Veterinary Services Act 2023

An inspector may—

at any reasonable time, enter and remain in or on any premises, place or vehicle that the officer reasonably suspects is used for, or in connection with, the provision of veterinary services (and, if entry is refused, may employ such force as is reasonably necessary to gain entry); and

at any reasonable time, give directions with respect to stopping or movement of a vehicle that is, or is reasonably suspected to be, used in the course of, or for the purposes of, providing veterinary services for the purposes of inspecting the vehicle; and

inspect or search the premises, place or vehicle or any equipment or other thing on the premises, place or vehicle; and

take photographs or make video or audio recordings; and

inspect any records kept by a person whom the authorised officer reasonably suspects of providing veterinary services and, for that purpose, require the person, or an employee or agent of the person, to produce the records; and

examine, copy or take extracts from such records, or require the person, or an employee or agent of the person, to provide a copy of the records; and

remove and retain such records for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose of making a copy or extract of the record; and

seize and remove anything that constitutes evidence of an offence against this Act; and

require any person who is in a position to provide information relevant to the matters under investigation to answer any question put by the inspector in relation to those matters; and

if the inspector reasonably suspects that an offence against this Act has been or is being committed, require the suspected offender to state their full name and address.

An inspector must not exercise the power conferred by subsection (1)(a) in relation to residential premises except—

with the consent of the occupier of the premises; or

on the authority of a warrant issued by a magistrate under this section; or

if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the premises are used on a continuing or regular basis for, or in connection with, the provision of veterinary services.

A magistrate may issue a warrant for the purposes of this section if satisfied, by information given on oath, that the warrant is reasonably required in the circumstances.

The person in charge of premises at the relevant time must give an inspector such assistance and provide such facilities as are necessary to enable the powers conferred by this section to be exercised. Maximum penalty: Maximum penalty: $5 000.