Biosecurity Act 2025

Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be commenced by (and only by)—

the

Minister; or

the

Director of Public Prosecutions; or

the

Chief Executive; or

a

Chief Officer; or

an authorised officer; or

in the case of an offence against Schedule 2, the Dog Fence Board;

a prescribed person or a person of a prescribed class; or

a person acting with the written authorisation of the Minister

A prosecution for an offence under this Act may be commenced at any time within 5 years after the date of the alleged commission of the offence or, with the authorisation of the Minister after consultation with the Attorney-General, at any later time within

7 years after the date of the alleged commission of the offence.

An apparently genuine document purporting to be signed by the Minister and to authorise a person to act under subsection (1)(h) or the commencement of a prosecution under subsection (2) will be accepted in any legal proceedings, in the absence of proof to the contrary, as proof of the authorisation.