Co-operatives National Law (NSW)

An inspector has the following powers in relation to a relevant document found by an inspector at a place entered by the inspector or produced to the inspector under a requirement made under this Part—

power to take possession of the document or secure it against interference;

power to make copies of, or take extracts from, the document;

power to require a person who was party to the creation of the document to make a statement giving any explanation the person is able to give as to any matter relating to the creation of the document or as to any matter to which the document relates;

power to retain possession of the document for the period necessary to enable the document to be inspected, and copies of, or extracts from, the document to be made or taken.

While an inspector retains possession of a document, the inspector must permit a person who would be entitled to inspect the document were it not in the possession of the inspector to inspect the document at a reasonable time and make a copy of, or take extracts from, the document.

If an inspector takes possession of or secures against interference a relevant document and a person has a lien on the document, the inspector’s actions do not prejudice the lien.