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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
SURVEILLANCE DEVICES BILL 2007
Serial 100
Surveillance Devices
Bill 2007
Mr
Stirling
AN ACT
about
the use of surveillance devices
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF
AUSTRALIA
SURVEILLANCE DEVICES ACT
2007
____________________
Act No. [ ] of 2007
____________________
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF
AUSTRALIA
____________________
Act No. [ ] of 2007
____________________
AN ACT
[Assented to [ ]
2007]
[Second reading [ ]
2007]
The Legislative Assembly of the Northern Territory enacts
as follows:
Division
1 – Preliminary matters
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Surveillance Devices Act
2007.
Commencement
This Act commences on the date fixed by the Administrator
by Gazette notice.
Purpose
The purposes of this Act are:
(a) to regulate the installation, use, maintenance and
retrieval of surveillance devices; and
(b) to restrict the use, communication and publication of
information obtained through the use of surveillance devices or otherwise
connected with surveillance device operations; and
(c) to establish procedures for law enforcement officers to
obtain warrants or emergency authorisations for the installation, use,
maintenance and retrieval of surveillance devices in criminal investigations
extending beyond this jurisdiction; and
(d) to recognise warrants and emergency authorisations
issued in other jurisdictions; and
(e) to impose requirements for the secure storage and
destruction of records, and the making of reports to Judges, magistrates and
Parliament, in relation to surveillance device operations.
Division
2 – Interpretation
Definitions
In this Act:
"applicant", for a warrant, means the law enforcement
officer who applies, or on whose behalf an application is made, for the
warrant;
"Australian Crime Commission" means the Australian Crime
Commission established by the Australian Crime Commission Act 2002
(Cth);
"authorised person" means a person holding an appointment
under section ;
"business day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
public holiday;
"chief officer" means:
(a) for the Territory Police Force – the Commissioner
of Police; or
(b) for the Australian Crime Commission – the Chief
Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission;
"Commonwealth Ombudsman" means the person occupying or
holding office as the Commonwealth Ombudsman under the Ombudsman
Act 1976 (Cth);
"computer" means any electronic device for storing or
processing information;
"connection device" means a device that is not a
surveillance device or part of a surveillance device but is ancillary to the
installation, use, maintenance or retrieval of a surveillance
device;
"corresponding emergency authorisation" means an
authorisation in the nature of an emergency authorisation given under a
corresponding law for a relevant offence under the law;
"corresponding law" means a law of another
jurisdiction that:
(a) provides for the authorisation of the use of
surveillance devices; and
(b) is declared by regulation to be a corresponding
law;
"corresponding protected information", see section
(3);
"corresponding warrant" means a warrant in the nature of a
surveillance device warrant or retrieval warrant issued under a corresponding
law for a relevant offence under the law;
"data surveillance device" means a device capable of being
used to monitor or record the information being put on to or retrieved from a
computer, but does not include an optical surveillance device;
"device" includes apparatus, equipment, instrument and
machine;
"emergency authorisation" means an emergency authorisation
given under section ;
"emergency authorisation (serious drugs offence)" means an
emergency authorisation given on an application made under section
(2);
"emergency authorisation (serious violence)" means an
emergency authorisation given on an application made under section
(1);
"enhancement equipment", in relation to a surveillance
device, means equipment capable of enhancing a signal, image or other
information obtained by the use of the device;
"install" includes attach;
"jurisdiction" means a State or another Territory of the
Commonwealth;
"law enforcement agency" means the following
agencies:
(a) the Territory Police Force;
(b) the Australian Crime Commission;
"law enforcement officer" means:
(a) for the Territory Police Force:
(i) a police officer; or
(ii) a person who is seconded to the Police Force,
including, for example, a member of the police force or police service or a
police officer (however described) of another jurisdiction; or
(b) for the Australian Crime Commission:
(i) a member of staff of the Australian Crime Commission;
or
(ii) a person who is seconded to the Commission, including,
for example, a member of the police force or police service or a police officer
(however described) of another jurisdiction;
"listening device" means a device capable of being used to
listen to, monitor or record a conversation or words spoken to or by a person in
a conversation, but does not include a hearing aid or similar device used by a
person with impaired hearing to overcome the impairment and permit the person to
hear only sounds ordinarily audible to the human ear;
"listen to" includes hear;
"local protected information", see section
(2);
"maintain", in relation to a surveillance device,
includes:
(a) adjust, relocate, repair or service the device;
and
(b) if the device is faulty, replace it;
"offence" means an offence against the law of the Territory,
the Commonwealth or another jurisdiction;
"on", a place or thing, includes at and in the place or
thing;
"optical surveillance device" means a device capable of
being used to monitor, record visually or observe an activity, but does not
include spectacles, contact lenses or a similar device used by a person with
impaired sight to overcome the impairment and permit the person to see only
sights ordinarily visible to the human eye;
"participating
jurisdiction" means a jurisdiction in which a corresponding law is in
force;
"party" means:
(a) for a private conversation – a person by or to
whom words are spoken in the course of the conversation; or
(b) for a private activity – a person who takes part
in the activity;
"place" includes vacant land, premises and a
vehicle;
"possess", for a surveillance device, includes having the
source under control in any place, whether or not another person has the custody
of the device.
"premises" includes the following, regardless of whether in
or outside this jurisdiction:
(a) a building or structure;
(b) a part of a building or structure;
(c) land on which a building or structure is
situated;
"private activity" means an activity carried on in
circumstances that may reasonably be taken to indicate the parties to the
activity desire it to be observed only by themselves, but does not include an
activity carried on in circumstances in which the parties to the activity ought
reasonably to expect the activity may be observed by someone
else;
"private conversation" means a conversation carried on in
circumstances that may reasonably be taken to indicate the parties to the
conversation desire it to be listened to only by themselves, but does not
include a conversation carried on in circumstances in which the parties to the
conversation ought reasonably to expect the conversation may be overheard by
someone else;
"protected information", see section (1);
"public officer" means a person employed by, or holding an
office established by or under a law of, this jurisdiction or a person employed
by a public authority of this jurisdiction, and includes a law enforcement
officer;
"reasonably believes" means believes on grounds that are
reasonable in the circumstances;
"record" includes:
(a) an audio, visual or audio visual record;
and
(b) a record in digital form; and
(c) a documentary record prepared from a record mentioned in
paragraph (a) or (b);
"relevant offence" means:
(a) an offence against a law of this jurisdiction punishable
by imprisonment for a term of 3 years or more or for life; or
(b) an offence against a law of this jurisdiction prescribed
by regulation;
"relevant proceeding" means:
(a) the prosecution of an offence; or
(b) a bail application or review of a decision to grant or
refuse a bail application; or
(c) a proceeding for the committal of a person to stand
trial for an offence; or
(d) a proceeding for the confiscation, forfeiture or
restraint of property or for the imposition of a pecuniary penalty in relation
to an offence, or a proceeding related or ancillary to such a proceeding;
or
(e) a proceeding for the protection of a child or
intellectually impaired person; or
(f) a proceeding concerning the validity of a warrant,
emergency authorisation, corresponding warrant or corresponding emergency
authorisation; or
(g) a disciplinary proceeding against a public officer;
or
(h) a coronial inquest or inquiry if, in the opinion of the
coroner, the event the subject of the inquest or inquiry may have resulted from
the commission of an offence; or
(i) a proceeding under section 13 of the Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cth) in relation to a criminal
matter concerning an offence against the laws of the foreign country making the
request resulting in the proceeding; or
(j) a proceeding for the taking of evidence under section 43
of the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth); or
(k) a proceeding for the extradition of a person from
another jurisdiction to this jurisdiction; or
(l) a proceeding under Part 4, Division 1, of the
International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 (Cth);
(m) a proceeding of the International Criminal
Court;
"remote application" for a warrant, means an application
mentioned in section or ;
"report", of a conversation or activity, includes a report
of the substance, meaning or purport of the conversation or
activity;
"retrieval warrant" means a warrant issued under Part 4,
Division 3;
"senior officer" means:
(a) for the Territory Police Force:
(i) the Commissioner of Police; or
(ii) a Deputy Commissioner of Police; or
(iii) an Assistant Commissioner of Police;
or
(b) for the Australian Crime Commission – the Chief
Executive Officer or an examiner as defined in the Australian Crime
Commission Act 2002 (Cth);
"serious drug offence" means an offence involving the
possession, use, manufacture, production or supply of a dangerous drug as
defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act;
"surveillance device" means:
(a) a data surveillance device, listening device, optical
surveillance device or tracking device; or
(b) a device that is a combination of any 2 or more of
the devices mentioned in paragraph (a); or
(c) a device of a kind prescribed by
regulation;
"surveillance device warrant" means a warrant issued under
Part 4, Division 2;
"this jurisdiction" means the Territory;
"tracking device" means an electronic device that may be
used to determine the geographical location of a person or
thing;
"unsworn application" for a warrant, means an application
mentioned in section (4) or (4);
"use", of a surveillance device, includes use of the device
to record a conversation or other activity;
"vehicle" means anything used for carrying any person or
anything by land, water or air;
"warrant" means surveillance device warrant or retrieval
warrant.
Law enforcement officer primarily responsible for
warrant
In this Act, a reference to the law enforcement officer
primarily responsible for executing a warrant is a reference to the officer
named in the warrant as such, whether or not the officer is physically present
for any step in the execution of the warrant.
Cross-border investigations taken to be carried out in this
jurisdiction
For this Act, an investigation into an offence is taken to
be conducted in this jurisdiction (whether or not it is also conducted in
another jurisdiction) if a law enforcement officer participates in the
investigation.
Declared offences for Criminal Code
An offence against this Act is an offence to which Part
IIAA of the Criminal Code applies.
Note
Part IIAA of the Criminal Code states the general principles of criminal
responsibility (including burdens of proof and general defences) and defines
terms used for offences.
Division
3 – Application of Act
Act binds Crown
This Act binds the Crown in right of the Territory and, to
the extent the legislative power of the Legislative Assembly permits, the Crown
in all its other capacities.
Act does not apply to certain Commonwealth
agents
This Act does not apply to anything done in the course of
duty by:
(a) a member or member of staff of the Australian
Competition and Consumer Commission; or
(b) the Director General or an officer or employee of the
Australian Security Intelligence Organisation; or
(c) a member of the Australian Federal Police, other than in
the member's capacity as a member of staff of the Australian Crime Commission;
or
(d) an officer of customs as defined in the Customs
Act 1901 (Cth); or
(e) the Minister administering the Migration Act 1958
(Cth) or the Secretary or an officer or employee of the Department as defined in
that Act.
Act does not limit court discretion
(1) This Act is not intended to limit a discretion that a
court has:
(a) to admit or exclude evidence in any proceeding;
or
(b) to stay a criminal proceeding in the interests of
justice.
(2) To avoid doubt, it is intended that a warrant may be
issued, or an emergency authorisation given, in this jurisdiction under this Act
for the installation, use, maintenance or retrieval of a surveillance device in
this jurisdiction or a participating jurisdiction or both.
(3) Subsection (2) is subject to sections (8) and
(2).
PART
2 – REGULATION OF INSTALLATION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF SURVEILLANCE
DEVICES
Installation, use and maintenance of listening
devices
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the
person:
(a) installs, uses or maintains a listening device to listen
to, monitor or record a private conversation to which the person is not a party;
and
(b) knows the device is installed, used or maintained
without the express or implied consent of each party to the
conversation.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to:
(a) the installation, use or maintenance of a listening
device under:
(i) a warrant, emergency authorisation, corresponding
warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation; or
(ii) under a law of the Commonwealth; or
(b) the use of a listening device by a law enforcement
officer to monitor or record a private conversation to which the officer is not
a party if:
(i) at least 1 party to the conversation expressly or
impliedly consents to the monitoring or recording; and
(ii) the officer is acting in the performance of the
officer's duty; and
(iii) the officer reasonably believes it is necessary to
monitor or record the conversation for the protection of someone's safety;
or
(c) the use of a listening device under section
.
Installation, use and maintenance of optical surveillance
devices
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the
person:
(a) installs, uses or maintains an optical surveillance
device to monitor, record visually or observe a private activity to which the
person is not a party; and
(b) knows the device is installed, used or maintained
without the express or implied consent of each party to the
activity.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the installation, use
or maintenance of an optical surveillance device:
(a) under a warrant, emergency authorisation, corresponding
warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation; or
(b) under a law of the Commonwealth; or
(c) by a law enforcement officer in the performance of the
officer's duty on a place if:
(i) an occupier of the place authorises the installation,
use or maintenance; and
(ii) the installation, use or maintenance is reasonably
necessary for the protection of someone's lawful interests; or
(d) the use of an optical surveillance device by a law
enforcement officer in the performance of the officer's duty if it does not
involve the following without permission:
(i) entry on a place;
(ii) interference with a vehicle or other thing;
or
(e) the use of an optical surveillance device under section
.
Installation, use and maintenance of tracking
devices
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the
person:
(a) installs, uses or maintains a tracking device to
determine the geographical location of a person or thing; and
(b) knows the device is installed, used or maintained
without the express or implied consent of:
(i) for a device to determine the location of a person
– the person; or
(ii) for a device to determine the location of a thing
– a person in lawful possession or having lawful control of the
thing.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the installation, use
or maintenance of a tracking device:
(a) under a warrant, emergency authorisation, corresponding
warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation; or
(b) under a law of the Commonwealth; or
(c) if the device is installed by a law enforcement officer
in the performance of the officer's duty on a thing when the thing is in a
public place; or
(d) if the device is installed, used or maintained in
prescribed circumstances.
Installation, use and maintenance of data surveillance
devices by law enforcement officers
(1) A law enforcement officer is guilty of an offence if
the officer:
(a) installs, uses or maintains a data surveillance device
to monitor or record the input of information into, or the output of information
from, a computer; and
(b) knows the device is installed, used or maintained
without the express or implied consent of the person on whose behalf the
information is being input or output.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the installation, use
or maintenance of a data surveillance device:
(a) under a warrant, emergency authorisation, corresponding
warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation; or
(b) under a law of the Commonwealth.
PART
3 – RESTRICTION ON COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICATION OF PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS
AND ACTIVITIES
Communication and publication of private conversations and
activities
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the
person:
(a) communicates or publishes a record or report of a
private conversation or private activity; and
(b) knows the record or report has been made as a direct or
indirect result of the use of a listening device, optical surveillance device or
tracking device.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply:
(a) to a communication or publication made with the express
or implied consent of each party to the private conversation or private
activity; or
(b) to a communication or publication that is reasonably
necessary:
(i) in the public interest; or
(ii) for protecting the lawful interests of the person
making it; or
(c) to a communication or publication in the course of a
legal or disciplinary proceeding; or
(d) to a communication or publication of protected
information; or
(e) to a communication or publication made by a law
enforcement officer:
(i) to a person authorised by the chief officer of the law
enforcement agency for investigating or prosecuting an offence;
or
(ii) to the occupier of a place of a record or report of a
private activity made as a direct or indirect result of the use on the place of
an optical surveillance device in the circumstances mentioned in section (2)(c);
or
(iii) otherwise in the performance of the officer's duty;
or
(f) to a communication or publication authorised by a law of
the Commonwealth relating to the security of the Commonwealth.
Communication and publication of information from use of data
surveillance device
(1) A law enforcement officer is guilty of an offence
if:
(a) the officer communicates or publishes any information
(the "relevant information") about the input of information into, or the output
of information from, a computer; and
(b) the relevant information has been obtained as a direct
or indirect result of the use of a data surveillance device.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 1
year.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply:
(a) to a communication or publication made with the express
or implied consent of the person for whom the information is input into or
output from the computer; or
(b) to a communication or publication made in the course of
a legal or disciplinary proceeding; or
(c) to a communication or publication of protected
information; or
(d) to a communication or publication made by a law
enforcement officer:
(i) to a person authorised by the chief officer of the law
enforcement agency for investigating or prosecuting an offence;
or
(ii) otherwise in the performance of the officer's duty;
or
(e) to a communication or publication authorised by a law of
the Commonwealth relating to the security of the Commonwealth.
PART
4 – WARRANTS FOR USE OF SURVEILLANCE DEVICES
Division
1 – Introduction
Types of warrant
(1) The following types of warrant may be issued under this
Part:
(a) a surveillance device warrant;
(b) a retrieval warrant.
(2) A warrant may be issued for more than 1 surveillance
device of the same or different kinds.
Who may issue warrant
(1) A Judge may issue any warrant under this
Part.
(2) A magistrate may issue:
(a) a surveillance device warrant that authorises the use of
a tracking device only; or
(b) a retrieval warrant for a tracking device authorised
under a warrant mentioned in paragraph (a) if a magistrate issued the original
warrant.
Division
2 – Surveillance device warrants
Application for surveillance device warrant
(1) A law enforcement officer (or another person on the
officer's behalf) may apply for the issue of a surveillance device warrant if
the law enforcement officer reasonably believes:
(a) an offence has been, is being, is about to be or is
likely to be committed; and
(b) the use of a surveillance device is or will be necessary
for the purpose of an investigation into the offence or of enabling evidence or
information to be obtained of the commission of the offence or the identity or
location of the offender.
(2) The application may be made to:
(a) a Judge in any case; or
(b) a magistrate in the case of an application for a warrant
authorising the use of a tracking device only.
(3) The application must:
(a) state the name of the applicant; and
(b) state the nature and duration of the warrant sought,
including the kind of surveillance device sought to be authorised;
and
(c) be supported by an affidavit stating the grounds on
which the warrant is sought.
(4) However, the application may be made before an
affidavit is prepared or sworn if the applicant reasonably
believes:
(a) the immediate use of a surveillance device is necessary
for a purpose mentioned in subsection (1)(b); and
(b) it is impracticable for an affidavit to be prepared or
sworn before an application is made.
(5) If subsection (4) applies, the applicant
must:
(a) give as much information as the Judge or magistrate
considers is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; and
(b) not later than the day following the making of the
application, send a duly sworn affidavit to the Judge or magistrate, regardless
of whether a warrant is issued.
(6) The Judge or magistrate may require the applicant or
another person to give, either orally or by affidavit, further information in
support of the application.
(7) An application for a warrant must not be heard in open
court.
Remote application
(1) If a law enforcement officer reasonably believes it is
impracticable for an application for a surveillance device warrant to be made in
person, the application may be made under section by phone, fax, email or
another form of communication.
(2) Subsection (3) applies if:
(a) an affidavit has been prepared (whether sworn or
unsworn); and
(b) when making the application, the applicant has access to
a fax or email facility.
(3) The applicant must fax or email a copy of the affidavit
with the application to the Judge or magistrate who is to decide the
application.
Deciding application
(1) A Judge or magistrate may issue a surveillance device
warrant if satisfied:
(a) there are reasonable grounds for the belief founding the
application for the warrant; and
(b) in the case of an unsworn application – it would
have been impracticable for an affidavit to have been prepared or sworn before
it was made; and
(c) in the case of a remote application – it would
have been impracticable for the application to have been made in
person.
(2) In deciding whether a surveillance device warrant
should be issued, the Judge or magistrate must have regard to:
(a) the nature and gravity of the alleged offence for which
the warrant is sought; and
(b) the extent to which anyone's privacy is likely to be
affected; and
(c) the existence of any alternative way of obtaining the
evidence or information sought to be obtained and the extent to which that way
may assist or prejudice the investigation; and
(d) the evidentiary or intelligence value of any information
sought to be obtained; and
(e) any previous warrant sought or issued under this
Division or a corresponding law (if known) in relation to the same
offence.
What surveillance device warrant must contain
(1) A surveillance device warrant must:
(a) state that the issuing Judge or magistrate is satisfied
of the matters mentioned in section (1) and has had regard to the matters
mentioned in section (2); and
(b) state:
(i) the name of the applicant; and
(ii) the alleged offence for which the warrant is issued;
and
(iii) the date the warrant is issued; and
(iv) the kind of surveillance device authorised to be used;
and
(v) if the warrant authorises the use of a surveillance
device on a place – the place; and
(vi) if the warrant authorises the use of a surveillance
device on a thing or class of thing – the thing or class of thing;
and
(vii) if the warrant authorises the use of a surveillance
device for the activities, conversations or geographical location of a person
– the name of the person or, if the identity of the person is unknown, the
fact that the person's identity is unknown; and
(viii) the period (not exceeding 90 days) during which the
warrant is in force; and
(ix) the name of the law enforcement officer primarily
responsible for executing the warrant; and
(x) any conditions subject to which a place may be entered,
or a surveillance device may be used, under the warrant; and
(xi) the time within which a report in relation to the
warrant must be made to the Judge or magistrate under
section .
(2) A warrant must be signed by the issuing Judge or
magistrate and include the name of the Judge or magistrate.
(3) If the Judge or magistrate issues the warrant on a
remote application, the Judge or magistrate must:
(a) tell the applicant of:
(i) the terms of the warrant; and
(ii) the date and time of its issue; and
(b) enter the details mentioned in paragraph (a) in a
register kept by the Judge or magistrate for the purpose; and
(c) give the applicant a copy of the warrant as soon as
practicable.
What surveillance device warrant authorises
(1) A surveillance device warrant may authorise, as stated
in it, any 1 or more of the following:
(a) the use of a surveillance device on a stated
place;
(b) the use of a surveillance device on a stated thing or
class of thing;
(c) the use of a surveillance device for the activities,
conversations or geographical location of a stated person or a person whose
identity is unknown.
(2) A surveillance device warrant
authorises:
(a) for a warrant of a kind mentioned in subsection
(1)(a):
(i) the installation, use and maintenance of a surveillance
device of the kind stated in the warrant on the stated place;
and
(ii) the entry, by force if necessary, onto the place, or
other stated place adjoining or providing access to the place, for any of the
purposes mentioned in subparagraph (i) or subsection (3);
or
(b) for a warrant of a kind mentioned in subsection
(1)(b):
(i) the installation, use and maintenance of a surveillance
device of the kind stated in the warrant on the stated thing or a thing of the
stated class; and
(ii) the entry, by force if necessary, onto any place where
the thing, or a thing of the class, is reasonably believed to be or is likely to
be, or other place adjoining or providing access to that place, for any of the
purposes mentioned in subparagraph (i) or subsection (3);
or
(c) for a warrant of a kind mentioned in subsection
(1)(c):
(i) the installation, use and maintenance of a surveillance
device of the kind stated in the warrant on a place where the person is
reasonably believed to be or likely to be; and
(ii) the entry, by force if necessary, onto the place, or
other place adjoining or providing access to that place, for any of the purposes
mentioned in subparagraph (i) or subsection (3).
(3) A surveillance device warrant also
authorises:
(a) the retrieval of the surveillance device;
and
(b) the installation, use, maintenance and retrieval of any
enhancement equipment in relation to the device; and
(c) the temporary removal of a thing from a place for the
purpose of the installation, maintenance or retrieval of the device or equipment
and the return of the thing to the place; and
(d) the breaking open of anything for the installation,
maintenance or retrieval of the device or equipment; and
(e) the connection of the device or equipment to an
electricity supply system and the use of electricity from that system to operate
the device or equipment; and
(f) the connection of the device or equipment to a phone or
other system that may be used to transmit information in any form and the use of
the system in relation to the operation of the device or equipment;
and
(g) the provision of assistance or technical expertise to
the law enforcement officer primarily responsible for executing the warrant in
the installation, use, maintenance or retrieval of the device or
equipment.
(4) A surveillance device warrant may authorise the doing
of anything reasonably necessary to conceal the fact that anything has been done
in relation to the installation, use, maintenance or retrieval of a surveillance
device or enhancement equipment under the warrant.
(5) The authority conferred under a warrant may be
exercised by a law enforcement officer acting in the performance of the
officer's duty.
(6) In addition, the authority conferred under a warrant
for the use of a surveillance device may be exercised by an authorised person
acting in the performance of the authorised person's duty.
(7) This section applies to a warrant subject to any
conditions stated in the warrant.
(8) A surveillance device warrant may authorise the
installation or use of a surveillance device outside this jurisdiction only if
the offence for which it is sought is a relevant offence.
(9) This section does not authorise the doing of anything
for which a warrant would be required under the Telecommunications
(Interception) Act 1979 (Cth).
Extension and variation of warrant
(1) A law enforcement officer to whom a surveillance device
warrant has been issued (or another person on the officer's behalf) may, at any
time before the expiry of the warrant, apply:
(a) for an extension of the warrant for a period not
exceeding 90 days from the day on which it would otherwise expire;
or
(b) for a variation of any of the other terms of the
warrant.
(2) The application must be made to:
(a) a Judge if the warrant was issued by a Judge;
or
(b) a magistrate if the warrant was issued by a
magistrate.
(3) Sections and apply (with the necessary changes) to
the application as if it were an application for the warrant.
(4) The Judge or magistrate may grant the application,
subject to the conditions the Judge or magistrate considers appropriate, if
satisfied the matters mentioned in section (1) still exist having regard to
the matters mentioned in section (2).
(5) If the Judge or magistrate grants the application, the
Judge or magistrate must endorse the new expiry date or the other varied term on
the original warrant.
(6) An application may be made under this section more than
once.
Revocation of warrant
(1) A surveillance device warrant may be revoked at any
time before the expiration of the period of validity stated in it
by:
(a) a Judge if a Judge issued the warrant;
or
(b) a magistrate if a magistrate issued the
warrant.
(2) A Judge or magistrate may revoke a surveillance device
warrant:
(a) after receiving a report under section in relation to
the warrant; or
(b) on application by or on behalf of a law enforcement
officer.
(3) An application for the revocation of a warrant must not
be heard in open court.
(4) A Judge or magistrate who revokes a warrant must give
notice of the revocation to the chief officer of the relevant law enforcement
agency.
(5) If the Judge or magistrate revokes the warrant on the
application of a law enforcement officer, the Judge or magistrate is taken to
have given notice of the revocation to the chief officer under subsection (4)
when the Judge or magistrate revokes the warrant.
Discontinuing use of surveillance device under
warrant
(1) This section applies if a surveillance device warrant
is issued to a law enforcement officer of a law enforcement
agency.
(2) If the chief officer of the law enforcement agency is
satisfied the use of a surveillance device under the warrant is no longer
necessary for the purpose of enabling evidence to be obtained of the commission
of the offence or the identity or location of the offender, the chief officer
must:
(a) take the steps necessary to ensure use of the
surveillance device authorised by the warrant is discontinued as soon as
practicable; and
(b) ensure an application is made for the revocation of the
warrant.
(3) If the chief officer is given notice the warrant has
been revoked by a Judge or magistrate, the chief officer must take the steps
necessary to ensure use of the surveillance device authorised by the warrant is
discontinued immediately.
(4) If the law enforcement officer to whom the warrant is
issued, or who is primarily responsible for executing the warrant, reasonably
believes use of a surveillance device under the warrant is no longer necessary
for the purpose of enabling evidence to be obtained of the commission of the
offence or the identity or location of the offender, the officer must tell the
chief officer of the law enforcement agency as soon as
practicable.
Division
3 – Retrieval Warrants
Application for retrieval warrant
(1) A law enforcement officer (or another person on the
officer's behalf) may apply for the issue of a retrieval warrant for a
surveillance device if:
(a) the device was lawfully installed on a place or thing;
and
(b) the law enforcement officer reasonably believes the
device is still on the place or thing or on another place or
thing.
(2) The application may be made to:
(a) a Judge in any case; or
(b) a magistrate in the case of an application for a
retrieval warrant authorising the retrieval of a tracking device
only.
(3) The application must be supported by an affidavit
stating the grounds on which the warrant is sought.
(4) However, the application may be made before an
affidavit is prepared or sworn if the applicant reasonably
believes:
(a) the immediate retrieval of a surveillance device is
necessary; and
(b) it is impracticable for an affidavit to be prepared or
sworn before an application for a warrant is made.
(5) If subsection (4) applies, the applicant
must:
(a) give as much information as the Judge or magistrate
considers is reasonably practicable in the circumstances; and
(b) not later than the day following the making of the
application, send a duly sworn affidavit to the Judge or magistrate who decided
the application, regardless of whether a warrant is issued.
(6) An application for a warrant must not be heard in open
court.
Remote application
(1) If a law enforcement officer reasonably believes it is
impracticable for an application for a retrieval warrant to be made in person,
the application may be made under section by phone, fax, email or another form
of communication.
(2) Subsection
(3) applies if:
(a) an affidavit has been prepared (whether sworn or
unsworn); and
(b) when making the application, the applicant has access to
a fax or email facility.
(3) The applicant must fax or email a copy of the affidavit
with the application to the Judge or magistrate who is to decide the
application.
Deciding application
(1) A Judge or magistrate may issue a retrieval warrant if
satisfied:
(a) there are reasonable grounds for the belief founding the
application for the warrant; and
(b) in the case of an unsworn application – it would
have been impracticable for an affidavit to have been prepared or sworn before
the application was made; and
(c) in the case of a remote application – it would
have been impracticable for the application to have been made in
person.
(2) In deciding whether a retrieval warrant should be
issued, the Judge or magistrate must have regard to:
(a) the extent to which anyone's privacy is likely to be
affected; and
(b) the public interest in retrieving the device sought to
be retrieved.
What retrieval warrant must contain
(1) A retrieval warrant must:
(a) state the Judge or magistrate is satisfied of the
matters mentioned in section (1) and has had regard to the matters
mentioned in section (2); and
(b) state:
(i) the name of the applicant; and
(ii) the date the warrant is issued; and
(iii) the kind of surveillance device authorised to be
retrieved; and
(iv) the place or thing from which the device is to be
retrieved; and
(v) the period (not exceeding 90 days) during which the
warrant is in force; and
(vi) the name of the law enforcement officer primarily
responsible for executing the warrant; and
(vii) any conditions subject to which a place may be entered
under the warrant; and
(viii) the time within which a report for the warrant must
be made to the Judge or magistrate under section .
(2) A warrant must be signed by the issuing Judge or
magistrate and include the name of the Judge or magistrate.
(3) If the Judge or magistrate issues the warrant on a
remote application, the Judge or magistrate must:
(a) tell the applicant of:
(i) the terms of the warrant; and
(ii) the date and time of its issue; and
(b) enter the details mentioned in paragraph (a) in a
register kept by the Judge or magistrate for the purpose; and
(c) give the applicant a copy of the warrant as soon as
practicable.
What retrieval warrant authorises
(1) A retrieval warrant (subject to any conditions stated
in it) authorises:
(a) the retrieval of the surveillance device stated in the
warrant and any enhancement equipment relating to the device;
and
(b) the entry, by force if necessary, onto the place where
the device is reasonably believed to be, or another place adjoining or providing
access to the place, to retrieve the device and equipment; and
(c) the breaking open of anything to retrieve the device and
equipment; and
(d) if the device or equipment is installed on a thing, the
temporary removal of the thing from any place where it is situated to retrieve
the device and equipment and return the thing to the place; and
(e) the provision of assistance or technical expertise to
the law enforcement officer primarily responsible for executing the warrant in
the retrieval of the device or equipment.
(2) If the retrieval warrant authorises the retrieval of a
tracking device, the warrant also authorises the use of the tracking device and
any enhancement equipment relating to the device solely to locate and retrieve
the device or equipment.
(3) A retrieval warrant may authorise the doing of anything
reasonably necessary to conceal the fact that anything has been done in relation
to the retrieval of a surveillance device or enhancement equipment under the
warrant.
Revocation of retrieval warrant
(1) A retrieval warrant may be revoked at any time before
the expiration of the period of validity stated in it by:
(a) a Judge if a Judge issued the warrant;
or
(b) a magistrate if a magistrate issued the
warrant.
(2) A Judge or magistrate may revoke a retrieval
warrant:
(a) after receiving a report under section in relation
to the warrant; or
(b) on application by or on behalf of a law enforcement
officer.
(3) An application for the revocation of a warrant must not
be heard in open court.
(4) A Judge or magistrate who revokes a warrant must give
notice of the revocation to the chief officer of the relevant law enforcement
agency.
(5) If the Judge or magistrate revokes the warrant on the
application of a law enforcement officer, the Judge or magistrate is taken to
have given notice of the revocation to the chief officer under subsection (4)
when the Judge or magistrate revokes the warrant.
(6) If the chief officer of a law enforcement agency is
satisfied the grounds for issue of a retrieval warrant to a law enforcement
officer of the agency no longer exist, the chief officer must ensure an
application is made to revoke the warrant.
(7) If the law enforcement officer to whom a retrieval
warrant has been issued, or who is primarily responsible for executing a
retrieval warrant, reasonably believes the grounds for issue of the warrant no
longer exist, the officer must tell the chief officer of the law enforcement
agency as soon as practicable.
PART
5 – EMERGENCY AUTHORISATIONS
When application may be made for emergency
authorisation
(1) A law enforcement officer of a law enforcement agency
may apply to a senior officer of the agency for an emergency authorisation for
the use of a surveillance device if the law enforcement officer reasonably
believes:
(a) an imminent threat of serious violence to a person or
substantial damage to property exists; and
(b) the use of a surveillance device is immediately
necessary for the purpose of dealing with that threat; and
(c) the circumstances are so serious and the matter is of
such urgency that the use of a surveillance device is warranted;
and
(d) it is not practicable in the circumstances to apply for
a surveillance device warrant.
(2) In addition, a law enforcement officer of a law
enforcement agency may apply to a senior officer of the agency for an emergency
authorisation for the use of a surveillance device if:
(a) a serious drug offence or an offence against a law of
another jurisdiction or the Commonwealth that corresponds to a serious drug
offence has been, is being, is about to be or is likely to be committed;
and
(b) the use of a surveillance device is immediately
necessary for:
(i) an investigation into the offence; or
(ii) enabling evidence or information to be obtained of the
commission of the offence or the identity or location of the offender;
and
(c) the circumstances are so serious and the matter is of
such urgency that the use of a surveillance device is warranted;
and
(d) it is not practicable in the circumstances to apply for
a surveillance device warrant.
How application is made
An application for an emergency authorisation may be made
orally, in writing or by phone, fax, email or another form of
communication.
When authorisation may be given
A senior officer may give an emergency authorisation for
the use of a surveillance device on a properly made application if satisfied
there are reasonable grounds for the belief founding the
application.
Effect of authorisation
(1) An emergency authorisation may authorise the law
enforcement officer to whom it is given to do anything that a surveillance
device warrant may authorise law enforcement officers to do.
(2) However, an emergency authorisation (serious drugs
offence) cannot authorise the installation or use of a surveillance device
outside this jurisdiction.
Application for approval after use of surveillance device
under emergency authorisation
(1) Within 2 business days after giving an emergency
authorisation, a senior officer (or another person on the officer's behalf) must
apply to a Judge for approval of the exercise of powers under the emergency
authorisation.
(2) The application must:
(a) state:
(i) the name of the applicant; and
(ii) the kind of surveillance device sought to be approved
and, if a warrant is sought, the nature and duration of the warrant;
and
(b) be supported by an affidavit stating the grounds on
which the approval (and warrant, if any) is sought.
(3) The Judge may refuse to consider the application until
the applicant gives the Judge all the information the Judge requires about the
application in the way the Judge requires.
(4) The application must not be heard in open
court.
Consideration of application
(1) In deciding an application for approval for an
emergency authorisation (serious violence), the Judge must consider the
following matters:
(a) the nature of the risk of serious violence to a person
or substantial damage to property;
(b) the extent to which issuing a surveillance device
warrant would have helped reduce or avoid the risk;
(c) the extent to which law enforcement officers could have
used alternative methods of investigation to help reduce or avoid the
risk;
(d) how much the use of alternative methods of investigation
could have helped reduce or avoid the risk;
(e) how much the use of alternative methods of investigation
would have prejudiced the safety of the person or property because of delay or
for another reason;
(f) whether or not it was practicable in the circumstances
to apply for a surveillance device warrant.
(2) In deciding an application for approval for an
emergency authorisation (serious drugs offence), the Judge must consider the
following matters:
(a) the nature of the serious and urgent circumstances for
which the emergency authorisation was sought;
(b) the extent to which law enforcement officers could have
used alternative methods of investigation;
(c) whether or not it was practicable in the circumstances
to apply for a surveillance device warrant.
(3) In considering matters, the Judge must be mindful of
the intrusive nature of using a surveillance device.
(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not limit the matters the
Judge may consider in deciding the application.
Judge may approve emergency use of powers
(1) After considering an application for approval for an
emergency authorisation (serious violence), the Judge may approve the
application if satisfied there were reasonable grounds to
believe:
(a) there was a risk of serious violence to a person or
substantial damage to property; and
(b) using a surveillance device may have helped reduce the
risk; and
(c) it was not practicable in the circumstances to apply for
a surveillance device warrant.
(2) After considering an application for approval for an
emergency authorisation (serious drugs offence), the Judge may approve the
application if satisfied:
(a) the circumstances of the case were serious and urgent;
and
(b) using a surveillance device may have helped to obtain
evidence or information of the commission of the offence or the identity or
location of the offender; and
(c) it was not practicable in the circumstances to apply for
a surveillance device warrant.
(3) If the Judge approves the application, the Judge may
issue a surveillance device warrant for the continued use of the surveillance
device as if the application were an application for a surveillance device
warrant under Part 4, Division 2.
(4) If the Judge does not approve the application, the
Judge may:
(a) order the use of the surveillance device cease;
and
(b) authorise, subject to any conditions the Judge considers
appropriate, the retrieval of the device.
(5) In any case, the Judge may order any information
obtained from or relating to the exercise of powers under the emergency
authorisation or any record of the information be dealt with in the way stated
in the order.
Admissibility of evidence
If the Judge approves the exercise of powers under the
emergency authorisation, evidence obtained because of the exercise of the powers
is not inadmissible in any proceeding only because the evidence was obtained
before the approval.
PART
6 – EMERGENCY USE OF LISTENING AND OPTICAL SURVEILLANCE DEVICES IN PUBLIC
INTEREST
Division
1 – Preliminary matters
Definition
In this Division:
"public interest" includes the interests of national
security, public safety, the economic well-being of Australia, the protection of
public health and morals and the protection of the rights and freedoms of
citizens.
Unlawful acts
This Part does not apply if, in the course of installing or
using a listening device or optical surveillance device, an act is done that is
unlawful under any law other than this Act.
Division
2 – Emergency use of listening and optical surveillance devices in public
interest
Emergency use of listening device in public
interest
A person may use a listening device to listen to, monitor
or record a private conversation if at the time of use there are reasonable
grounds for believing the circumstances are so serious and the matter is of such
urgency that the use of the device is in the public interest.
Emergency use of optical surveillance device in public
interest
A person may use an optical surveillance device to record
visually or observe a private activity if at the time of use there are
reasonable grounds for believing the circumstances are so serious and the matter
is of such urgency that the use of the device is in the public
interest.
Report to Judge
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if the
person:
(a) uses a listening device or optical surveillance device
under section or ; and
(b) does not give a written report complying with subsection
(2) to a Judge within 2 business days after starting to use the
device.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 1
year.
(2) The report must state the following:
(a) particulars of the device used;
(b) particulars of the use of the device and the period
during which it was used;
(c) the name, if known, of any person whose private
conversation was listened to, monitored or recorded or whose private activity
was observed or visually recorded;
(d) the circumstances that caused the person to believe it
was necessary to listen to, monitor or record the private conversation or
observe or visually record the private activity;
(e) the general use made or to be made of any evidence or
information obtained by use of the device.
(3) The Judge may direct any record of evidence or
information obtained by the use of the device to which the report relates be
brought before the Judge.
(4) A record of the evidence or information brought before
the Judge must be kept in the custody of the Supreme Court.
(5) The Judge may order the record or information be
returned, made available to any person or destroyed.
Division
3 – Publication and communication of information
Order allowing publication or communication in public
interest
(1) On application made under section , a Judge may make an
order that a person may publish or communicate any of the following that has
come to the person's knowledge as a direct or indirect result of the use of a
surveillance device under Division 2:
(a) a private conversation;
(b) a report or record of a private
conversation;
(c) a record of a private activity.
(2) However, the Judge may make the order only if satisfied
the publication or communication should be made to protect or further the public
interest.
(3) The Judge may make the order subject to the conditions
the Judge considers necessary in the circumstances.
(4) On application made under section , a Judge may make an
order that a report or record of a private conversation or a record of a private
activity obtained as a direct or indirect result of the use of a surveillance
device under Division 2:
(a) be made available to any person or destroyed;
or
(b) be given to: or
(i) the Territory Police Force or police force of a State or
another Territory;
(ii) the Australian Federal Police; or
(iii) the Australian Crime Commission; or
(c) be kept in the custody of the Supreme Court if the Judge
is satisfied it is necessary to protect or further the public
interest.
Application for publication order
(1) An application for an order under section
must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) state the grounds on which it is made;
and
(c) include an affidavit of the applicant deposing to the
facts required by the Judge to enable the Judge to deal with the
application.
(2) Unless the applicant is a law enforcement officer, the
Judge may require the applicant to give notice of the application to the person
the Judge considers appropriate.
(3) The Judge may require further information to be given,
orally or by affidavit, in relation to the application.
Confidentiality
(1) An application under this Part must not be heard in
open court.
(2) The following material must not be made available by
the Supreme Court for search by any person except on the direction of a
Judge:
(a) an application under this Part and any material relating
to it, including any record of it or of the hearing of it;
(b) an order made on an application under this
Part;
(c) a written report given to a Judge under section
;
(d) any record of evidence or information brought before a
Judge under section (3).
PART
7 – RECOGNITION OF CORRESPONDING WARRANTS AND
AUTHORISATIONS
Corresponding warrants
A corresponding warrant may be executed in this
jurisdiction in accordance with its terms as if it were a surveillance device
warrant or retrieval warrant issued under Part 4, Division 2 or
3.
Corresponding emergency authorisations
(1) A corresponding emergency authorisation authorises the
use of a surveillance device in accordance with its terms in this jurisdiction
as if it were an emergency authorisation given under Part 5.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply at any time after a Judge
orders, under a provision of a corresponding law that corresponds to section
(4), the use of a surveillance device under the corresponding emergency
authorisation cease.
PART
8 – COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING
Division
1 – Restrictions on use, communication and publication of
information
Protected information
(1) Protected information is local protected information or
corresponding protected information.
(2) Local protected information is:
(a) any information obtained from the use of a surveillance
device under a warrant or emergency authorisation; or
(b) any information relating to:
(i) an application for, issue of, existence of or expiry of
a warrant or emergency authorisation; or
(ii) an application for approval of powers exercised under
an emergency authorisation.
(3) Corresponding protected information
is:
(a) any information obtained from the use of a surveillance
device under a corresponding warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation;
or
(b) any information relating to:
(i) an application for, issue of, existence of or expiry of
a corresponding warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation;
or
(ii) an application under a corresponding law for approval
of powers exercised under a corresponding emergency
authorisation.
Prohibition on use, communication or publication of protected
information
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses, communicates or publishes any
information; and
(b) the information is protected information;
and
(c) the use, communication or publication of the information
is not permitted by this Division.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person uses, communicates or publishes any
information; and
(b) the information is protected information;
and
(c) the use, communication or publication of the information
is not permitted by this Division; and
(d) the use, communication or publication of the
information:
(i) endangers the health or safety of any person;
or
(ii) prejudices the effective conduct of an investigation
into an offence.
Maximum penalty: 2 000 penalty units or imprisonment for 10
years.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply
to:
(a) the use, communication or publication
of:
(i) any information that has been disclosed in a proceeding
in open court; or
(ii) any information that has entered the public domain;
or
(b) the use or communication of protected information by a
person who reasonably believes the use or communication is necessary to help
prevent or reduce the risk of serious violence to a person or substantial damage
to property; or
(c) the communication to the Director-General (as defined in
the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 (Cth)) of
protected information that relates or appears to relate to activities
prejudicial to security as defined in that Act; or
(d) the use or communication of information mentioned in
paragraph (c) by an officer of the Australian Security Intelligence
Organisation in the performance of the officer's official functions;
or
(e) the use or communication of information to a foreign
country or appropriate authority of a foreign country under the Mutual
Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cth).
(4) Subsection (3)(c) and (d) do not authorise the use,
communication or publication of protected information in relation to an
emergency authorisation or corresponding emergency authorisation unless the use
of powers under the authorisation has been approved under section or a
corresponding provision of a corresponding law.
Permitted use of local protected information
(1) Local protected information may be used, communicated
or published if it is necessary to do so for any of the following
purposes:
(a) the investigation of an offence;
(b) the making of a decision whether or not to bring a
relevant proceeding for an offence;
(c) a relevant proceeding for an offence;
(d) an investigation of a complaint against, or the conduct
of, a public officer under this Act or a corresponding law;
(e) the making of a decision in relation to the appointment,
re-appointment, term of appointment, termination or
retirement of a person mentioned in paragraph (d);
(f) the keeping of records and the making of reports by a
law enforcement agency under Division 2;
(g) an inspection by the Commonwealth Ombudsman under a
provision of a corresponding law that corresponds to section
or ;
(h) an investigation of a complaint under the Information
Act or a law of a participating jurisdiction or the Commonwealth
about the privacy of personal information.
(2) Subsection (1)(a), (b) and (c) do not authorise the
use, communication or publication of protected information in relation to an
emergency authorisation unless the use of powers under the authorisation has
been approved under section .
(3) A reference in subsection (1) to an offence (whether of
this jurisdiction or another jurisdiction) is a reference to an offence, whether
or not the offence for which the relevant warrant or emergency authorisation was
issued or given.
Permitted use of corresponding protected
information
(1) Corresponding protected information may be used,
communicated or published if it is necessary to do so for any of the following
purposes:
(a) the investigation of a relevant offence within the
meaning of this Act or a corresponding law;
(b) the making of a decision whether or not to
bring:
(i) a relevant proceeding for a relevant offence;
or
(ii) a relevant proceeding under a corresponding law for a
relevant offence under that law;
(c) a relevant proceeding for a relevant offence or a
relevant proceeding under a corresponding law for a relevant offence under that
law;
(d) an investigation of a complaint against, or the conduct
of, a public officer under this Act or a corresponding law;
(e) the making of a decision in relation to the appointment,
re-appointment, term of appointment, termination or
retirement of a person mentioned in paragraph (d);
(f) the keeping of records and the making of reports by a
law enforcement agency under a corresponding law under a provision of the
corresponding law that corresponds to Division 2;
(g) an inspection under a provision of a corresponding law
that corresponds to section ;
(h) an investigation of a complaint under the Information
Act or a law of a participating jurisdiction or of the Commonwealth about
the privacy of personal information.
(2) Subsection (1)(a), (b) and (c) do not authorise the
use, communication or publication of protected information in relation to a
corresponding emergency authorisation unless the use of powers under that
authorisation has been approved under a provision of a corresponding law that
corresponds to section .
(3) A reference in subsection (1) to a relevant offence
(whether of this jurisdiction or another jurisdiction) is a reference to a
relevant offence, whether or not the offence for which the relevant
corresponding warrant or emergency authorisation was issued or
given.
Dealing with records obtained by use of surveillance
devices
(1) The chief officer of a law enforcement agency must
ensure:
(a) a record or report obtained by the use of a surveillance
device by a law enforcement officer of the agency under a warrant, emergency
authorisation, corresponding warrant or corresponding emergency authorisation is
kept in a secure place that is not accessible to people who are not entitled to
deal with the record or report; and
(b) a record or report mentioned in paragraph (a) is
destroyed, if satisfied it is not likely to be required in relation to a purpose
mentioned in section (3), (1) or (1).
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a record or report
received in evidence in a legal or disciplinary proceeding.
Protection of surveillance device technologies and
methods
(1) In any proceeding, a person may object to the
disclosure of information on the ground the information, if disclosed, could
reasonably be expected to reveal details of surveillance device technology or
methods of installation, use or retrieval of surveillance
devices.
(2) If the person conducting or presiding over the
proceeding (the "presiding officer") is satisfied the ground of objection is
made out, the presiding officer may order the person who has the information not
be required to disclose it in the proceeding.
(3) In deciding whether or not to make the order, the
presiding officer must take into account whether disclosure of the
information:
(a) is necessary for the fair trial of the defendant;
or
(b) is in the public interest.
(4) Subsection (2) does not affect a provision of another
law under which a law enforcement officer cannot be compelled to disclose
information or make statements in relation to the information.
(5) If the presiding officer is satisfied publication of
any information disclosed in the proceeding could reasonably be expected to
reveal details of surveillance device technology or methods of installation, use
or retrieval of surveillance devices, the presiding officer must make the orders
prohibiting or restricting publication of the information the presiding officer
considers necessary to ensure the details are not revealed.
(6) Subsection (5) does not apply to the extent the
presiding officer considers the interests of justice require
otherwise.
(7) In this section:
"proceeding" includes a proceeding before:
(a) a court or tribunal; and
(b) a board of inquiry under the Inquiries
Act.
Protected information in custody of court
A person is not entitled to search any protected
information in the custody of a court unless the court otherwise orders in the
interests of justice.
Division
2 – Reporting and record-keeping
Report to Judge or magistrate
(1) A law enforcement officer to whom a warrant is issued,
or who is primarily responsible for executing a warrant issued, under this Act
must, within the time stated in the warrant, make a report under this section to
the Judge or magistrate who issued the warrant.
(2) For a surveillance device warrant, the report
must:
(a) state whether the warrant was executed;
and
(b) if the warrant was executed:
(i) state the kind of surveillance device used;
and
(ii) state the period during which the device was used;
and
(iii) state the name, if known, of any person whose
conversations or activities were overheard, listened to, monitored, recorded or
observed by the use of the device; and
(iv) state the name, if known, of any person whose
geographical location was determined by the use of the device;
and
(v) give details of any place on which the device was
installed or used; and
(vi) give details of anything on which the device was
installed or any place where the thing was located when the device was
installed; and
(vii) give details of the benefit to the investigation of
the use of the device and of the general use made or to be made of any evidence
or information obtained by the use of the device; and
(viii) give details of the compliance with the conditions
(if any) to which the warrant was subject; and
(c) if the warrant was extended or varied,
state:
(i) the number of extensions or variations;
and
(ii) the reasons for the extensions or
variations.
(3) For a retrieval warrant, the report
must:
(a) give details of any place entered, anything opened and
anything removed and replaced under the warrant; and
(b) state whether the surveillance device was retrieved
under the warrant; and
(c) if the device was not retrieved, state the reason why;
and
(d) give details of the compliance with the conditions (if
any) to which the warrant was subject.
(4) On receiving the report, the Judge or magistrate may
order that any information obtained from or relating to the execution of the
warrant, or any record of the information, be dealt with in the way stated in
the order.
Annual reports
(1) The chief officer of a law enforcement agency must give
a report to the Minister that includes the following information for each
financial year:
(a) the number of applications for warrants by and the
number of warrants issued to law enforcement officers of the agency during the
year;
(b) the number of applications for emergency authorisations
by and the number of emergency authorisations given to law enforcement officers
of the agency during the year;
(c) the number of remote applications for warrants by law
enforcement officers of the agency during the year;
(d) the number of applications for warrants or emergency
authorisations by law enforcement officers of the agency that were refused
during the year, and the reasons for refusal;
(e) the number of applications for extensions of warrants by
law enforcement officers of the agency during the year, the number of extensions
granted or refused and the reasons why they were granted or
refused;
(f) the number of arrests made by law enforcement officers
of the agency during the year on the basis (wholly or partly) of information
obtained by the use of a surveillance device under a warrant or emergency
authorisation;
(g) the number of prosecutions that were started in this
jurisdiction during the year in which information obtained by the use of a
surveillance device under a warrant or emergency authorisation was given in
evidence and the number of the prosecutions in which a person was found
guilty;
(h) any other information relating to the use of
surveillance devices and the administration of this Act the Minister considers
appropriate.
(2) The information mentioned in subsection (1)(a) and (b)
must be presented in a way that shows the number of warrants issued and
emergency authorisations given for each different kind of surveillance
device.
(3) The report must be given to the Minister within
3 months after the end of the financial year.
(4) The Minister must, within 7 sitting days after
receiving the report, table a copy of it in the Legislative
Assembly.
Keeping documents for warrants and emergency
authorisations
The chief officer of a law enforcement agency must keep the
following documents:
(a) each warrant issued to a law enforcement officer of the
agency;
(b) each notice given to the chief officer under
section (4) of revocation of a warrant;
(c) each emergency authorisation given to a law enforcement
officer of the agency;
(d) each application made by a law enforcement officer of
the agency for an emergency authorisation;
(e) a copy of each application made by a law enforcement
officer of the agency for:
(i) a warrant; and
(ii) an extension, variation or revocation of a warrant;
and
(iii) approval of the exercise of powers under an emergency
authorisation;
(f) a copy of each report made to a Judge or magistrate
under section ;
(g) a copy of each certificate issued by a senior officer of
the agency under section .
Other records to be kept
The chief officer of a law enforcement agency must keep the
following records:
(a) a statement as to whether each application made by a law
enforcement officer of the agency for a warrant, or extension, variation or
revocation of a warrant, was granted, refused or withdrawn;
(b) a statement as to whether each application made by a law
enforcement officer of the agency for an emergency authorisation, or for
approval of powers exercised under an emergency authorisation, was granted,
refused or withdrawn;
(c) details of each use by the agency, or by a law
enforcement officer of the agency, of information obtained by the use of a
surveillance device by a law enforcement officer of the agency;
(d) details of each communication by a law enforcement
officer of the agency to a person other than a law enforcement officer of the
agency of information obtained by the use of a surveillance device by a law
enforcement officer of the agency;
(e) details of each occasion when, to the knowledge of a law
enforcement officer of the agency, information obtained by the use of a
surveillance device by a law enforcement officer of the agency was given in
evidence in a relevant proceeding;
(f) details of the destruction of records or reports under
section (1)(b).
Register of warrants and emergency
authorisations
(1) The chief officer of a law enforcement agency must keep
a register of warrants and emergency authorisations.
(2) The register must, for each warrant issued to a law
enforcement officer of the agency, state the following:
(a) the date of issue;
(b) the name of the Judge or magistrate who issued
it;
(c) the name of the law enforcement officer primarily
responsible for executing it;
(d) the offence for which it was issued;
(e) the period during which it is in force;
(f) details of any extension or variation of
it.
(3) The register must, for each emergency authorisation
given to a law enforcement officer of the agency, state the
following:
(a) the date it was given;
(b) the name of the senior officer who gave
it;
(c) the name of the law enforcement officer to whom it was
given;
(d) the offence for which it was given;
(e) the date on which the application for approval of powers
exercised under it was made.
Inspection of records by Ombudsman
(1) The Ombudsman must, from time to time, inspect the
records of a law enforcement agency to decide the extent of compliance with this
Act by the agency and law enforcement officers of the agency.
(2) For the inspection, the Ombudsman:
(a) after notifying the chief officer of the agency, may
enter at any reasonable time a place occupied by the agency;
and
(b) is entitled to have full and free access at all
reasonable times to all records of the agency that are relevant to the
inspection; and
(c) may require a member of staff of the agency to give the
Ombudsman information that:
(i) is in the member's possession or to which the member has
access; and
(ii) is relevant to the inspection.
(3) The chief officer must ensure members of staff of the
agency give the Ombudsman any assistance the Ombudsman reasonably requires to
enable the Ombudsman to perform functions under this section.
Ombudsman's reports on investigations
(1) The Ombudsman must make a written report to the
Minister at
6-monthly intervals on the results of each
inspection under section .
(2) The Minister must, within 7 sitting days after
receiving a report, table a copy of it in the Legislative
Assembly.
Commonwealth Ombudsman's reports on
investigations
The Minister must, within 7 sitting days after
receiving a report by the Commonwealth Ombudsman under section 61(3) of the
Surveillance Devices Act 2004 (Cth), table a copy of it in the
Legislative Assembly.
PART
9 – FURTHER OFFENCES, ENFORCEMENT AND LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
Possession of surveillance device for unlawful
use
A person must not possess a surveillance device knowing it
is intended for use in contravention of this Act or a law of the Commonwealth or
another jurisdiction.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
Damaging etc. surveillance device
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if:
(a) the person:
(i) engages in conduct that causes damage to, or interferes
with the use of, a surveillance device installed on a place or thing;
or
(ii) removes or retrieves a surveillance device installed on
a place or thing; and
(b) a law enforcement officer lawfully installed the
device.
Maximum penalty: 250 penalty units or imprisonment for 2
years.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person is
authorised to damage, interfere with, remove or retrieve the device by or under
this Act or a law of the Commonwealth or another jurisdiction.
Division
2 – Search and seizure of surveillance devices
Power to search and seize
(1) A police officer who reasonably believes a person
possesses a surveillance device that is intended to be used in contravention of
this Act, a law of the Commonwealth or another jurisdiction
may:
(a) stop and search the person; or
(b) stop, detain and search a vehicle the officer reasonably
believes may contain the device or evidence concerning the possession or
intended use of the device; or
(c) at any time, enter and search a place the officer
reasonably believes the device is being kept or may contain evidence of the
possession or intended use of the device.
(2) If the police officer reasonably believes a
surveillance device has been, is being, is about to be or is likely to be used
in connection with the commission of an offence, the officer may seize and
remove the device and any connection device.
(3) The police officer may exercise a power under this
section with the help, and using the force, that is reasonable in the
circumstances.
(4) In this section:
"search", of a person, means a search of the person or
things in the person's possession, that may include:
(a) requiring the person to remove only the person's
overcoat, coat or jacket or similar article of clothing and any gloves, shoes
and hat; and
(b) an examination of the things.
Retention of seized device
(1) This section applies if a police officer seizes a
surveillance device or connection device under section (2).
(2) The seized device may be retained until the final
decision on a proceeding in relation to the device unless it is ordered to be
returned or otherwise dealt with under subsection (4).
(3) A person claiming to have an interest (whether as owner
or otherwise) in the device may apply to a magistrate for its return or for it
to be otherwise dealt with.
(4) The magistrate may make the order the magistrate
considers just:
(a) for the release of or other dealing with the device
subject to any conditions relating to its production as evidence at a
proceeding; or
(b) for the retention of the device by the Commissioner of
Police.
Division
3 – Legal proceedings
Admissibility in criminal proceeding of information
inadvertently obtained
(1) This section applies if a private conversation or
private activity has inadvertently come to the knowledge of a law enforcement
officer or authorised person as a direct or indirect result of the use of a
surveillance device under a surveillance device warrant or emergency
authorisation.
(2) In a criminal proceeding, the law enforcement officer
or authorised person may:
(a) give evidence of the conversation or activity;
or
(b) give evidence obtained as a consequence of the
conversation or activity coming to the person's knowledge.
(3) Subsection (2) applies regardless of whether the
warrant or authorisation was issued for a purpose that allowed the evidence to
be obtained.
(4) However, the evidence is inadmissible if the court is
satisfied the application on which the warrant or authorisation was issued was
not made in good faith.
Evidentiary certificates
(1) A senior officer of a law enforcement agency, or a
person assisting the senior officer, may issue a written certificate signed by
the officer or person stating any facts the officer or person considers relevant
in relation to:
(a) anything done by a law
enforcement officer of the agency, or by a person assisting or providing
technical expertise to the officer, in relation to the execution of a warrant or
under an emergency authorisation; or
(b) anything done by a law enforcement officer of the agency
in relation to:
(i) the communication by a person to another person of
relevant information; or
(ii) the making use of relevant information;
or
(iii) the making of a record of relevant information;
or
(iv) the custody of a record of relevant
information.
(2) For subsection (1)(b), relevant information is
information obtained by the use of a surveillance device under a warrant,
emergency authorisation, corresponding warrant or corresponding emergency
authorisation.
(3) A document purporting to be a certificate issued under
subsection (1) or a corresponding provision of a corresponding law is
admissible in evidence in any proceeding.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply to a certificate to the
extent the certificate states facts in relation to anything done under an
emergency authorisation or corresponding emergency authorisation unless the use
of powers under the authorisation has been approved under section or a
corresponding provision of a corresponding law.
Liability of executive officers of body
corporate
(1) If a body corporate commits an offence against this Act
(the "principal offence"), each of the executive officers of the body corporate
commits an offence (the "secondary offence") and is liable to the penalty
applicable to an individual who commits the principal offence.
(2) However, it is a defence for an executive officer to
establish:
(a) the officer did not know, and could not reasonably have
been expected to know, the principal offence was to be or was being committed;
or
(b) the officer exercised due diligence to prevent the
commission of the principal offence.
(3) The executive officer may be found guilty of the
secondary offence even though the body corporate has not been charged with, or
found guilty of, the principal offence.
(4) This section does not affect the liability of the body
corporate for the principal offence.
(5) In this section:
"executive officer", of a body corporate, means a director
or other person who is concerned with, or takes part in, the management of the
body corporate, and includes a
constituent member of a body corporate incorporated for a public purpose by a
law of the Commonwealth or a State or
Territory.
Forfeiture orders
(1) If a person (the "offender") is found guilty of an
offence against this Act, the court may make either or both of the following
orders (each a "forfeiture order"):
(a) an order that any surveillance device or connection
device used in connection with the commission of the offence is forfeited to the
Territory;
(b) an order that a report or record of information obtained
by the use of a surveillance device relating to the offence is forfeited to the
Territory.
(2) Before making a forfeiture order under subsection
(1)(a), the court may give notice to, and hear, the persons it considers
appropriate.
(3) A forfeiture order is in addition to a penalty imposed
on the offender.
(4) When imposing a penalty on the offender, the court must
not take into account its power to make a forfeiture order.
(5) On the making of a forfeiture order, a law enforcement
officer may seize the device to which the offence relates.
(6) For seizing the device, the law enforcement officer
may, with the help, and using the force, that is reasonable in the
circumstances:
(a) enter a place the officer reasonably believes the device
may be found; and
(b) remain on the place for as long as reasonably required
to search the place.
PART
10 – MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS
Authorised persons
(1) The Commissioner of Police may appoint an eligible
employee to be an authorised person to use a surveillance device under a
warrant.
(2) An eligible employee may be appointed only if the
Commissioner is satisfied the employee has the qualifications or experience to
use surveillance devices.
(3) An appointment is subject to the conditions stated in
the instrument of appointment.
(4) In this section:
"eligible employee" means:
(a) an Aboriginal Community Police officer or Police
auxiliary appointed under section 19 of the Police Administration Act;
or
(b) a public sector employee assigned to the Police Civil
Employment Unit;
"Police Civil Employment Unit" means the Agency of that name
mentioned in Schedule 1 to the Public Sector Employment and Management
Act.
Acquisition on just terms
If, apart from this section, property would be acquired
from a person because of the operation of this Act other than on just
terms:
(a) the person is entitled to receive from the Territory the
compensation necessary to ensure the acquisition is on just terms;
and
(b) a court of competent jurisdiction may decide the amount
of compensation or make the orders it considers necessary to ensure the
acquisition is on just terms.
Protection from liability
(1) This section applies to a person who is or has
been:
(a) a police officer; or
(b) an authorised person; or
(c) a person assisting a police officer or authorised person
exercise a power or perform a function under this Act.
(2) The person is not civilly or criminally liable for an
act done or omitted to be done by the person in good faith in the exercise or
purported exercise of a power, or the performance or purported performance of a
function, under this Act.
(3) Subsection (2) does not affect any liability the
Territory would, apart from this section, have for the act or
omission.
(4) Subsections (2) and (3) have effect subject to Part
VIIA of the Police Administration Act to the extent it relates to the
civil liability of a person who is or has been a police
officer.
Regulations
(1) The Administrator may make regulations under this
Act.
(2) The regulations may:
(a) prescribe fees payable under this Act;
and
(b) for an offence against the regulations, prescribe a fine
not exceeding 200 penalty units.
PART
11 – REPEALS AND TRANSITIONAL MATTERS
Repeal
The Surveillance Devices Act (Act No. 56 of 2000) is
repealed.
Definitions
In this Part:
"commencement date" means the day on which section
commences;
"repealed Act" means the Surveillance Devices Act as
in force immediately before the commencement date.
Undecided applications relating to warrants
(1) An undecided application for a warrant under section 9
of the repealed Act is taken to be an application for a surveillance device
warrant or retrieval warrant.
(2) An undecided application for an amendment of the terms
of a warrant under section 19 of the repealed Act is taken to be an application
for the extension or variation of a surveillance device warrant or retrieval
warrant.
(3) An undecided application for an extension of a warrant
under section 20 of the repealed Act is taken to be an application for the
extension or variation of a surveillance device warrant or retrieval
warrant.
(4) In this section:
"undecided application" means an application that has not
been decided immediately before the commencement date.
Warrants
(1) This section applies to a warrant issued under section
12 of the repealed Act and in force immediately before the commencement
date.
(2) The warrant is taken to be a surveillance device
warrant or retrieval warrant authorising the matters stated in
it.
(3) The warrant continues in force until the date it would
have expired under the repealed Act had this Act not been
enacted.
Urgent authorisations
(1) An urgent authorisation issued under section 25 of the
repealed Act is taken to be an emergency authorisation.
(2) If an application for a warrant under section 29 of the
repealed Act has not been made for the emergency authorisation at the beginning
of the commencement date, the authorisation is taken to have been issued on the
day before the commencement date.
(3) If an application for a warrant made under section 29
of the repealed Act for the emergency authorisation has not been decided at the
beginning of the commencement date, the application may be decided as if it were
an application under section 38 of this Act.
Information, records and reports obtained under repealed
Act
(1) The following information is taken to be local
protected information:
(a) information obtained from the use of a surveillance
device under a warrant or urgent authorisation under the repealed
Act;
(b) information relating to:
(i) an application for, issue of, existence of or expiry of
a warrant or urgent authorisation under the repealed Act; or
(ii) an application for approval of powers exercised under
an urgent authorisation under the repealed Act.
(2) A record or report obtained by the use of a
surveillance device under a warrant or urgent authorisation under the repealed
Act is taken to have been obtained by the use of a surveillance device under a
surveillance device warrant or emergency authorisation.
PART
12 – CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS
Division
1 – Amendment of Information Act
Act amended
This Division amends the Information
Act.
Amendment of Schedule 1 (Secrecy provisions)
Schedule 1
insert (in alphabetical order)
Surveillance Devices Act sections 15(1), 16(1) and
52(1) and (2)
Division
2 – Amendment of Ombudsman (Northern Territory)
Act
Act amended
This Division amends the Ombudsman (Northern Territory)
Act.
Amendment of section 12 (Delegation)
(1) Section 12(1), after "under this"
insert
or another
(2) Section 12(4)
omit
Amendment of section 31 (Protection of Ombudsman and
staff)
(1) Section 31(1)
omit
in pursuance of this Act or of an authority given under
this Act
substitute
under this or another Act
(2) Section 31(4), after "under this"
insert
or another
Division
3 – Expiry of Part
Expiry
This Part expires on the day after it
commences.
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