Biosecurity Act 2019

In this section – information includes documents, records, recordings, registers, data and electronic communications.

An authorised officer may, by written notice, require a person to provide the authorised officer with such information as is specified in the notice.

A notice under subsection (2) is to specify – the information that is to be provided; and if the information is in more than one format, in which of those formats the information is to be provided; and the time and place at which the information is to be provided.

A person provided with a notice under subsection (2) must comply with the notice. In the case of – a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 2 500 penalty units; or an individual, a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units.

It is a defence in proceedings for an offence under subsection (4) if the defendant establishes that he or she – does not have possession or control of the information specified in the notice; and informed the authorised officer of that fact before the information was required to be provided under the notice.

An authorised officer may – make copies of all or any part of information provided under this section as necessary; and retain information provided under this section for such time as is reasonably necessary.