Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (PREVENTION OF PROLIFERATION) ACT 1995 - SECT 20

(1)

A prosecution for an offence against this Act requires the consent of the Attorney-General.

(2)

Despite subsection (1):

(a)

anyone may be arrested for an offence against this Act, and a warrant for such an arrest may be issued and executed; and

(b)

anyone may be charged with such an offence; and

(c)

anyone so charged may be remanded in custody or on bail;

but no further step in the proceedings referred to in subsection (1) is to be taken until the Attorney-General's consent has been given.

(3)

Subsection (2) does not prevent the discharge of the accused if proceedings are not continued within a reasonable time.