Hemp Industry Act 2008

On receiving an application for a licence, the Secretary is authorised to carry out such investigations and inquiries as the Secretary considers necessary to determine the application.

In particular, the Secretary must conduct a criminal record check in relation to the applicant and may conduct a criminal record check in relation to any person who, in the opinion of the Secretary, is a close associate of the applicant. It is the duty of the Commissioner of Police to assist in any such criminal record check.

The Secretary may, by notice in writing, require a person who is an applicant for a licence or who, in the opinion of the Secretary, is a close associate of the applicant to do any one or more of the following things—

to provide, in accordance with directions in the notice, such information as is relevant to the investigation of the application and specified in the notice,

to produce, in accordance with directions in the notice, such records as are relevant to the investigation of the application and specified in the notice,

to furnish to the Secretary such authorities and consents as the Secretary directs for the purpose of enabling the Secretary to obtain information (including financial and other confidential information) from other persons concerning the applicant or close associate.

If a requirement made under this section is not complied with, the Secretary may refuse to determine the application concerned.

Any costs incurred by the Secretary in conducting a criminal record check under this section are to be paid by the applicant for the licence concerned.