, no interest is payable by the Crown in respect of
property seized or forfeited under this Act.
229—Effect of a person’s death
(1) A
notice authorised or required to be given to a person under this Act is, if the
person has died, taken to be given to the person if given to the person’s legal
representative.
(2) A
reference in this Act to a person’s interest in property or a thing includes,
if the person has died, a reference to an interest in the property or thing
that the person had immediately before his or her death.
(3) Nothing in this Act prevents an order from
being applied for and made—
(a) in
respect of a person’s interest in property or a thing; or
(b) on
the basis of the activities of a person,
after the death of the person.
The Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or
necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.
Schedule 1—Related amendments, repeals and transitional
provisions
Part 1—Preliminary
In this Schedule, a provision under a heading referring to the
amendment of a specified Act amends the Act so specified.
Part 2—Amendment
of Controlled Substances Act 1984
Section 43—delete this section
3—Amendment of section 44—Matters to be considered when court fixes penalty
Section 44(d)(ii)—delete "an
application for forfeiture of property has been made under the Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 1996 in respect of that financial gain"
and substitute:
that financial gain is the subject of an application under the Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 2004
4—Amendment of section 52A—Seized property and forfeiture
Section 52A(12)—delete subsection (12) and
substitute:
(12) Nothing
in this section affects the operation of the Criminal Assets Confiscation
Act 2004.
Part 3—Amendment
of Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935
5—Amendment of section 348—Interpretation
Section 348, definition of ancillary order, (a) and
(b)—delete paragraphs (a) and (b)
Part 4—Amendment
of Financial Transaction Reports (State Provisions) Act 1992
6—Amendment of section 5—Further reports of suspect transactions
Section 5(2)(b)—delete "Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 1996" and substitute:
Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 2004
7—Amendment of section 6—Reports of suspect transactions not reported under Commonwealth Act
(1) Section 6(1)(b)—delete "Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 1996" and substitute:
Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 2004
(2) Section 6(7)(b)—delete "Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 1996" and substitute:
Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 2004
Part 5—Amendment
of Legal Services Commission Act 1977
8—Amendment of section 5—Interpretation
Section 5, definition of restraining
order—delete "Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 1996"
and substitute:
Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 2004
9—Amendment of section 18B—Special provisions in relation to property subject to a restraining order
Section 18B(4)(b)—delete "Criminal
Assets Confiscation Act 1996" and substitute:
Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 2004
Part 6—Repeal
of Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 1996
The Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 1996 is repealed.
Part 7—Transitional
provisions
(1) An
order in force under the former Act immediately before the commencement of this
Act continues in force, subject to this Act, as if this Act had been in force
when the order was made and the order had been made under this Act.
(2) In this clause—
former Act means the Criminal Assets Confiscation Act 1996.