Crimes Act 1958

On an application under section 53X, the court may order that the seized thing, or the electronic material contained in the seized thing, to which the application relates—

be forfeited to the State; and

be destroyed or disposed of in a manner—

determined by the court; and

specified in the order.

The court may only make an intimate image disposal order—

if satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that—

the seized thing is, or the electronic material contained in the seized thing includes, an intimate image; and

the return to a person of the seized thing, or of the electronic material contained in the seized thing, may result in the commission of an intimate image offence; or

if satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that—

the seized thing contains encrypted or password protected electronic material; and

there are reasonable grounds to believe that the electronic material includes an intimate image.

The court may give any direction necessary to give effect to an intimate image disposal order made by it.

The following persons are entitled to appear and give evidence at the hearing of the application—

any person notified under section 53Y(1) or (4);

any other person who claims an interest in the seized thing or in electronic material contained in the seized thing.

The court is not prevented from making an intimate image disposal order because a person referred to in subsection (4) has not appeared before the court.