Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents
148 Unauthorised use or disclosure of information or documents
A person must not use or disclose information or a document obtained under Division 2 of this Part in an inquiry into a suspected contravention for a purpose that is not related to the inquiry or rectifying the suspected contravention, unless:
the person reasonably believes that the use or disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent:
a serious risk to a person’s health or safety; or
a serious threat to public health or safety; or
the person has reason to suspect that unlawful activity has been, is being or may be engaged in, and uses or discloses the information or document as a necessary part of an investigation of the matter or in reporting concerns to relevant persons or authorities; or
the use or disclosure is required or authorised by or under law; or
the person reasonably believes that the use or disclosure is reasonably necessary for 1 or more of the following by, or on behalf of, an enforcement body (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988):
the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of criminal offences, breaches of a law imposing a penalty or sanction or breaches of a prescribed law;
the enforcement of laws relating to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime;
the protection of the public revenue;
the prevention, detection, investigation or remedying of seriously improper conduct or prescribed conduct;
the preparation for, or conduct of, proceedings before any court or tribunal, or implementation of the orders of a court or tribunal; or
if the information is, or the document contains, personal information—the use or disclosure is made with the consent of the individual to whom the information relates.
WHS civil penalty provision.
Penalty: The WHS civil penalty provision tier 2.
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