Commonwealth Consolidated ActsAct No. 85 of 2002 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 26 July 2007
taking into account amendments up to Act No. 116 of 2007
The text of any of those amendments not in force
on that date is appended in the Notes section
The operation of amendments that have been incorporated may
be
affected by application provisions that are set out in the Notes section
Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and
Publishing,
Attorney‑General's Department, Canberra
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 ...........................................................