CHILD CARE ACT 1972 - SECT 12N Secretary's certificate

CHILD CARE ACT 1972 - SECT 12N

  (1)   Despite sections   12L and 12M, the Secretary may:

  (a)   if the Secretary certifies that it is necessary in the public interest to do so in a particular case or class of cases--disclose information acquired by an officer in the performance of his or her functions or duties or in the exercise of his or her powers under this Act or a family assistance law to such persons and for such purposes as the Secretary determines; or

  (b)   disclose any such information to the Secretary of a Department of State of the Commonwealth or to the head of an authority of the Commonwealth for the purposes of that Department or authority; or

  (c)   disclose any such information to a person who is expressly or impliedly authorised by the person to whom the information relates to obtain it.

Note:   A person to whom information is disclosed may commit an offence if the person uses the information without authority (see section   12L).

  (2)   In giving certificates for the purposes of paragraph   ( 1)(a), the Secretary must act in accordance with guidelines in force under subsection   12P(1).

  (3)   In disclosing information under paragraph   ( 1)(b), the Secretary must act in accordance with guidelines in force under subsection   12P(1).