Ground Water (Qualco-Sunlands) Control Act 2000

The Minister, or a person authorised by the Minister, may inspect the Scheme infrastructure and the disposal basins at any time during the course of construction and at any time after construction is completed.

For the purposes of an inspection under subsection (1), the Minister or authorised person may—

enter any land whether on foot or in a vehicle; and

put to any person any question relating to the construction or maintenance of the Scheme infrastructure or the disposal basins;

take photographs, films or video or audio recordings or make a record in any other manner or by any other means.

A person who—

without reasonable excuse hinders or obstructs the Minister or an authorised person engaged in exercising powers under this section;

fails to answer a question put by the Minister or an authorised person to the best of his or her knowledge, information or belief;

uses abusive, threatening or insulting language to the Minister or an authorised person when exercising powers under this section, is guilty of an offence. Maximum penalty: $5 000.

A person is not excused from answering a question when required to do so under this section on the ground that the answer might tend to incriminate the person or make him or her liable to a penalty.

However, if the person objects to answering the question on that ground, the answer is not admissible against the person in any criminal proceedings other than proceedings for an offence with respect to false or misleading statements.

A person entering land under this section must comply with the requirements of section 71.