Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

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DEFENCE FORCE DISCIPLINE ACT 1982 - SECT 17

Leaving a post, abandoning equipment or otherwise failing to perform duty

             (1)  A defence member is guilty of an offence if the member is engaged on service in connection with operations against the enemy and:

                     (a)  the member:

                              (i)  has a duty to be at a post, position or other place; and

                             (ii)  leaves the post, position or place; or

                     (b)  the member abandons his or her weapons or other equipment; or

                     (c)  the member does not properly perform his or her duty in any other manner in attacking or defending against the enemy.

Maximum punishment:        Imprisonment for 5 years.

             (2)  It is a defence if the member proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for the relevant conduct.

Note:          The defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2). See section 13.4 of the Criminal Code .

             (3)  In this section:

"equipment" includes vehicles, ammunition, instruments and tools.



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