Gene Technology Act 2000

Subject to any contrary order of a court, if an inspector seizes a thing under this Part, the inspector must return it if:

the reason for its seizure no longer exists or it is decided that it is not to be used in evidence; or

the period of 60 days after its seizure ends;

At the end of the 60 days specified in subsection (1), an inspector must take reasonable steps to return the thing to the person from whom it was seized, unless:

proceedings in respect of which the thing may afford evidence were instituted before the end of the 60 days and have not been completed (including an appeal to a court in relation to those proceedings); or

an inspector may retain the thing because of an order under section 170; or

to return the thing could cause an imminent risk of death, serious illness, serious injury or serious damage to the environment; or

an inspector is otherwise authorised (by a law, or an order of a court, of the Commonwealth or of a State) to retain, destroy or dispose of the thing.

The thing may be returned under subsection (2) either unconditionally or on such terms and conditions as the Regulator sees fit.