Contents

Chapter 1--Introduction                                                                                                      1

Part 1‑1--Preliminary                                                                                                            1

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

2............ Commencement .................................................................................. 1

3............ Identifying defined terms .................................................................... 2

4............ Application of the Criminal Code ...................................................... 3

Part 1‑2--Objects                                                                                                                     4

5............ Principal objects ................................................................................. 4

Part 1‑3--Outline of this Act                                                                                             5

6............ General ................................................................................................ 5

7............ The confiscation scheme (Chapter 2) ................................................. 5

8............ Information gathering (Chapter 3) ...................................................... 5

9............ Administration (Chapter 4) ................................................................ 6

10.......... Miscellaneous (Chapter 5) ................................................................. 6

11.......... Interpreting this Act (Chapter 6) ....................................................... 6

Part 1‑4--Application                                                                                                             7

12.......... Act to bind Crown .............................................................................. 7

13.......... Act to apply both within and outside Australia ................................ 7

14.......... Application ......................................................................................... 7

15.......... Concurrent operation of State/Territory laws .................................... 7

Chapter 2--The confiscation scheme                                                                           8

Part 2‑1--Restraining orders                                                                                            8

16.......... Simplified outline of this Part ............................................................. 8

Division 1--Making restraining orders                                                               8

17.......... Restraining orders--people convicted of or charged with indictable offences         8

18.......... Restraining orders--people suspected of committing serious offences   10

19.......... Restraining orders--people suspected of committing indictable offences etc.         12

20.......... Restraining orders--people suspected of deriving literary proceeds from indictable offences etc.         14

21.......... Refusal to make an order for failure to give undertaking .................. 16

22.......... Restraining orders must only relate to one suspect .......................... 16

23.......... Conditions on restraining orders ....................................................... 17

24.......... Allowance for expenses .................................................................... 17

24A ....... Excluding property from or revoking restraining orders in certain cases when expenses are not allowed                18

Division 2--How restraining orders are obtained                                       20

25.......... DPP may apply for a restraining order ............................................ 20

26.......... Notice of application ........................................................................ 20

27.......... DPP may choose under which section it applies for a restraining order 21

28.......... Prejudice to investigations ................................................................ 21

Division 3--Excluding property from restraining orders                         22

29.......... Court may exclude property from a restraining order ...................... 22

30.......... Application to exclude property from a restraining order after notice of the application for the order   23

31.......... Application to exclude property from a restraining order after notice of the order                 24

32.......... Application not to be heard unless DPP has had reasonable opportunity to conduct an examination    25

Division 4--Giving effect to restraining orders                                            26

33.......... Notice of a restraining order ............................................................. 26

34.......... Registering restraining orders ............................................................ 26

35.......... Notifying registration authorities of exclusions from or variations to restraining orders         27

36.......... Court may set aside a disposition contravening a restraining order . 27

37.......... Contravening restraining orders ........................................................ 28

Division 5--Further orders                                                                                      29

38.......... Court may order Official Trustee to take custody and control of property            29

39.......... Ancillary orders ................................................................................ 29

40.......... Contravening ancillary orders relating to foreign property .............. 31

Division 6--Duration of restraining orders                                                     32

41.......... When a restraining order is in force .................................................. 32

42.......... Application to revoke a restraining order ......................................... 32

43.......... Notice of revocation of a restraining order ....................................... 32

44.......... Giving security etc. to revoke etc. a restraining order ...................... 33

45.......... Cessation of restraining orders ......................................................... 34

Part 2‑2--Forfeiture orders                                                                                              37

46.......... Simplified outline of this Part ........................................................... 37

Division 1--Making forfeiture orders                                                                37

47.......... Forfeiture orders--conduct constituting serious offences ................ 37

48.......... Forfeiture orders--convictions for indictable offences .................... 38

49.......... Forfeiture orders--conduct constituting indictable offences etc. ..... 39

50.......... Existence of other confiscation orders .............................................. 40

51.......... Acquittals do not affect forfeiture orders under section 47 or 49 .... 40

52.......... Making of forfeiture order if person has absconded ......................... 40

53.......... Jurisdictional issues concerning forfeiture orders ............................. 40

Division 2--Other relevant matters when a court is considering whether to make forfeiture orders 42

54.......... Presumption in certain cases that property is an instrument of an offence             42

55.......... Forfeiture orders can extend to other interests in property ............. 42

56.......... Forfeiture orders must specify the value of forfeited property ....... 43

57.......... A person may buy back forfeited property ..................................... 43

58.......... The court may also make supporting directions .............................. 44

Division 3--How forfeiture orders are obtained                                           45

59.......... DPP may apply for a forfeiture order .............................................. 45

60.......... Additional application for a forfeiture order .................................... 45

61.......... Notice of application ........................................................................ 46

62.......... Amending an application .................................................................. 46

63.......... Court may dispense with notice requirements if person has absconded 47

64.......... Procedure on application .................................................................. 47

65.......... Applications to courts before which persons are convicted ............ 48

Division 4--Effect of forfeiture orders                                                               49

66.......... What property is forfeited and when--general rule ......................... 49

67.......... First exception--registrable property .............................................. 49

68.......... Second exception--if a joint owner dies before the order was made 49

69.......... When can the Commonwealth begin dealing with forfeited property? 50

70.......... How must the Commonwealth deal with forfeited property? ......... 51

71.......... Dealings with forfeited property ...................................................... 52

Division 5--Reducing the effect of forfeiture orders                                 53

Subdivision A--Relieving hardship                                                                        53

72.......... Relieving certain dependants from hardship ..................................... 53

Subdivision B--Excluding property from a forfeiture order                              53

73.......... Making exclusion orders ................................................................... 53

74.......... Applying for exclusion orders .......................................................... 55

75.......... Giving notice of matters relevant to an application .......................... 56

76.......... When an application can be heard .................................................... 56

Subdivision C--Compensating for the proportion of property that did not involve proceeds of an offence      56

77.......... Making compensation orders ........................................................... 56

78.......... Applying for compensation orders .................................................. 57

79.......... Giving notice of matters relevant to an application .......................... 57

Division 6--The effect on forfeiture orders of acquittals and quashing of convictions 58

80.......... Forfeiture order made under section 47 or 49 unaffected by acquittal or quashing of conviction            58

81.......... Discharge of forfeiture order made under section 48 on quashing of conviction      58

82.......... Notice of application for confirmation of forfeiture order ............... 58

83.......... Procedure on application for confirmation of forfeiture order ......... 59

84.......... Court may confirm forfeiture order .................................................. 59

85.......... Effect of court's decision on confirmation of forfeiture order .......... 60

86.......... Official Trustee must not deal with forfeited property before the court decides on confirmation of forfeiture order .......................................................................................................... 61

Division 7--Miscellaneous                                                                                       62

87.......... Giving notice if a forfeiture order is discharged on appeal or by quashing of a conviction      62

88.......... Returning property etc. following the discharge of a forfeiture order 62

89.......... Person with interest in forfeited property may buy back the interest 63

90.......... Buying out other interests in forfeited property .............................. 64

Part 2‑3--Forfeiture on conviction of a serious offence                                  66

91.......... Simplified outline of this Part ........................................................... 66

Division 1--Forfeiture on conviction of a serious offence                       66

92.......... Forfeiting restrained property without a forfeiture order if a person has been convicted of a serious offence        66

93.......... Making an extension order extending the period before property is forfeited          67

94.......... Excluding property from forfeiture under this Part .......................... 68

95.......... Court may declare that property has been forfeited under this Part 69

Division 2--Effect of forfeiture on conviction of a serious offence     70

96.......... When is property forfeited--general rule ......................................... 70

97.......... First exception--registrable property .............................................. 70

98.......... Second exception--if a joint owner dies ........................................... 71

99.......... When can the Commonwealth begin dealing with forfeited property? 71

100........ How must forfeited property be dealt with? ................................... 72

101........ Minister may give supporting directions ......................................... 73

Division 3--Recovery of forfeited property                                                    74

102........ Court may make orders relating to transfer of forfeited property etc. 74

103........ Court may make orders relating to buying back forfeited property . 75

104........ Applying for orders under sections 102 and 103 ............................. 75

105........ Person with interest in forfeited property may buy back the interest 76

106........ Buying out other interests in forfeited property .............................. 77

Division 4--The effect on forfeiture of convictions being quashed    78

107........ The effect on forfeiture of convictions being quashed ...................... 78

108........ Notice of application for confirmation of forfeiture ......................... 78

109........ Procedure on application for confirmation of forfeiture ................... 79

110........ Court may confirm forfeiture ........................................................... 79

111........ Effect of court's decision on confirmation of forfeiture ................... 80

112........ Official Trustee must not deal with forfeited property before the court decides on confirmation of forfeiture      80

113........ Giving notice if forfeiture ceases to have effect on quashing of a conviction           80

114........ Returning property etc. following forfeiture ceasing to have effect . 81

Part 2‑4--Pecuniary penalty orders                                                                            83

115........ Simplified outline of this Part ........................................................... 83

Division 1--Making pecuniary penalty orders                                              83

116........ Making pecuniary penalty orders .................................................... 83

117........ Pecuniary penalty orders made in relation to serious offence convictions               84

118........ Making of pecuniary penalty order if person has absconded .......... 84

119........ Ancillary orders ................................................................................ 85

120........ Acquittals do not affect pecuniary penalty orders ........................... 85

Division 2--Penalty amounts                                                                                   86

Subdivision A--General                                                                                            86

121........ Determining penalty amounts .......................................................... 86

Subdivision B--The value of benefits derived from the commission of an offence               87

122........ Evidence the court is to consider ...................................................... 87

123........ Value of benefits derived--non‑serious offences ............................. 88

124........ Value of benefits derived--serious offences ..................................... 88

125........ Value of benefits may be as at time of assessment ........................... 90

126........ Matters that do not reduce the value of benefits .............................. 90

127........ Benefits already the subject of pecuniary penalty ........................... 90

128........ Property under a person's effective control ..................................... 91

129........ Effect of property vesting in an insolvency trustee ......................... 91

Subdivision C--Reducing penalty amounts                                                           91

130........ Reducing penalty amounts to take account of forfeiture and proposed forfeiture   91

131........ Reducing penalty amounts to take account of tax paid .................... 92

132........ Reducing penalty amounts to take account of fines etc. .................. 92

Subdivision D--Varying pecuniary penalty orders to increase penalty amounts                92

133........ Varying pecuniary penalty orders to increase penalty amounts ...... 92

Division 3--How pecuniary penalty orders are obtained                         94

134........ DPP may apply for a pecuniary penalty order ................................ 94

135........ Additional application for a pecuniary penalty order ...................... 94

136........ Notice of application ........................................................................ 95

137........ Amendment of application ............................................................... 95

138........ Procedure on application .................................................................. 96

139........ Applications to courts before which persons are convicted ............ 96

Division 4--Enforcement of pecuniary penalty orders                              97

140........ Enforcement of pecuniary penalty orders ........................................ 97

141........ Property subject to a person's effective control .............................. 97

142........ Charge on property subject to restraining order ............................... 98

143........ Charges may be registered ................................................................ 99

144........ Penalty amounts exceeding the court's jurisdiction ........................ 100

Division 5--The effect on pecuniary penalty orders of convictions being quashed         101

145........ Pecuniary penalty order unaffected if not made in relation to a conviction             101

146........ Discharge of pecuniary penalty order if made in relation to a conviction                101

147........ Notice of application for confirmation of pecuniary penalty order 101

148........ Procedure on application for confirmation of pecuniary penalty order   102

149........ Court may confirm pecuniary penalty order .................................. 102

150........ Effect of court's decision on confirmation of pecuniary penalty order .. 103

Part 2‑5--Literary proceeds orders                                                                          104

151........ Simplified outline of this Part ......................................................... 104

Division 1--Making literary proceeds orders                                             104

152........ Making literary proceeds orders ..................................................... 104

153........ Meaning of literary proceeds .......................................................... 105

154........ Matters taken into account in deciding whether to make literary proceeds orders 106

155........ Additional literary proceeds orders ................................................ 106

156........ Ancillary orders .............................................................................. 106

157........ Acquittals do not affect literary proceeds orders ........................... 106

Division 2--Literary proceeds amounts                                                          107

158........ Determining literary proceeds amounts .......................................... 107

159........ Deductions from literary proceeds amounts .................................. 107

160........ Reducing literary proceeds amounts to take account of tax paid ... 108

161........ Varying literary proceeds orders to increase literary proceeds amounts 108

Division 3--How literary proceeds orders are obtained                        110

162........ DPP may apply for a literary proceeds order ................................ 110

163........ Notice of application ...................................................................... 110

164........ Amendment of application ............................................................. 110

165........ Procedure on application ................................................................ 111

166........ Applications to courts before which persons are convicted .......... 111

Division 4--Enforcement of literary proceeds orders                             112

167........ Enforcement of literary proceeds orders ........................................ 112

168........ Property subject to a person's effective control ............................ 112

169........ Charge on property subject to restraining order ............................. 113

170........ Charges may be registered .............................................................. 114

171........ Literary proceeds amounts exceeding the court's jurisdiction ........ 114

Division 5--The effect on literary proceeds orders of convictions being quashed          116

172........ Literary proceeds order unaffected if not made in relation to a conviction              116

173........ Discharge of literary proceeds order if made in relation to a conviction   116

174........ Notice of application for confirmation of literary proceeds order . 116

175........ Procedure on application for confirmation of literary proceeds order 117

176........ Court may confirm literary proceeds order .................................... 117

177........ Effect of court's decision on confirmation of literary proceeds order 117

Division 6--Literary proceeds orders covering future literary proceeds             118

178........ Literary proceeds orders can cover future literary proceeds .......... 118

179........ Enforcement of literary proceeds orders in relation to future literary proceeds       118

Chapter 3--Information gathering                                                                             119

Part 3‑1--Examinations                                                                                                    119

Division 1--Examination orders                                                                          119

180........ Examination orders relating to restraining orders ............................ 119

181........ Examination orders relating to applications for confirmation of forfeiture               119

182........ Applications for examination orders .............................................. 120

Division 2--Examination notices                                                                        121

183........ Examination notices ........................................................................ 121

184........ Additional examination notices ....................................................... 121

185........ Form and content of examination notices ....................................... 121

Division 3--Conducting examinations                                                             123

186........ Time and place of examination ....................................................... 123

187........ Requirements made of person examined ......................................... 123

188........ Examination to take place in private ............................................... 124

189........ Role of the examinee's lawyer ........................................................ 125

190........ Examination by video link or telephone ......................................... 125

191........ Record of examination .................................................................... 126

192........ Questions of law ............................................................................. 127

193........ Approved examiner may restrict publication of certain material ... 127

194........ Protection of approved examiner etc. ............................................. 128

Division 4--Offences                                                                                                 129

195........ Failing to attend an examination ..................................................... 129

196........ Offences relating to appearance at an examination ......................... 129

197........ Privileged information ..................................................................... 130

198........ Admissibility of answers and documents ....................................... 131

199........ Unauthorised presence at an examination ....................................... 131

200........ Breaching conditions on which records of statements are provided 131

201........ Breaching directions preventing or restricting publication ............. 131

Part 3‑2--Production orders                                                                                          133

202........ Making production orders .............................................................. 133

203........ Contents of production orders ....................................................... 134

204........ Powers under production orders .................................................... 135

205........ Retaining produced documents ....................................................... 135

206 ........ Privilege against self‑incrimination etc. does not apply ................. 136

207........ Varying production orders .............................................................. 136

208........ Jurisdiction of magistrates .............................................................. 137

209........ Making false statements in applications ........................................ 137

210........ Disclosing existence or nature of production orders ....................... 137

211........ Failing to comply with a production order ..................................... 138

212........ Destroying etc. a document subject to a production order ............. 139

Part 3‑3--Notices to financial institutions                                                             140

213........ Giving notices to financial institutions ........................................... 140

214........ Contents of notices to financial institutions ................................... 141

215........ Protection from suits etc. for those complying with notices ......... 141

216........ Making false statements in notices ................................................. 142

217........ Disclosing existence or nature of notice .......................................... 142

218........ Failing to comply with a notice ...................................................... 142

Part 3‑4--Monitoring orders                                                                                         144

219........ Making monitoring orders .............................................................. 144

220........ Contents of monitoring orders ........................................................ 144

221........ Protection from suits etc. for those complying with orders ........... 145

222........ Making false statements in applications ........................................ 146

223........ Disclosing existence or operation of monitoring order ................... 146

224........ Failing to comply with monitoring order ........................................ 147

Part 3‑5--Search and seizure                                                                                        149

Division 1--Search warrants                                                                                  149

Subdivision A--Issuing search warrants                                                            149

225........ Issuing a search warrant .................................................................. 149

226........ Additional contents of the information .......................................... 149

227........ Contents of warrants ...................................................................... 149

228........ The things that are authorised by a search warrant ........................ 151

Subdivision B--Applying for search warrants by telephone or other electronic means    152

229........ Applying for search warrants by telephone or other electronic means 152

230........ Issuing warrants by telephone etc. ................................................. 152

231........ Unsigned telephone warrants in court proceedings ........................ 153

232........ Offence for stating incorrect names in telephone warrants ............ 153

233........ Offence for unauthorised form of warrant ...................................... 154

234........ Offence for execution etc. of unauthorised form of warrant ........... 154

235........ Offence for giving unexecuted form of warrant .............................. 154

Subdivision C--Executing search warrants                                                        155

236........ Warrants that must be executed only during particular hours ........ 155

237........ Restrictions on personal searches ................................................... 155

238........ Availability of assistance and use of force in executing a warrant .. 155

239........ Announcement before entry ........................................................... 156

240........ Details of warrant to be given to occupier etc. ............................... 156

241........ Occupier entitled to be present during search ................................ 157

242........ Specific powers available to officers executing the warrant ........... 157

243........ Use of equipment to examine or process things ............................. 158

244........ Moving things to another place for examination or processing ...... 158

245........ Use of electronic equipment at premises ........................................ 159

246........ Person with knowledge of a computer or a computer system to assist access etc. 160

247........ Securing electronic equipment ........................................................ 161

248........ Compensation for damage to electronic equipment ........................ 162

249........ Copies of seized things to be provided .......................................... 162

250........ Providing documents after execution of a search warrant ............... 163

Division 2--Stopping and searching conveyances                                     164

251........ Searches without warrant in emergency situations ......................... 164

252........ How an authorised officer exercises a power under section 251 .... 164

Division 3--Dealing with things seized                                                            166

Subdivision A--General requirements                                                                166

253........ Receipts for things seized under warrant ....................................... 166

254........ Responsibility for things seized ..................................................... 166

255........ Effect of obtaining forfeiture orders ............................................... 166

Subdivision B--Things seized as evidence                                                          167

256........ Returning seized things ................................................................... 167

257........ Authorised officer may apply for a thing to be retained for a further period           168

258........ Magistrate may order that the thing be retained ............................. 168

Subdivision C--Things seized on other grounds                                               168

259........ Return of seized property to third parties ..................................... 168

260........ Return of seized property if applications are not made for restraining orders or forfeiture orders         169

261........ Effect of obtaining restraining orders .............................................. 170

262........ Effect of refusing applications for restraining orders or forfeiture orders                171

Division 4--General                                                                                                   172

263........ Application of Part ......................................................................... 172

264........ Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected ................. 172

265........ Jurisdiction of magistrates .............................................................. 172

266........ Offence for making false statements in applications ...................... 172

Chapter 4--Administration                                                                                             174

Part 4‑1--Powers and duties of the Official Trustee                                       174

Division 1--Preliminary                                                                                           174

267........ Property to which the Official Trustee's powers and duties under this Part apply                174

267A..... Additional property to which the Official Trustee's powers and duties under Division 3 apply           174

Division 2--Obtaining information about controlled property            175

268........ Access to books .............................................................................. 175

269........ Suspect to assist Official Trustee ................................................... 176

270........ Power to obtain information and evidence ..................................... 177

271........ Privilege against self‑incrimination ................................................. 177

272........ Offences relating to exercise of powers under section 268 or 269 . 178

273........ Failure to provide information ........................................................ 178

274........ Failure of person to attend ............................................................. 178

275........ Refusal to be sworn or give evidence etc. ....................................... 179

Division 3--Dealings relating to controlled property                              180

276........ Preserving controlled property ....................................................... 180

277........ Rights attaching to shares ............................................................... 180

278........ Destroying or disposing of property ............................................. 180

279........ Notice of proposed destruction or disposal ................................... 181

280........ Procedure if person objects to proposed destruction or disposal .. 181

281........ Proceeds from sale of property ...................................................... 183

Division 4--Discharging pecuniary penalty orders and literary proceeds orders             184

282........ Direction by a court to the Official Trustee ................................... 184

283........ Court may include further directions etc. ....................................... 185

284........ Official Trustee to carry out directions .......................................... 185

285........ Official Trustee not to carry out directions during appeal periods 186

286........ Discharge of pecuniary penalty orders and literary proceeds orders by credits to the Confiscated Assets Account ........................................................................................................ 187

Division 5--Miscellaneous                                                                                     189

287........ Money not to be paid into the Common Investment Fund ........... 189

288........ Official Trustee's costs etc. ............................................................ 189

289........ Income generated from controlled property ................................... 189

290........ Official Trustee is not personally liable ......................................... 190

291........ Indemnification of Official Trustee ................................................ 191

Part 4‑2--Legal assistance                                                                                             192

292........ Payments to legal aid commissions for representing suspects and other persons    192

293........ Payments made out of the Confiscated Assets Account ............... 192

294........ Disclosure of information to legal aid commissions ....................... 193

Part 4‑3--Confiscated Assets Account                                                                    194

295........ Establishment of Account .............................................................. 194

296........ Credits to the Account ................................................................... 194

297........ Payments out of the Account ......................................................... 196

298........ Programs for expenditure on law enforcement, drug treatment etc. 197

299........ Determinations by Inspector‑General in Bankruptcy about suspended and distributable funds            198

Part 4‑4--Charges over restrained property for payment of certain amounts         200

Division 1 --Charges to secure certain amounts payable to legal aid commissions         200

300........ Legal aid commissions' charges ...................................................... 200

301........ When the charge ceases to have effect ............................................ 200

302........ Priority of charge ............................................................................ 200

Division 2 --Charges to secure certain amounts payable to the Commonwealth              201

302A..... Charges to secure amounts payable under subsection 293(3) ........ 201

302B..... When the charge ceases to have effect ............................................ 201

302C..... Priority of charge ............................................................................ 201

Part 4‑5--Enforcement of interstate orders in certain Territories          203

Division 1--Interstate restraining orders                                                      203

303........ Registration of interstate restraining orders .................................... 203

304........ Effect of registration ....................................................................... 203

305........ Duration of registration .................................................................. 204

306........ Cancellation of registration ............................................................. 204

307........ Charge on property subject to registered interstate restraining order 204

308........ Powers of Official Trustee in relation to interstate restraining orders 206

Division 2--Interstate forfeiture orders                                                         207

309........ Registration of interstate forfeiture orders ..................................... 207

310........ Effect of registration ....................................................................... 207

311........ Duration of registration .................................................................. 208

312........ Cancellation of registration ............................................................. 208

Division 3--Miscellaneous                                                                                     209

313........ Interim registration of faxed copies ................................................ 209

Chapter 5--Miscellaneous                                                                                             210

314........ State and Territory courts to have jurisdiction ............................... 210

315........ Proceedings are civil, not criminal ................................................... 210

316........ Consent orders ................................................................................ 210

317........ Onus and standard of proof ............................................................ 211

318........ Proof of certain matters .................................................................. 211

319........ Stay of proceedings ........................................................................ 211

320........ Effect of the confiscation scheme on sentencing ............................ 212

321........ Deferral of sentencing pending determination of confiscation order 212

322........ Appeals .......................................................................................... 212

323........ Costs ............................................................................................... 214

324........ Powers conferred on judicial officers in their personal capacity .... 214

325........ Effect of a person's death ...........................................................