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DRUGS, POISONS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT 1981 - SECT 69UE

Decision of VCAT where protected information exists

S. 69UE(1) substituted by No. 22/2022 s. 85(1).

    (1)     Without limiting any other power of VCAT conferred by or under this Part or any other Act, if VCAT decides that any of the evidence adduced under section 69UD(3A) is protected information, only the following parties are entitled to be present at the hearing of the proceeding to the extent that it relates to that protected information

        (a)     the Chief Commissioner of Police;

        (b)     the special counsel;

        (c)     if the protected information was given to the Secretary by the Chief Commissioner of Police, the Secretary.

S. 69UE(1A) inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 85(1).

    (1A)     Each party that is entitled to be present at the hearing of the proceeding has the right to make submissions as to—

        (a)     the weight that should be given to the evidence supporting the grounds for the refusal to issue or to renew the relevant licence, or the cancellation or the suspension of the relevant licence, that amounts to protected information and any other evidence adduced; and

        (b)     the character of the applicant, being evidence indicating whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a poppy cultivation licence or a poppy processing licence; and

        (c)     whether, in all the circumstances, the poppy cultivation licence or the poppy processing licence should be issued, renewed or re-instated to the applicant.

S. 69UE(2) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 85(2)(a).

    (2)     In determining a proceeding that involves protected information, VCAT must decide—

        (a)     what weight to give the protected information and any other evidence adduced; and

S. 69UE(2)(ab) inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 85(2)(b).

        (ab)     whether the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold a poppy cultivation licence or a poppy processing licence (as the case requires); and

S. 69UE(2)(b) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 85(2)(c).

        (b)     whether, in all the circumstances, the poppy cultivation licence or the poppy processing licence should be issued to the applicant, renewed or reinstated (as the case requires).

S. 69UE(3) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 85(3)(a).

    (3)     If VCAT decides under section 69UD(4) that any evidence adduced is protected information

        (a)     VCAT must take all steps and precautions to prevent release of that information; and

S. 69UE(3)(b) substituted by No. 22/2022 s. 85(3)(b).

        (b)     if the special counsel wishes to seek further instructions from the applicant in relation to the protected information, the special counsel must first submit written question to VCAT for approval; and

S. 69UE(3)(c) inserted by No. 22/2022 s. 85(3)(b).

        (c)     before approving the written questions under paragraph (b), VCAT must hear submissions from the Chief Commissioner of Police on the content of the questions.

    (4)     Despite section 117 of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 , any order issued by VCAT in relation to a decision under this section must only state—

        (a)     whether the decision of the Secretary is upheld or overturned; and

        (b)     if the poppy cultivation licence or the poppy processing licence is not issued, reinstated or renewed (as the case requires), that the applicant or each relevant person in relation to the application has failed to meet the fit and proper person requirements.

S. 69UE(5) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 85(4).

    (5)     VCAT may publish reasons for its decision only to the extent that those reasons do not relate to protected information.

S. 69UF inserted by No. 13/2014 s. 4.



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