Gene Technology Act 2000

This section applies if:

an inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be on any premises a particular thing in respect of which this Act or the regulations have not been complied with; and

the inspector considers that it is necessary to exercise powers under this section in order to avoid an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury, or to protect the environment.

The inspector may do any of the following:

enter the premises;

search the premises for the thing;

secure the thing, if the inspector finds it on the premises, until a warrant is obtained to seize the thing;

if the inspector has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a person has not complied with this Act or the regulations in respect of the thing—require the person to take such steps as the inspector considers necessary for the person to comply with this Act or the regulations;

take such steps, or arrange for such steps to be taken, in relation to the thing as the inspector considers appropriate.

The inspector may exercise the powers in subsection (2) only to the extent that it is necessary for the purpose of avoiding an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment.

If the Regulator incurs costs because of steps reasonably taken or arranged to be taken by an inspector under paragraph (2)(e), the person is liable to pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to the costs, and the amount may be recovered by the Commonwealth as a debt due to the Commonwealth in a court of competent jurisdiction.