Contents

Part 1--Preliminary                                                                                                                1

1............ Short title [see Note 1]....................................................................... 1

2............ Commencement [see Note 1].............................................................. 1

3............ Object of Act...................................................................................... 1

4............ Extension to external Territories......................................................... 2

5............ Extra‑territorial operation of Act........................................................ 2

6............ Act binds the Crown.......................................................................... 2

7............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 2

8............ Approved forms and approved procedures....................................... 7

8A......... Electronic lodgment............................................................................ 7

8B......... Regulations may define consumption, processing and production of chemicals      7

9............ Conduct by directors, servants and agents......................................... 7

10.......... Determining aggregate amounts of chemicals...................................... 9

11.......... Application of Act........................................................................... 10

11A....... Application of the Criminal Code.................................................... 11

Part 2--Offences relating to chemical weapons                                                   12

12.......... Offences relating to chemical weapons............................................. 12

13.......... Notification of finding of substances or articles believed to be chemical weapons 12

14.......... Forfeiture and seizure of chemical weapons..................................... 13

Part 3--Permits and notifications concerning certain facilities                   15

15.......... Outline of this Part........................................................................... 15

Division 1--Permits                                                                                                     16

16.......... When is a permit required?............................................................... 16

17.......... Applications for permits.................................................................. 17

18.......... Grant of permits............................................................................... 17

19.......... Special considerations relating to permits for the operation of facilities in respect of Schedule 1 chemicals          18

19A....... Automatic renewal of permits.......................................................... 20

20.......... Non‑automatic renewal of permits................................................... 20

21.......... Renewals not able to be dealt with within time................................ 21

22.......... Conditions relating to a permit facility............................................. 21

23.......... Variation of permits.......................................................................... 22

24.......... Transfer of permits........................................................................... 22

24A....... Transfer of permits--notification by previous permit holder......... 23

25.......... Revocation of permits...................................................................... 23

26.......... Notice of certain decisions................................................................ 24

27.......... Review of decisions.......................................................................... 25

Division 2--Notifications                                                                                           26

28.......... When is a notification required?....................................................... 26

29.......... Making notifications required under section 28............................... 27

Part 4--Record keeping and information gathering                                          29

30.......... Record keeping obligations in relation to certain facilities................ 29

31.......... Director may seek information for declarations and consultation purposes           30

Part 5--Verification procedures                                                                                    32

32.......... Outline of this Part........................................................................... 32

Division 1--Compliance inspections by national inspectors                  33

33.......... Compliance purpose......................................................................... 33

34.......... Inspection powers............................................................................ 33

35.......... Compliance inspections by national inspectors............................... 34

36.......... Period within which compliance inspection may be carried out...... 34

Division 2--International compliance inspections                                       35

37.......... International compliance purpose.................................................... 35

38.......... International inspection powers....................................................... 35

39.......... Routine international compliance inspections of Schedule 1 facilities 36

40.......... Routine international compliance inspections of facilities dealing with Schedule 2 chemicals                37

41.......... Routine international compliance inspections of facilities dealing with Schedule 3 chemicals                38

42.......... Routine international compliance inspections of OCP facilities...... 38

43.......... Inspectors not entitled to exercise powers under this Division in certain circumstances        39

44.......... Incidence of routine international compliance inspections............... 39

Division 3--Challenge inspections                                                                      40

45.......... Challenge inspection purposes......................................................... 40

46.......... Challenge inspection powers............................................................ 40

47.......... Challenge inspections....................................................................... 41

48.......... Observers.......................................................................................... 42

49.......... Clarification procedures.................................................................... 43

Division 4--Warrants relating to compliance and challenge inspections              45

50.......... Compliance inspection warrants...................................................... 45

51.......... International compliance inspection warrants.................................. 45

52.......... Challenge inspection warrants.......................................................... 46

53.......... Duration of inspection period.......................................................... 47

54.......... Ministerial extension of inspection periods..................................... 47

55.......... Challenge inspection warrant to authorise presence of an observer. 48

Division 5--Offence‑related searches and seizures                                   49

56.......... Definition.......................................................................................... 49

57.......... Offence‑related searches and seizures.............................................. 49

58.......... Offence‑related warrants.................................................................. 49

59.......... The things that are authorised by search warrant............................. 51

60.......... Specific powers available to national inspectors executing warrants 51

61.......... Use of equipment to examine or process things............................... 52

62.......... Use of electronic equipment at premises.......................................... 53

63.......... Warrants by telephone or other electronic means............................ 55

64.......... Retention of things which are seized................................................ 56

65.......... Court of summary jurisdiction may permit a thing to be retained... 57

Division 6--Miscellaneous provisions relating to warrants                   58

66.......... Announcement before entry............................................................. 58

67.......... Availability of assistance and use of force in executing warrant...... 58

68.......... Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc.................................. 58

69.......... Copies of seized things to be provided............................................ 59

70.......... Compensation for damage to electronic equipment.......................... 59

71.......... Offence of making false statements in applications for warrant...... 60

72.......... Offences relating to telephone warrants........................................... 60

Division 7--Manner of conducting international compliance and challenge inspections--facility agreements and managed access                                                61

73.......... Initial inspection plan....................................................................... 61

74.......... Initial inspection plan and conduct of inspection to be consistent with facility agreement    61

75.......... Managed access................................................................................ 61

Division 8--Facility agreements                                                                            62

76.......... Facility agreements........................................................................... 62

Part 6--Offences                                                                                                                    63

77.......... Production etc. of Scheduled chemicals otherwise than in accordance with permit                63

78.......... Breach of condition of permit........................................................... 64

79.......... Interference with monitoring equipment.......................................... 65

80.......... False or misleading statements and documents................................ 65

81.......... Forfeiture.......................................................................................... 66

82.......... Hearing to be in private in certain circumstances............................. 66

83.......... Register of Permits and Notifications............................................... 67

84.......... Evidence of analyst........................................................................... 68

85.......... Equipment or material approved by Organization........................... 69

Part 7--Administration                                                                                                       70

Division 1--Director of Chemical Weapons Convention Office           70

86.......... Director of the Chemical Weapons Convention Office.................... 70

87.......... Functions of Director....................................................................... 70

88.......... The Chemical Weapons Convention Office..................................... 71

89.......... Delegation by Director..................................................................... 71

Division 2--Controller of Permits and Notifications                                  72

90.......... Controller of Permits and Notifications........................................... 72

91.......... Function of the Controller................................................................ 72

Division 3--National inspectors and consultants                                         73

92.......... National inspectors........................................................................... 73

93.......... Identity cards.................................................................................... 73

94.......... Engagement of consultants etc.......................................................... 73

Part 8--Miscellaneous                                                                                                        74

95.......... Powers to be exercised in accordance with Convention................... 74

96.......... Annual report by Director................................................................ 74

97.......... Additional reports............................................................................ 74

98.......... Register of Permits and Notifications............................................... 75

99.......... Delegation by Minister..................................................................... 75

100........ Organization inspectors.................................................................... 76

101........ Privileges and immunities of Organization inspectors and foreign country inspectors           76

101A..... Privileges and immunities of observers............................................. 76

101B..... Privileges and immunities of other persons...................................... 76

102........ Secrecy.............................................................................................. 77

103........ Australia not liable for acts or omissions of Organization etc.......... 80

104........ Regulations....................................................................................... 80

Schedule--The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction                                     81

Notes                                                                                                                                           243

An Act relating to the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons and the control of certain chemicals capable of being used as chemical weapons, and related provisions

 

Notes to the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994

Note 1

The Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 as shown in this consolidation comprises Act No. 26, 1994 amended as indicated in the Tables below.

For all relevant information pertaining to application, saving or transitional provisions see Table A.

Table of Acts

Act	Number and year	Date of Assent	Date of commencement	Application, saving or transitional provisions
Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994	26, 1994	25 Feb 1994	Ss. 1 and 2: Royal Assent Ss. 86-89, 95-97, 99 and 102-104: 15 Feb 1995 (see Gazette 1995, No. GN4) Remainder: 29 Apr 1997 (a)
Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment Act 1997	150, 1997	17 Oct 1997	Schedule 1 (item 1): Royal Assent (b)	--
Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Amendment Act 1998	9, 1998	6 Apr 1998	Schedule 1 (items 3, 5-15, 17-22, 24-29, 45, 48-50, 55-59, 72-74): 6 Oct 1998 Remainder: Royal Assent	Sch. 1 (items 72-75)
Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999	146, 1999	11 Nov 1999	Schedule 1 (item 284): 5 Dec 1999 (see Gazette 1999, No. S584) (c)	--
Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001	35, 2001	28 Apr 2001	26 May 2001	S. 4
Non‑Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2003	132, 2003	12 Dec 2003	Schedule 1: 13 Dec 2003 Remainder: Royal Assent	--
Non‑Proliferation Legislation Amendment Act 2007	50, 2007	10 Apr 2007	Schedule 1 (items 2-7): 11 Apr 2007	--

(a)     Subsections 2(2)-(4) of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 provide as follows:

                 (2)   Subject to subsections (3) and (4), the remaining provisions of this Act commence on a day or days to be fixed by Proclamation.

                 (3)   Subject to subsection (4), if a provision referred to in subsection (2) does not commence on an earlier day, that provision commences on the day on which the Convention enters into force.

                 (4)   Despite the fact that the provisions of Part 5 are proclaimed to commence at an earlier time, the provisions of that Part, in so far as they permit international compliance inspections of OCP facilities, do not operate until a date:

                              (a)   that is proclaimed for the purpose of this subsection; and

                              (b)   that is not earlier than the third anniversary of the day on which the Convention enters into force.

         The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction came into operation on 29 April 1997.

         In pursuance of subsection 2(4), 17 August 2000 was proclaimed as the date on which the provisions of Part 5, in so far as they permit international compliance inspections of OCP facilities, begin to operate. (See Gazette 2000, No. GN32)

(b)    The Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 was amended by Schedule 1 (item 1) only of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment Act 1997, subsection 2(1) of which provides as follows:

                 (1)   Subject to this section, this Act commences on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

(c)     The Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 was amended by Schedule 1 (item 284) only of the Public Employment (Consequential and Transitional) Amendment Act 1999, subsections 2(1) and (2) of which provide as follows:

                 (1)   In this Act, commencing time means the time when the Public Service Act 1999 commences.

                 (2)   Subject to this section, this Act commences at the commencing time.

Table of Amendments

ad. = added or inserted    am. = amended    rep. = repealed    rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
S. 5......................................	am. No. 50, 2007
Note to s. 5(1).....................	ad. No. 50, 2007
S. 7......................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 8......................................	am. No. 50, 2007
Ss. 8A, 8B...........................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 10....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 11A.................................	ad. No. 35, 2001
Part 2
S. 12....................................	am. No. 35, 2001; No. 50, 2007
Part 3
S. 15....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Division 1
Ss. 17, 18............................	am. No. 9, 1988
S. 19A.................................	ad. No. 9, 1998
Heading to s. 20..................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 20....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 24A.................................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 26....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Division 2
S. 28....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 29....................................	am. No. 9, 1998; No. 35, 2001
Part 4
S. 30....................................	am. No. 9, 1998; No. 35, 2001
S. 31....................................	am. No. 35, 2001
Part 5
Division 2
S. 39....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Note to s. 39........................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 40....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Note to s. 40........................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 41....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Note to s. 41........................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 42....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Note to s. 42........................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 43....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Division 3
S. 47....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Note to s. 47........................	ad. No. 9, 1998
Ss. 48, 49............................	am. No. 9, 1998
Division 4
S. 53....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 55....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Division 8
S. 76....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
Part 6
Ss. 77, 78............................	rs. No. 35, 2001
S. 80....................................	am. No. 9, 1998; No. 35, 2001
Part 7
Division 1
S. 86....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
S. 88....................................	am. No. 132, 2003
Division 3
S. 93....................................	am. No. 35, 2001
Part 8
S. 96....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 98....................................	am. No. 9, 1998
S. 99....................................	am. No. 146, 1999
S. 101A...............................	ad. No. 150, 1997
S. 101B...............................	ad. No. 9, 1998
S. 102..................................	am. No. 9, 1998; No. 35, 2001

Table A

Application, saving or transitional provisions

Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Amendment Act 1998 (No. 9, 1998)

Schedule 1

72  Application of amendments--sections 17 and 96 of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994

The amendments of sections 17 and 96 of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 made by this Schedule apply to applications made after the commencement of this item.

73  Application of amendments--section 18 of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994

The amendment of section 18 of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 made by this Schedule applies to permits granted after the commencement of this item.

74  Transitional--amendments of section 53 of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994

Despite the repeal of subsection 53(3) of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 made by this Schedule, that subsection continues to apply, in relation to an inspection that began before the commencement of this item, as if the repeal had not happened.

75  Application of amendments--section 102 of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994

The amendments of subsections 102(2) and (3) of the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994 made by this Schedule, to the extent that they relate to an eligible person covered by paragraph 102(1)(f) of that Act, apply to information acquired, and documents given, after the commencement of this item.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Legislation Amendment (Application of Criminal Code) Act 2001 (No. 35, 2001)

4  Application of amendments

             (1)  Each amendment made by this Act applies to acts and omissions that take place after the amendment commences.

             (2)  For the purposes of this section, if an act or omission is alleged to have taken place between 2 dates, one before and one on or after the day on which a particular amendment commences, the act or omission is alleged to have taken place before the amendment commences.