Customs Act 1901

Where a Collector considers that it is desirable, for the purposes of this Act, to hold a ship or aircraft at a boarding station, the Collector may, by notice in writing delivered to the master of the ship or the pilot of the aircraft before it leaves the boarding station, direct the master or pilot not to move the ship or aircraft from the boarding station until the master or pilot receives permission, in writing, from a Collector to do so.

A person shall not disobey a direction given to him or her, and in force, under this section.

Subsection (2) is an offence of strict liability.

For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

Where a direction not to move a ship or aircraft from a boarding station has been given under subsection (1):

the direction ceases to have any force or effect at the expiration of a period of 3 days after the day on which the direction is given; and

no further direction in respect of the ship or aircraft shall be given while the ship or aircraft remains at the boarding station.

If a Collector (not being the Comptroller‑General of Customs) gives a direction under subsection (1) not to move a ship or aircraft from a boarding station, the Collector must as soon as practicable notify the Comptroller‑General of Customs of the giving of the direction.

Where:

a ship or aircraft is held at a boarding station by virtue of a direction given under subsection (1); and

the Comptroller‑General of Customs is satisfied that no purpose of this Act is served by holding the ship or aircraft at the boarding station;

In proceedings for an offence under this section with respect to a direction, a certificate by a person referred to in the last preceding subsection that he or she is satisfied that, up to the time the offence is alleged to have been committed:

the permission referred to in the direction had not been given; and

the direction had not been revoked;