{"id":"terrorism-police-powers-act-2005","name":"Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005","slug":"terrorism-police-powers-act-2005","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":110530,"registerId":"sa-terrorism-police-powers-act-2005-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005","content":"South Australia\nTerrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005\nAn Act to give special powers to police officers to prevent and investigate terrorist acts; and for other purposes.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n2\tInterpretation\nPart 2—Special powers\nDivision 1—Special powers authorisation\n3\tIssue of authorisation\n4\tDuration of authorisation\n5\tContent of authorisation\n6\tRevocation of authorisation\nDivision 2—Powers resulting from special powers authorisation\n7\tExercise of powers under authorisation\n8\tPower to require disclosure of identity\n9\tPower to search persons\n10\tPower to search vehicles\n11\tPower to search premises\n12\tPowers in relation to target area\nDivision 3—Search powers in special areas\n13\tSpecial area declaration\n14\tPower to search baggage etc in special area\nDivision 4—Incidental powers\n15\tPower to seize and detain things\n16\tPower to use reasonable force\nDivision 5—Constraints on exercise of powers\n17\tConstraints on exercise of powers\nDivision 6—Offences relating to exercise of powers\n18\tOffences relating to exercise of powers\nDivision 7—Procedural and other matters\n19\tProcess for seeking judicial officer confirmation\n20\tRecognition of other law enforcement officers\n21\tSupplying police officer's details and other information\n22\tReturn of seized things\n23\tDisposal of property on application to court\n24\tProtection of police acting in execution of authorisation\n25\tOther Acts do not limit powers and powers under other Acts not limited\n26\tAuthorisation or declaration not open to challenge\n27\tEvidentiary provision\nPart 2A—Terrorist act declarations\n27A\tDeclaration\n27B\tUse of force in relation to declared terrorist act\n27C\tIdentity of police officers not to be revealed in court or published\nPart 3—Miscellaneous\n28\tReport to be given to Attorney-General and Police Minister\n29\tRegulations\n30\tReview of Act\n31\tExpiry of Act\nSchedule 1—Conduct of personal searches\n1\tInterpretation\n2\tAction that may or may not be taken in conducting search\n3\tRules for conduct of searches\n4\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005.\n2—Interpretation\n\t(1)\tIn this Act—\nCommissioner of Police includes a person appointed as acting Commissioner of Police;\nDeputy Commissioner of Police includes a person appointed as acting Deputy Commissioner of Police;\nin or about to enter a vehicle—see subsection (2);\ninvestigative authorisation—see section 3(2);\nPolice Minister means the Minister administering the Police Act 1998;\npolice officer means—\n\t(a)\ta police officer; or\n\t(b)\ta person appointed as a recognised law enforcement officer under section 20;\npremises includes land;\npreventative authorisation—see section 3(1);\nrelevant authority—see section 3(3);\nrelevant judicial officer means—\n\t(a)\ta Judge of the Supreme Court; or\n\t(b)\ta Judge of the District Court;\nspecial area means the site or area specified in a special area declaration;\nspecial area declaration means a special area declaration issued under Part 2 Division 3;\nspecial event means a community, cultural, arts, entertainment, recreational, sporting or other similar event that is to be held over a limited period of time;\nspecial powers authorisation means a special powers authorisation issued under Part 2 Division 1;\ntarget of an authorisation—see section 5(2);\nterrorist act has the same meaning as in Part 5.3 of the Criminal Code of the Commonwealth, except that it does not include a terrorist act comprised of a threat;\nterrorist act declaration—see section 27A;\nvehicle means anything designed to transport a person or goods by road, rail, air or water.\n\t(2)\tIn this Act, a reference to a person or thing in a vehicle includes a reference to a person or thing on a vehicle and a reference to a person about to enter a vehicle includes a reference to a person about to be on a vehicle.\nPart 2—Special powers\nDivision 1—Special powers authorisation\n3—Issue of authorisation\n\t(1)\tThe relevant authority may issue a special powers authorisation (a preventative authorisation) if there are reasonable grounds to believe—\n\t(a)\tthat a terrorist act is imminent, whether in or outside this State; and\n\t(b)\tthat the exercise of powers under this Act will substantially assist in the prevention of the terrorist act.\n\t(2)\tThe relevant authority may issue a special powers authorisation (an investigative authorisation) if there are reasonable grounds to believe—\n\t(a)\tthat a terrorist act is being or has been committed, whether in or outside this State; and\n\t(b)\tthat the exercise of powers under this Act will substantially assist in the investigation of the terrorist act.\n\t(3)\tThe relevant authority is—\n\t(a)\tthe Commissioner of Police; or\n\t(b)\tif the Commissioner of Police is unavailable to issue an authorisation, the Deputy Commissioner of Police; or\n\t(c)\tif the Commissioner of Police and the Deputy Commissioner of Police are both unavailable to issue an authorisation, an Assistant Commissioner of Police; or\n\t(d)\tif the Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police and all Assistant Commissioners of Police are unavailable to issue an authorisation, a police officer above the rank of superintendent.\n\t(4)\tA special powers authorisation may be issued orally in urgent circumstances, but if issued orally, must be confirmed in writing as soon as practicable after its issue.\n\t(5)\tThe relevant authority must not issue a special powers authorisation unless both the Police Minister and a relevant judicial officer have confirmed that the relevant authority has proper grounds for issuing the authorisation under subsection (1) or subsection (2), as the case may be.\n\t(6)\tHowever, the relevant authority may issue a special powers authorisation without the confirmation required under subsection (5) if satisfied that it is necessary to do so because of the urgency of the circumstances, but, in that event—\n\t(a)\tthe relevant authority must seek confirmation, as soon as possible, of the Police Minister and a relevant judicial officer that the relevant authority had proper grounds for issuing the authorisation; and\n\t(b)\tthe authorisation ceases to operate if the Police Minister or relevant judicial officer refuses to confirm that the relevant authority had proper grounds for issuing the authorisation.\n4—Duration of authorisation\n\t(1)\tA special powers authorisation commences to operate when it is issued.\n\t(2)\tA special powers authorisation ceases to operate at the time specified in the authorisation (unless it ceases to operate at an earlier time under section 3 or 6).\n\t(3)\tThe period for which an authorisation operates must not exceed—\n\t(a)\tin the case of a preventative authorisation—7 days;\n\t(b)\tin the case of an investigative authorisation—24 hours.\n\t(4)\tA further special powers authorisation may be issued in relation to the same terrorist act in order to extend the period of operation of an earlier authorisation, but only so that the total period of operation of the authorisations does not exceed—\n\t(a)\tin the case of preventative authorisations—14 days;\n\t(b)\tin the case of investigative authorisations—48 hours.\n5—Content of authorisation\n\t(1)\tA special powers authorisation must—\n\t(a)\tstate that it is issued under this Act; and\n\t(b)\tstate whether it is a preventative authorisation or an investigative authorisation; and\n\t(c)\tstate whether it has been confirmed by the Police Minister and a relevant judicial officer; and\n\t(d)\tstate the date and time it is issued; and\n\t(e)\tstate the date and time it will cease to operate; and\n\t(f)\tdescribe the general nature of the terrorist act to which it applies; and\n\t(g)\tname or describe (if appropriate by using a picture, map or other visual depiction) 1 or more of the following:\n\t(i)\tan area of the State in which the powers conferred by this Act may be exercised;\n\t(ii)\ta person sought in connection with the terrorist act;\n\t(iii)\ta vehicle sought in connection with the terrorist act.\n\t(2)\tThe person, vehicle or area is referred to in this Act as the target of the authorisation.\n\t(3)\tAn area that is the target of an authorisation must not be larger than is reasonably necessary for the prevention or investigation of the terrorist act.\n6—Revocation of authorisation\n\t(1)\tA special powers authorisation may be revoked by the relevant authority who issued it or a police officer of a more senior rank.\n\t(2)\tThe Commissioner of Police must revoke a special powers authorisation if directed to do so by the Police Minister.\n\t(3)\tThe cessation of operation of a special powers authorisation (by revocation or otherwise) does not affect anything lawfully done in reliance on the authorisation before it ceased to operate.\nDivision 2—Powers resulting from special powers authorisation\n7—Exercise of powers under authorisation\n\t(1)\tA special powers authorisation authorises any police officer, with such assistants as the police officer considers necessary, to exercise the powers conferred by this Division for the purposes of—\n\t(a)\tin the case of a preventative authorisation—preventing the terrorist act described in the authorisation; and\n\t(b)\tin any case—investigating the terrorist act described in the authorisation.\n\t(2)\tA police officer may exercise a power conferred by this Division without being in possession of a copy of the special powers authorisation and without any other warrant.\n8—Power to require disclosure of identity\n\t(1)\tA police officer may require a person to disclose his or her identity if the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person—\n\t(a)\tis the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(b)\tis, in suspicious circumstances, in the company of a person who is the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(c)\tis about to enter, is in, or has recently left, a vehicle that is the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(d)\tis about to enter, is in, or has recently left, an area that is the target of an authorisation.\n\t(2)\tA police officer may require a person who is required under this section to disclose his or her identity to provide proof of his or her identity.\n9—Power to search persons\n\t(1)\tA police officer may stop and search a person, and anything in the possession of or under the control of the person, if the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person—\n\t(a)\tis the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(b)\tis, in suspicious circumstances, in the company of a person who is the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(c)\tis about to enter, is in, or has recently left, a vehicle that is the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(d)\tis about to enter, is in, or has recently left, an area that is the target of an authorisation.\n\t(2)\tSchedule 1 applies to a search conducted under this section.\n\t(3)\tSection 81 of the Summary Offences Act 1953 and regulations made under that section apply to a videotape recording made under Schedule 1 as if the recording had been made under that section.\n\t(4)\tA police officer may detain a person for as long as is reasonably necessary to conduct a search under this section.\n10—Power to search vehicles\n\t(1)\tA police officer may stop and search a vehicle, and anything in the vehicle, if the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that—\n\t(a)\tthe vehicle is the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(b)\ta person who is about to enter, is in, or has recently left, the vehicle is the target of an authorisation; or\n\t(c)\tthe vehicle is about to enter, is in, or has recently left, an area that is the target of an authorisation.\n\t(2)\tA police officer may detain a vehicle for so long as is reasonably necessary to conduct a search under this section.\n\t(3)\tA police officer may detain a person who is in a vehicle stopped under this section for as long as is reasonably necessary to conduct a search under this section.\n11—Power to search premises\n\t(1)\tA police officer may enter and search premises in an area that is the target of an authorisation.\n\t(2)\tA police officer may enter and search any premises for a person or vehicle that is the target of an authorisation if the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that the person or vehicle is on the premises.\n\t(3)\tA police officer may detain a person who is on premises entered under this section for as long as is reasonably necessary to conduct a search of the premises.\n12—Powers in relation to target area\n\t(1)\tA police officer may cordon off an area that is the target of an authorisation or any part of it.\n\t(2)\tIf an area is cordoned off—\n\t(a)\tthe cordon may include any form of physical barrier, including a roadblock on any road in, or in the vicinity of, the target area; and\n\t(b)\treasonable steps must be taken to ensure that the existence of the cordon is apparent to persons approaching the cordon; and\n\t(c)\ta police officer must remain near the cordoned off area.\n\t(3)\tA police officer may—\n\t(a)\trequire a person not to enter, to leave, or to remain in, an area that is the target of an authorisation or an area that is cordoned off;\n\t(b)\trequire a person in charge of a vehicle not to take the vehicle into, to remove the vehicle from, or not to remove the vehicle from, an area that is the target of an authorisation or an area that is cordoned off.\nDivision 3—Search powers in special areas\n13—Special area declaration\n\t(1)\tThe Commissioner of Police may issue a special area declaration declaring any of the following to be a special area:\n\t(a)\tthe site of an airport, train station, bus station, tram station or ship or ferry terminal;\n\t(b)\tthe site of a special event;\n\t(c)\tan area that is a public area where persons gather in large numbers,\nif the Commissioner is satisfied that the declaration is required because of the nature of the site or area and the risk of occurrence of a terrorist act.\n\t(2)\tA special area declaration—\n\t(a)\tmust state that it is issued under this Act; and\n\t(b)\tmust describe the site or area and define its boundaries; and \n\t(c)\tcommences to operate on the day and at the time stated in the declaration; and\n\t(d)\tceases to operate on the day and at the time stated in the declaration or on revocation of the declaration.\n\t(3)\tThe Commissioner of Police must not issue a special area declaration unless both the Police Minister and a relevant judicial officer have confirmed that the issuing of the declaration is appropriate in the circumstances.\n\t(4)\tA special area declaration may be revoked by the Commissioner of Police.\n\t(5)\tThe Commissioner of Police must revoke a special area declaration if directed to do so by the Police Minister.\n\t(6)\tThe issuing or revocation of a special area declaration must be notified in the Gazette.\n\t(7)\tThe cessation of operation of a special area declaration (by revocation or otherwise) does not affect anything lawfully done in reliance on the declaration before it ceased to operate.\n14—Power to search baggage etc in special area\n\t(1)\tA police officer may, in a special area, stop and search anything in the possession of or under the control of any person.\n\t(2)\tA police officer conducting a search under this section may require the person to open any baggage, parcel, container or other thing and to do anything else that is reasonable to facilitate the search.\n\t(3)\tA police officer may detain a person for as long as is reasonably necessary to conduct a search under this section.\n\t(4)\tA police officer may conduct a search under this section without being in possession of a copy of the special area declaration and without any other warrant.\nDivision 4—Incidental powers\n15—Power to seize and detain things\n\t(1)\tA police officer may, in connection with a search under this Act, seize and detain—\n\t(a)\tall or part of a thing (including a vehicle) that the officer suspects on reasonable grounds may provide evidence of the commission of a terrorist act; or\n\t(b)\tall or part of a thing (including a vehicle) that the officer suspects on reasonable grounds may provide evidence of the commission of an indictable offence (whether or not related to a terrorist act) that is punishable by imprisonment for life or for a term of 5 years or more.\n\t(2)\tA power conferred by this section to seize and detain a thing includes—\n\t(a)\ta power to remove a thing from the place where it is found; and\n\t(b)\ta power to guard the thing in or on the place where it is found.\n16—Power to use reasonable force\nIt is lawful for a police officer exercising a power under this Act to use such force as is reasonably necessary to exercise the power (including force reasonably necessary to break into premises or a vehicle or anything in or on premises, a vehicle or a person).\nDivision 5—Constraints on exercise of powers\n17—Constraints on exercise of powers\nPowers under this Act must be exercised with care—\n\t(a)\tto avoid inflicting unnecessary physical harm, humiliation or embarrassment; and\n\t(b)\tto avoid, as far as reasonably practicable, offending genuinely held cultural values or religious beliefs; and\n\t(c)\tto avoid causing unnecessary damage to property.\nDivision 6—Offences relating to exercise of powers\n18—Offences relating to exercise of powers\n\t(1)\tA person must not, without reasonable excuse, fail or refuse to comply with a requirement made by a police officer under this Act.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.\n\t(2)\tA person must not, without reasonable excuse, in response to a requirement to disclose his or her identity under this Act—\n\t(a)\tgive a name that is false in a material particular; or\n\t(b)\tgive an address other than the person's full and correct address.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.\n\t(3)\tA person must not, without being authorised by a police officer to do so or without reasonable excuse—\n\t(a)\tenter an area that is cordoned off under this Act; or\n\t(b)\tdamage, destroy, interfere with or remove any thing in an area that is cordoned off under this Act; or\n\t(c)\ttamper with or remove the cordon or any part of it.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.\n\t(4)\tA person must not, without reasonable excuse, obstruct or hinder a police officer in the exercise of a power under this Act.\nMaximum penalty: $10 000 or imprisonment for 2 years.\nDivision 7—Procedural and other matters\n19—Process for seeking judicial officer confirmation\nThe Commissioner of Police or other police officer concerned must comply with the process prescribed by the regulations in seeking to obtain from a relevant judicial officer the confirmation required under this Part in respect of the issuing of a special powers authorisation or special area declaration.\n20—Recognition of other law enforcement officers\n\t(1)\tThe Commissioner of Police or an Assistant Commissioner of Police may, by instrument in writing, appoint—\n\t(a)\ta member of the Australian Federal Police; or\n\t(b)\ta member of the police force of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth,\nas a recognised law enforcement officer.\n\t(2)\tAn appointment as a recognised law enforcement officer may be made subject to conditions.\n\t(3)\tThe instrument of appointment must specify the term of the appointment which may not exceed 14 days.\n\t(4)\tThe Commissioner of Police or an Assistant Commissioner of Police may revoke an appointment under this section.\n\t(5)\tA recognised law enforcement officer has the powers and immunities of a constable appointed under the Police Act 1998 (including powers and immunities at common law or under any Act).\n\t(6)\tA recognised law enforcement officer remains subject to the control and command of the police force of which he or she is a member.\n21—Supplying police officer's details and other information\n\t(1)\tA police officer must, before or at the time of exercising a power under this Act or as soon as is reasonably practicable after exercising the power—\n\t(a)\tif requested to identify himself or herself by the person the subject of the exercise of the power—\n\t(i)\tproduce his or her police identification; or\n\t(ii)\tstate orally or in writing his or her surname, rank and identification number; and\n\t(b)\tif the person seeks an explanation of the reason for the exercise of the power—inform the person that the power is exercised under a special powers authorisation or special area declaration (as the case requires) under this Act.\n\t(2)\tThe Commissioner of Police is to arrange for a written statement to be provided, on written request made within 12 months of the search, to a person who was searched, or whose vehicle or premises were searched, under this Act stating that the search was conducted under this Act.\n22—Return of seized things\n\t(1)\tIf—\n\t(a)\ta police officer has seized a thing in the exercise of a power under this Act; and\n\t(b)\tthe police officer is satisfied that—\n\t(i)\tits retention as evidence is not required; and\n\t(ii)\tit is lawful for the person to have possession of it,\nthe police officer must, as soon as reasonably practicable, return it to the owner or person who had lawful possession before it was seized.\n\t(2)\tThis section is subject to any order made under section 23.\n23—Disposal of property on application to court\n\t(1)\tA court may, on application by any person, make an order that property seized by a police officer exercising a power under this Act—\n\t(a)\tbe delivered to the person who appears to be lawfully entitled to the property; or\n\t(b)\tif that person cannot be ascertained, be dealt with as the court thinks fit.\n\t(2)\tIn determining an application, the court may do any 1 or more of the following:\n\t(a)\tadjust rights to property as between people who appear to be lawfully entitled to the same property or the same or different parts of property;\n\t(b)\tmake a finding or order as to the ownership and delivery of property;\n\t(c)\tmake a finding or order as to the liability for and payment of expenses incurred in keeping property in police custody;\n\t(d)\torder, if the person who is lawfully entitled to the property cannot be ascertained, that the property be forfeited to the State;\n\t(e)\tmake incidental or ancillary orders.\n\t(3)\tProperty ordered to be forfeited to the State—\n\t(a)\tin the case of money—is to be paid to the Treasurer for payment into the Consolidated Account; or\n\t(b)\tin any other case—may be sold by or on behalf of the Commissioner of Police at public auction and the proceeds of sale paid to the Treasurer for payment into the Consolidated Account.\n\t(4)\tIf the property is not money or is not fit or suitable for sale, or fails to sell at public auction, it is to be disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Commissioner of Police.\n24—Protection of police acting in execution of authorisation\nIf proceedings (including criminal proceedings) are brought against a police officer for anything done or purportedly done by the police officer under this Act, the police officer is not to be convicted or held liable merely because—\n\t(a)\tthere was an irregularity or defect in the issuing of a special powers authorisation or special area declaration; or\n\t(b)\tthe person who issued a special powers authorisation or special area declaration lacked the power to do so.\n25—Other Acts do not limit powers and powers under other Acts not limited\n\t(1)\tNothing in any other Act limits the powers, or prevents a police officer from exercising powers, that the police officer has under this Act.\n\t(2)\tNothing in this Act limits the powers, or prevents a police officer from exercising powers, that the police officer has under any other Act or at common law.\n26—Authorisation or declaration not open to challenge\n\t(1)\tA special powers authorisation or special area declaration may not be challenged, reviewed, quashed or called into question on any grounds whatsoever before any court, tribunal, body or person in any legal proceedings, or restrained, removed or otherwise affected by proceedings in the nature of prohibition or mandamus.\n\t(2)\tHowever, subsection (1) does not prevent a special powers authorisation or special area declaration being called into question in proceedings under the Police (Complaints and Disciplinary Proceedings) Act 1985.\n27—Evidentiary provision\nIn any legal proceedings, an apparently genuine document purporting to be a certificate of the Commissioner of Police and to certify that—\n\t(a)\ta special powers authorisation or special area declaration was issued under this Act in the terms specified in the certificate and was in operation between specified days and times; or\n\t(b)\ta specified person was, between specified days and times, a member of the Australian Federal Police or a member of the police force of another State or a Territory of the Commonwealth, appointed under this Act as a recognised law enforcement officer,\nconstitutes proof, in the absence of proof to the contrary, of the matters stated in the document.\nPart 2A—Terrorist act declarations\n27A—Declaration\n\t(1)\tIf the Commissioner of Police is satisfied that—\n\t(a)\tan incident to which police officers are responding is, or is likely to be, a terrorist act; and\n\t(b)\tplanned and coordinated police action is required to defend any persons threatened by that act or to prevent or terminate their unlawful deprivation of liberty,\nthe Commissioner may make a terrorist act declaration in respect of the incident.\n\t(2)\tA terrorist act declaration made in respect of an incident applies to each location at which police officers are responding to the incident.\n\t(3)\tThe Commissioner of Police is to notify the police officer in charge of the police officers responding to the incident that a terrorist act declaration has been made.\n\t(4)\tBefore, or as soon as practicable after, a terrorist act declaration is made, the Commissioner of Police is to notify the Police Minister of the declaration.\n\t(5)\tThe Deputy Commissioner of Police may make and notify a terrorist act declaration on behalf of the Commissioner of Police if satisfied that the Commissioner is not able to be contacted when a declaration is sought as a matter of urgency.\n\t(6)\tA terrorist act declaration may be made under this Part orally or by instrument in writing (but if the declaration is made orally, it must be confirmed by instrument in writing as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so).\n\t(7)\tThe Commissioner of Police may at any time revoke a terrorist act declaration, and must do so if no further police response is required in respect of the incident.\n\t(8)\tThe Commissioner of Police or the Deputy Commissioner of Police may revoke a terrorist act declaration made by the Deputy Commissioner of Police on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.\n27B—Use of force in relation to declared terrorist act\n\t(1)\tA police officer does not incur any criminal liability for authorising, directing or using force (including lethal force) that is reasonably necessary, in the circumstances as the police officer perceives them, to defend any persons threatened by an incident that is the subject of a terrorist act declaration or to prevent or terminate their unlawful deprivation of liberty.\n\t(2)\tSubsection (1) does not apply to an action of a police officer—\n\t(a)\tthat was in contravention of an order of the police officer in charge of the police officers responding to the incident; or\n\t(b)\tthat was not in good faith.\n\t(3)\tIf a terrorist act declaration is revoked, this section continues to apply to any action taken by a police officer before the earlier of the following:\n\t(a)\twhen the police officer became aware of the revocation of the declaration;\n\t(b)\twhen the police officer, acting reasonably, ought to have been aware of the revocation of the declaration.\n\t(4)\tIf a court finds that a purported terrorist act declaration was not validly made, this section continues to apply to any action taken by a police officer before the finding as if it were a valid declaration.\n\t(5)\tThis Part does not limit the powers of police officers to deal with a terrorist act, and police officers may exercise those powers whether or not the Commissioner of Police has been requested or has declined to make a terrorist act declaration in relation to the terrorist act.\n27C—Identity of police officers not to be revealed in court or published\n\t(1)\tIf, in any proceedings in a court, a person is to give evidence (including evidence admitted in the form of an audio visual record) that directly or indirectly identifies a person as a relevant police officer, the court must make an order requiring all persons to absent themselves from the place in which the evidence is to be given, while the evidence is being given, except the following:\n\t(a)\ta person whose presence is required for the purposes of the proceedings;\n\t(b)\ta person who is present at the request or with the consent of the relevant police officer;\n\t(c)\ta person who, in the opinion of the court, should be allowed to be present.\n\t(2)\tThe court may, on the application of a person against whom an order under subsection (1) operates, make available to the person a transcript of evidence, and a record of proceedings, taken during the operation of the order.\n\t(3)\tIf a court refuses an application under subsection (2), the applicant may appeal against the refusal to the Supreme Court.\n\t(4)\tSubject to this section, a person must not publish any statement or representation—\n\t(a)\tby which the identity of a relevant police officer is revealed; or\n\t(b)\tfrom which the identity of a relevant police officer might reasonably be inferred,\nunless the relevant police officer consents to the publication.\nMaximum penalty: \n\t(a)\tin the case of a natural person—$10 000;\n\t(b)\tin the case of a body corporate—$120 000.\n\t(5)\tIf a relevant police officer has not consented to the publication of material under subsection (4), the Supreme Court may, on application, make an order (a publication order) that the restriction on publication under that subsection be varied or removed altogether, if satisfied that to do so—\n\t(a)\tmay assist in the investigation of an offence; or\n\t(b)\tis otherwise in the public interest.\n\t(6)\tA publication order may be subject to such exceptions and conditions as the Court thinks fit and specifies in the order.\n\t(7)\tAn application for a publication order may be made, with the permission of the Court, by any person who has, in the opinion of the Court, a proper interest in the question of whether an order should be made.\n\t(8)\tIf the Court permits an application for a publication order to be made, any of the following persons may make submissions to the Court on the application and, with the permission of the Court, call or give evidence in support of those submissions:\n\t(a)\tthe applicant for the publication order;\n\t(b)\tthe relevant police officer;\n\t(c)\tthe Commissioner of Police;\n\t(d)\ta party to any proceedings in which the order is sought;\n\t(e)\ta representative of a newspaper or a radio or television station;\n\t(f)\tany other person who has, in the opinion of the Court, a proper interest in the question of whether an order should be made.\n\t(9)\tA publication order may be varied or revoked by the Supreme Court on the application of any of the persons entitled to make submissions by virtue of subsection (8).\n\t(10)\tOn an application for the making, variation or revocation of a publication order—\n\t(a)\ta matter of fact is sufficiently proved if proved on the balance of probabilities; and\n\t(b)\tif there appears to be no serious dispute as to a particular matter of fact, the Court (having regard to the desirability of dealing expeditiously with the application) may—\n\t(i)\tdispense with the taking of evidence on that matter; and\n\t(ii)\taccept the relevant fact as proved.\n\t(11)\tThis section has effect despite any other Act or law.\n\t(12)\tIn this section—\npublish includes any means by which material is communicated to the public;\nrelevant police officer means a police officer who has taken police action to which section 27B(1) applies (and includes a person who was formerly a relevant police officer).\nPart 3—Miscellaneous\n28—Report to be given to Attorney-General and Police Minister\n\t(1)\tAs soon as practicable after a special powers authorisation ceases to operate, the Commissioner of Police is to provide a report to the Attorney-General and the Police Minister—\n\t(a)\tsetting out the terms of the authorisation and the period during which it operated; and\n\t(b)\tidentifying as far as reasonably practicable the matters that were relied on for issuing the authorisation; and\n\t(c)\tdescribing generally the powers exercised under the authorisation and the manner in which they were exercised; and\n\t(d)\tstating the result of the exercise of those powers; and\n\t(e)\tdescribing generally any inconvenience to, or adverse impact on, the community, sections of the community, businesses and individuals (other than individuals who were targets of the authorisation) arising out of the exercise of those powers.\n\t(2)\tIf a special powers authorisation is issued so as to extend the period of operation of a special powers authorisation previously issued in relation to the same terrorist act, this section is to apply as if the series of authorisations were a single authorisation.\n\t(3)\tThe Attorney-General must, within 14 sitting days or 3 months after receiving a report, whichever is the shorter period, lay a copy of the report before both Houses of Parliament.\n\t(4)\tBefore the Attorney-General lays a copy of the report before both Houses of Parliament, the report may be edited to exclude material that, in the opinion of the Attorney-General, may be subject to privilege or public interest immunity.\n29—Regulations\nThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by, or necessary or expedient for the purposes of, this Act.\n30—Review of Act\n\t(1)\tThe Minister must cause the operation of this Act to be reviewed as soon as is practicable after—\n\t(a)\tthe second anniversary of the commencement of this Act; and\n\t(b)\tthe fifth anniversary of the commencement of this Act; and\n\t(c)\tthe twelfth anniversary of the commencement of this Act; and\n\t(d)\tthe fourteenth anniversary of the commencement of this Act; and\n\t(e)\tthe sixteenth anniversary of the commencement of this Act; and\n\t(f)\tthe eighteenth anniversary of the commencement of this Act.\n\t(1a)\tThe Minister must, within the 4 month period preceding the expiry of this Act, cause the operation of this Act to be finally reviewed.\n\t(2)\tThe purpose of a review is to produce a report on the extent to which the exercise of powers under this Act has contributed to preventing and investigating terrorism.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must, within 12 sitting days after receiving a report, cause a copy of the report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.\n31—Expiry of Act\nThis Act expires on the thirtieth anniversary of its commencement.\nSchedule 1—Conduct of personal searches\n1—Interpretation\n\t(1)\tIn this Schedule—\nelectronic metal detection device means an electronic device that is capable of detecting the presence of metallic objects;\nmedical practitioner or nurse means a person who is registered under the law of this State as a medical practitioner or nurse;\nstrip search means an examination of a person's body after the removal of inner clothing or underwear or an article of inner clothing or underwear.\n\t(2)\tThe gender of a person searched will be taken to be the gender that the person outwardly appears to the police officer conducting the search to be, but if the person states that he or she is of a particular gender, then the gender of the person will be taken to be that stated.\n2—Action that may or may not be taken in conducting search\n\t(1)\tIn conducting a search of a person or things in the possession of or under the control of a person, a police officer may—\n\t(a)\tremove, or require the person to remove, the person's outer clothing (for example, a coat or jacket), footwear, gloves or headwear; and\n\t(b)\tremove, or require the person to hand over, anything in the person's possession or control that can be conveniently handed over or removed (other than an article of inner clothing or underwear worn by the person); and\n\t(c)\tsearch the person by quickly running the hands over the person's outer or inner clothing or by passing an electronic metal detection device over or in close proximity to the person's outer or inner clothing; and\n\t(d)\tsearch anything handed over or removed under this clause or found in the course of the search.\n\t(2)\tA police officer may conduct a strip search of a person but only if the officer suspects on reasonable grounds that—\n\t(a)\tthe person is the target of an authorisation; and\n\t(b)\tit is necessary to conduct the strip search; and\n\t(c)\tthe seriousness and urgency of the circumstances require the strip search to be conducted.\n\t(3)\tA police officer may search inner clothing and underwear removed for the purposes of a strip search.\n\t(4)\tA police officer conducting a strip search is not entitled to examine the person's body by touch.\n\t(5)\tA police officer conducting a search of a person is not entitled to introduce anything into an orifice (including the mouth) of the person's body.\n\t(6)\tA police officer conducting a search of a person, or things in the possession of or under the control of a person, may require the person to do anything reasonable to facilitate the search, including accompanying the officer to a place for the purposes of conducting a strip search.\n3—Rules for conduct of searches\n\t(1)\tThe following rules must be complied with, as far as is reasonably practicable, in the conduct of a search of a person or things in the possession of or under the control of a person:\n\t(a)\tthe cooperation of the person must be sought;\n\t(b)\tif the person seeks an explanation of the reasons for the search being conducted in a particular manner, an explanation must be offered;\n\t(c)\tthe intrusion on the person's privacy must be no more than is necessary to fulfil the purpose of the search;\n\t(d)\tthe search must be conducted as quickly as is reasonably practicable;\n\t(e)\tthe search, if a search of the person, must be conducted by a person of the same gender as the person (unless the search is conducted by a medical practitioner or nurse and the person consents to it being conducted by a medical practitioner or nurse not of the same gender);\n\t(f)\tif the search involves the removal of clothing or footwear, the person must be allowed to replace the clothing or footwear as soon as the search is finished;\n\t(g)\tif clothing or footwear is seized because of the search and the person is left without adequate clothing or footwear, the person must be offered adequate replacements;\n\t(h)\tthe search must not be conducted while the person is being interviewed or is participating in an investigation, but the interview or investigation may be suspended while the search is conducted.\n\t(2)\tThe following additional rules must be complied with, as far as is reasonably practicable, in the conduct of a strip search:\n\t(a)\tthe search must be conducted in a place that provides reasonable privacy for the person searched;\n\t(b)\tthe search must not involve removal of more articles being worn by the person than is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the search;\n\t(c)\tthe search must not involve more visual inspection of the person's body than is reasonably necessary for the purposes of the search and, in particular, visual inspection of the breasts of a female, the genital area, anal area and buttocks must be kept to a minimum;\n\t(d)\tthe search must not be conducted in the presence or view of—\n\t(i)\ta person who is not of the same gender as the person being searched; or\n\t(ii)\ta person whose presence is not necessary for the purposes of the search or the safety of all present,\nexcept as follows:\n\t(iii)\ta search may be conducted in the presence of a medical practitioner or nurse not of the same gender if the person consents;\n\t(iv)\ta search of a person who is under 18 years of age or has a mental or intellectual disability must be conducted in the presence of a parent or guardian of the person or of another person (other than a police officer) who can provide the person with support and represent the person's interests;\n\t(v)\ta search of a person other than a person who is under 18 years of age or has a mental or intellectual disability may, if the person so requests, be conducted in the presence of a person (other than a police officer) who can provide the person with support and represent the person's interests;\n\t(e)\tthe search must be recorded on videotape unless it is not reasonably practicable to do so due to mechanical failure of recording equipment or the lack of availability of recording equipment within the period for which it would be lawful to detain the person.\n4—Regulations\nA search must be conducted in accordance with any other requirements imposed by regulation.\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nExpiry of Act\nThe Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005 will expire on 8.12.2035: see s 31.\nLegislation amended by principal Act\nThe Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005 amended the following:\nEmergency Management Act 2004\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n2005\n70\n Terrorism (Police Powers) Act 2005\n8.12.2005\n8.12.2005\n2015\n33\n Statutes Amendment (Terrorism) Act 2015\n5.11.2015\nPt 2 (ss 3 & 4)—5.11.2015\n2018\n22\n Terrorism (Police Powers) (Use of Force) Amendment Act 2018\n1.11.2018\n1.11.2018\n2025\n55\nStatutes Amendment (Attorney-General's Portfolio) Act 2025\n20.11.2025\nPt 8 (s 10)—20.11.2025: s 2\nProvisions amended\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nLong title\namended under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n5.11.2015\nPt 1\n\n\ns 2\n\n\ns 2(1)\n\n\nDeputy Commissioner of Police\ninserted by 22/2018 s 3(1)\n1.11.2018\nterrorist act declaration\ninserted by 22/2018 s 3(2)\n1.11.2018\nPt 2A\ninserted by 22/2018 s 4\n1.11.2018\nPt 3\n\n\ns 30\n\n\ns 30(1)\namended by 33/2015 s 3(1)\n5.11.2015\ns 30(1a)\ninserted by 33/2015 s 3(2)\n5.11.2015\ns 31\namended by 33/2015 s 4\n5.11.2015\n\namended by 55/2025 s 10\n20.11.2025\nSch 2\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n5.11.2015\nHistorical versions\n5.11.2015\n\n1.11.2018\n\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This version has materially broadened and diversified the operational mechanisms available to police since the original 2005 framework. Notable scope changes include: (a) addition of Part 2A (ss 27A–27C) creating a standalone terrorist act declaration power that can be made rapidly by the Commissioner or Deputy and that expressly immunises police from criminal liability for use of force in certain circumstances (s 27B) and restricts publication of police identities (s 27C); (b) expanded delegation and role definitions (eg, Deputy Commissioner inserted in s 2 and empowered in s 27A(5)); (c) structuring of non‑reviewability (s 26) and evidentiary streamlining (s 27) which reduce judicial oversight compared with an original model that relied more heavily on pre‑authorisation checks; and (d) amendments to review and expiry timing (ss 30–31) introduced in later amendments. These additions increase police operational discretion in urgent incidents, add legal protections for police actions and impose new procedural limits on public disclosure — changes that go beyond merely clarifying or tightening existing search powers and thus amount to a significant expansion and reconfiguration of the Act's practical scope."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple decision tiers and delegation: Commissioner, Deputy, Assistant Commissioner, and senior officers may issue authorisations (s 3(3)); Deputy can act for Commissioner in Part 2A (s 27A(5)).","Two distinct authorisation regimes plus a separate \"terrorist act declaration\" regime (Parts 2 and 2A) with different oversight and operational rules.","Number of defined terms and cross‑references in the interpretation section (s 2 defines ~20 key terms including 'special powers authorisation', 'special area', 'terrorist act' with cross‑reference to Commonwealth Criminal Code).","Layered oversight and exception logic: ordinary requirement for Police Minister and judicial confirmation (s 3(5)) vs. urgent retrospective confirmation (s 3(6)); different confirmation rules for special area declarations (s 13(3)).","Multiple time limits and extension caps on authorisations (s 4) creating nested temporal conditions.","Non‑reviewability clause preventing judicial challenge of authorisations/declarations (s 26) but permitting disciplinary review (s 26(2)), producing a substantive legal exception.","Detailed operational constraints and safeguards (Schedule 1) with gender rules, recording requirements and strip‑search conditions adding procedural complexity.","Cross‑references to other legislation and common law (eg, Summary Offences Act s 81 applied to videotape recordings under Schedule 1(3); definition of 'terrorist act' refers to Commonwealth Criminal Code).","Evidentiary certificate mechanism that creates a rebuttable presumption in court (s 27), shifting evidentiary burdens.","Publication restrictions and a court‑administered publication‑order process with special standards and participants (s 27C)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does (mechanics)\n\n- Gives police special, time‑limited powers to stop, search, detain and cordon areas, and to seize property when those powers are authorised to prevent or investigate a terrorist act (Part 2: ss 3–16).\n- Allows the Commissioner (or delegated senior officers) to declare particular sites as \"special areas\" where routine baggage and item searches may be conducted (Part 2 Div 3: s 13–14).\n- Creates a separate mechanism (a \"terrorist act declaration\") that the Commissioner (or Deputy Commissioner in urgent cases) can make quickly when police are responding to an incident; that declaration covers locations where police are operating and triggers particular protections for police use of force and anonymity rules (Part 2A: ss 27A–27C).\n- Sets procedural limits and formalities: who may issue authorisations, how long they run, when they must be confirmed by the Police Minister and a Judge, and when they may be issued urgently without prior confirmation (ss 3–6). Authorisations have strict maximum durations and may be extended only to fixed overall maxima (s 4).\n- Places reporting duties on the Commissioner after an authorisation ends and requires periodic statutory reviews of the Act; the Act itself is time‑limited and expires on a scheduled date (ss 28, 30–31).\n- Restricts judicial review of authorisations and special area declarations (s 26) but allows internal police complaints processes to be used. The Act also contains an evidentiary certificate provision to simplify proof that an authorisation/declaration was in force (s 27).\n\n\nWho decides, who pays, and what changes in behaviour\n\n- Who decides: Senior police (Commissioner, Deputy, or delegated senior officers) initiate authorisations or declarations (s 3, s 27A). The Police Minister and a relevant judicial officer must normally confirm special powers authorisations and special area declarations (s 3(5), s 13(3)). In urgent cases police may act first and seek retrospective confirmation (s 3(4)–(6)). The Supreme Court can vary publication restrictions (s 27C(5)).\n- Who pays: The State funds police operations and any lawful retention, storage or disposal of seized property; individuals and businesses bear the immediate compliance costs (being stopped/searched, temporary detention, possible property disruption). Courts and administrative bodies incur handling costs for reports, confirmation requests and any publication‑order applications. Where property is forfeited the proceeds go to the State (s 23).\n- Behaviour changes the law incentivises: Police can act more quickly and with broader search and seizure authority in declared emergencies or areas (ss 3, 13, 14). Members of the public and businesses in targeted areas will face higher likelihood of being stopped, searched or temporarily excluded (ss 8–12). The law also reduces risk of criminal exposure for police using force under a terrorist act declaration, which may influence tactical decisions (s 27B).\n\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and practical trade‑offs)\n\n- The stated purpose is to allow police to prevent or investigate terrorist acts by granting particular operational powers and a rapid declaration tool for active incidents (see ss 3 and 27A). That aim is operational: faster, broader police measures in time‑sensitive situations.\n- Trade‑offs and implementation risks:\n  - Speed versus oversight: ordinary special powers authorisations require both ministerial and judicial confirmation (s 3(5)), but urgent authorisations may be issued immediately and confirmed later; terrorist act declarations may be made by the Commissioner or Deputy without prior judicial confirmation (s 27A). This shifts decision authority toward police in urgent circumstances and reduces prior judicial oversight.\n  - Legal finality versus reviewability: the Act bars judicial challenge of an authorisation or declaration (s 26(1)), which reduces court oversight of the lawfulness of the decision. The Act does permit disciplinary review processes to be used instead (s 26(2)).\n  - Individual liberty and privacy costs: the public faces compulsory identity checks, stops, searches (including strip searches in tightly defined circumstances: Schedule 1) and temporary detentions (ss 8–11; Schedule 1). Failure to comply is a criminal offence with fines or imprisonment (s 18).\n  - Police discretion and protections: the Act gives police broad powers to use reasonable force (s 16) and, for declared incidents, immunity from criminal liability for use of necessary force perceived as reasonable (s 27B). It also protects identities of police involved in declared incidents from publication except by court order (s 27C).\n  - Administrative burdens: police must report to ministers after authorisations (s 28); the Attorney‑General must table those reports in Parliament (s 28(3)); there is a prescribed review timetable for the Act itself (s 30).\n\n\nConcrete constraints and safeguards in the text\n\n- Time limits on authorisations (preventative: max 7 days, extendable to 14; investigative: 24 hours, extendable to 48) and requirement to describe scope and targets; area targets must be no larger than reasonably necessary (s 4, s 5(3)).\n- Requirement as far as reasonably practicable to avoid unnecessary physical harm, humiliation, or offending cultural/religious beliefs during exercises of power (s 17).\n- Detailed rules on how searches and strip searches must be conducted, recorded and by whom (Schedule 1).\n- Reporting, review and expiry clauses to create parliamentary visibility and periodic statutory reassessment (ss 28, 30–31).\n\n\nWhat to watch for in practice (implementation, incentives, and likely effects)\n\n- Concentrated decision power in police command during urgent incidents (ss 3(6), 27A) increases operational speed but reduces immediate external oversight.\n- Non‑reviewability (s 26) lowers the prospect of judicially testing whether an authorisation was lawful; this may increase reliance on post‑operation reporting and internal complaint processes as checks.\n- The combination of immunity for police actions in declared incidents (s 27B), anonymity protections (s 27C) and evidentiary certificates (s 27) reduces litigation risk for police and may shorten post‑incident legal exposure, while shifting evidentiary burdens for affected persons.\n- Practical burdens fall on the public in declared areas: stops, searches, temporary detentions and constrained movement (ss 8–12, 14). Businesses and event organisers in \"special areas\" may experience disruptions when declarations are used (s 13, s 28(1)(e)).\n\n\nKey sections referenced: special powers authorisations (ss 3–6), powers exercised under authorisation (ss 7–16), special areas and baggage searches (ss 13–14), non‑reviewability (s 26), terrorist act declarations and use of force and anonymity rules (ss 27A–27C), reporting and review (ss 28, 30–31), conduct of searches (Schedule 1)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2005 Act focused on preventative and investigative authorisations with warrantless search powers. The 2018 amendments (Part 2A) significantly expanded scope to include: (1) formal 'terrorist act declarations' creating specific legal immunity for use of lethal force; (2) comprehensive identity suppression regimes for officers involved in counter-terrorism operations; and (3) procedural frameworks for court-ordered publication bans. The 2015 amendments also added a final review requirement before expiry. The Act has evolved from a search-and-detention framework to include active shooter/terrorist incident response protocols and media suppression mechanisms."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple nested authorisation types (preventative vs investigative) with different time limits and extension rules","Hierarchical fallback system for issuing authorities (Commissioner → Deputy → Assistant Commissioner → Superintendent)","Dual confirmation requirement (Police Minister + judicial officer) with urgent circumvention provisions that trigger automatic cessation if confirmation refused","Cross-references to Commonwealth Criminal Code for 'terrorist act' definition, with explicit exclusion of threats","Schedule 1 contains detailed procedural rules for searches including gender protocols, strip search conditions, and videotaping requirements","Part 2A (2018 insertion) creates complex liability shield for use of force with multiple conditions and temporal cut-offs","Section 26 contains a broad ouster clause preventing judicial review of authorisations, with narrow exception for police complaints proceedings","Multiple evidentiary presumptions and certificate-based proof mechanisms","Sunset clause with specific review timetable (2nd, 5th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th anniversaries plus final review)","Interaction clauses (sections 24-25) protecting officers from liability for defective authorisations and preserving other statutory powers"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this law does:**\n\nThis South Australian law gives police extraordinary powers to prevent and investigate terrorist acts. It creates a special framework that operates outside normal policing rules when there's a threat of terrorism.\n\n**Key features:**\n\n- **Special powers authorisations**: Senior police can issue two types of emergency orders:\n  - *Preventative authorisations* (up to 7 days, extendable to 14 days) when a terrorist act is believed to be imminent\n  - *Investigative authorisations* (up to 24 hours, extendable to 48 hours) when a terrorist act has occurred or is occurring\n\n- **Who can issue them**: Normally the Commissioner of Police, but if unavailable, the Deputy Commissioner, an Assistant Commissioner, or even a superintendent can step in. These require confirmation from both the Police Minister and a judge — though in urgent cases, police can act first and get approval afterwards.\n\n- **What powers police get**: Once an authorisation is active, police can:\n  - Stop and search people, vehicles, and premises without a warrant\n  - Demand proof of identity\n  - Set up cordons and roadblocks\n  - Seize anything they suspect might be evidence\n  - Use \"reasonable force\" including breaking into buildings or vehicles\n  - Conduct strip searches (under strict conditions in Schedule 1)\n\n- **Special areas**: The Commissioner can declare airports, train stations, major events, or crowded public places as \"special areas\" where police can search anyone's baggage without individual suspicion.\n\n- **Terrorist act declarations** (Part 2A): Added in 2018, this allows the Commissioner to formally declare an incident as terrorism, which protects officers from criminal liability for using lethal force if it's \"reasonably necessary\" to save lives — provided they act in good faith and follow orders.\n\n- **Secrecy protections**: Officers involved in terrorist act declarations can have their identities hidden from court proceedings and media publication.\n\n**Important safeguards:**\n- Powers must be exercised with care to avoid unnecessary harm, humiliation, or offence to cultural/religious beliefs\n- Police must identify themselves when requested\n- Detailed reports must be made to Parliament after each authorisation\n- The entire Act automatically expires in 2035 (30 years after it started)\n\n**Who it affects:**\nPrimarily South Australian police, but also anyone in the state during a terrorism threat or major event. It also recognises federal police and officers from other states as \"recognised law enforcement officers\" who can exercise these powers.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law represents a significant departure from normal civil liberties. It allows warrantless searches, creates offences for failing to comply with police directions, and shields officers from legal challenge even if authorisations are technically flawed. The 2018 amendments specifically addressed the legal position of police using lethal force in terrorist incidents — a response to evolving threats like lone-wolf attacks."},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed — no legislative text was available for analysis. The Act title suggests a focused scope (police powers in terrorism contexts), but amendments or expansions over time cannot be evaluated without access to the current version of the legislation."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative text was retrievable — the source URL returned a 404 Page Not Found error","Analysis is based solely on the Act's title, not its actual provisions","Complexity of the underlying Act cannot be assessed without content","The SA legislation website underwent a structural update in March 2026, breaking older hyperlinks"],"plain_english_summary":"This South Australian 2005 law—from its title—concerns police powers in the terrorism context and likely grants expanded capacity to stop, search, detain and question people suspected of terrorism. It would principally affect members of the public, persons subject to suspicion, and civil liberties (e.g., movement and silence). This summary is based on the title only and cannot be verified; consult the Act or a lawyer for the exact text."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/terrorism-police-powers-act-2005","history":"/api/acts/terrorism-police-powers-act-2005/history","analysis":"/api/acts/terrorism-police-powers-act-2005/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/terrorism-police-powers-act-2005/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/terrorism-police-powers-act-2005/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/terrorism-police-powers-act-2005/documents"}}