172APower of AUSTRAC CEO to obtain information and documents

172A  Power of AUSTRAC CEO to obtain information and documents

 (1) This section applies if the AUSTRAC CEO believes on reasonable grounds that a person has information or a document that is relevant to:

 (a) compliance with this Act, the regulations or the AML/CTF Rules; or

 (b) an offence against the Crimes Act 1914 or the Criminal Code that relates to this Act, the regulations or the AML/CTF Rules.

 (2) The AUSTRAC CEO may, by written notice given to the person, require the person:

 (a) to produce to the AUSTRAC CEO, within the period and in the manner specified in the notice, any such documents; or

 (b) to appear before an examiner at the time and place specified in the notice:

 (i) for examination under this Division, on oath or affirmation and to answer questions; and

 (ii) to produce any such documents.

 (3) The notice must:

 (a) if paragraph (2)(b) applies—state the general nature of the matter to which the questions will relate; and

 (b) in any case set out the effect of subsections (4) and 172F(1).

 (4) A person commits an offence if the person intentionally or recklessly fails to comply with a notice under subsection (2).

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years or 100 penalty units, or both.