HARBORS AND NAVIGATION ACT 1993 - SECT 28F

HARBORS AND NAVIGATION ACT 1993 - SECT 28F

28F—Power to deal with non-compliance

        (1)         The Minister may take disciplinary action against a port operator for non-compliance with a port operating agreement or this Act.

        (2)         The disciplinary action may consist of—

            (a)         a reprimand; or

            (b)         a fine not exceeding a limit fixed in the port operating agreement; or

            (c)         cancellation of the port operating agreement.

        (3)         Before the Minister takes disciplinary action against a port operator under this section, the Minister must give written notice to the port operator—

            (a)         specifying the non-compliance; and

            (b)         stating the disciplinary action the Minister proposes to take in respect of the non-compliance; and

            (c)         allowing the port operator a reasonable opportunity to make written representations.

        (4)         After considering the port operator's representations, the Minister may—

            (a)         refrain from taking disciplinary action; or

            (b)         by written notice to the port operator—

                  (i)         administer a reprimand; or

                  (ii)         impose a fine (to be recoverable as a debt due to the Crown) of an amount stated in the earlier notice or of a lesser amount; or

                  (iii)         if cancellation of the port operating agreement was proposed in the earlier notice—

                        (A)         impose a fine not exceeding the maximum permissible under the port operating agreement; or

                        (B)         cancel the port operating agreement.

        (5)         A port operator may apply to the Tribunal under section 34 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 for a review of a decision of the Minister to take disciplinary action against the port operator under this section.

        (5a)         For the purposes of proceedings before the Tribunal under this section, a panel of assessors must be established under section 22 of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 consisting of persons with expertise that would be of value to the Tribunal in relation to the proceedings.

        (5b)         In any proceedings under this section, the Tribunal may, if the President of the Tribunal so determines, sit with 1 or more assessors.

        (5c)         Section 37(1)(c)(ii) of the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2013 does not apply in relation to a review of a decision of the Minister to take disciplinary action against a port operator under this section.

        (7)         The port operating agreement may contain provisions governing the exercise of the Minister's powers under this section.