Criminal Code Act 1899

If the accused person does not plead to the information according to the exigency of the summons endorsed on the copy served on the person, the prosecutor may serve the accused person with a notice to the effect that unless the person pleads or demurs within 8 days a plea of not guilty will be filed in the person’s name.

Upon filing an affidavit setting forth the service of the information and of such notice, and of default of pleading in accordance with the exigency of the notice, the prosecutor may cause a plea of not guilty to be filed for the accused person, and thereupon the same proceedings may be had as if the accused person had filed a plea of not guilty.

Or, in the case of a misdemeanour, judgment of conviction may, by leave of the court or a judge, be entered against the accused person for want of a plea.

But the court or a judge may, either before or after the time so prescribed, allow further time for the accused person to plead or demur to the information.