Northern Territory Consolidated Acts Northern Territory Consolidated Acts(1) The Minister may, by notice in writing, appoint a person to hold either a preliminary inquiry or a formal investigation into a casualty in relation to a vessel that was, at the time that the casualty occurred, in Northern Territory waters.
(2) Where a person is appointed to hold a preliminary inquiry, he shall, upon the conclusion of that inquiry, make a report to the Minister on the circumstances relating to that casualty and such report shall state whether or not it is his opinion that a formal investigation should be held.
(3) Where it appears to the Minister on receipt of a report from a person holding a preliminary inquiry to be desirable or necessary to do so, he may order the suspension of any certificate of competency issued under this Act pending the outcome of a formal investigation.
(4) A person shall not be appointed to hold a formal investigation under subsection (1) unless the person is a lawyer or holds judicial office.