Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act 2024

This section applies if an inspector enters an investigation area under an investigation warrant to search for evidential material.

The investigation powers include the power to secure any equipment that is in the investigation area if the inspector reasonably suspects that:

there is evidential material of the kind specified in the warrant in the investigation area; and

the evidential material may be accessible by operating the equipment; and

expert assistance is required to operate the equipment; and

the evidential material may be destroyed, altered or otherwise interfered with, if the inspector does not take action under this subsection.

See section 51 for the offence relating to interfering with the securing of, or secured, equipment.

The inspector must give notice to a relevant person in relation to the investigation area of:

the inspector’s intention to secure the equipment; and

the fact that the equipment may be secured for up to 72 hours.

The equipment may be secured until the earlier of the following happens:

the 72‑hour period ends;

the equipment has been operated by the expert.

The period for which equipment may be secured may be extended (see section 50).

For compensation for damage to equipment, see section 96.