(1)  If the Court adjourns the hearing of an application for an assessment order, the Court may also make an interim assessment order.

(2)  An interim assessment order may contain one or more of the following orders:

(a) an order granting custody of the child to the Secretary;

(b) an order directing a guardian of the child to take the steps specified in the order to secure the proper care and protection of the child;

(c) an order directing that the person specified in the order be allowed, or not be allowed, access to the child or to reside with the child;

(d) an order authorising the examination and assessment of the child;

(e) an order authorising the Secretary to require –

(i) any person to answer, to the best of his or her knowledge, information or belief, questions put by an employee of the Department authorised by the Secretary, either generally or in the particular case, to exercise the power to question; or

(ii) any person who has examined, assessed or treated a party to the proceedings (other than the child), or the agency for whom the person works, to provide the Secretary with a written report of that examination, assessment or treatment;

(f) any other order the Court considers appropriate.

(3)  An interim assessment order has effect only during the period of the adjournment.

(4)  A party to the application for an assessment order who has been served personally with the interim assessment order or was present in the Court when the interim assessment order was made must not contravene the order.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 40 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.