55Offences

55 Offences

(1) A person must not fail: (a) to attend before an authorised officer; or (b) to take an oath or make an affirmation; or (c) to answer a question or produce an account or other document; when so required under this Act.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

(2) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3), see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

(3A) A person must not refuse: (a) to attend before an authorised officer; or (b) to take an oath or make an affirmation; or (c) to answer a question or produce an account or other document; when so required under this Act.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

(3B) Subsection (3A) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3B), see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code.

(4) A person must not be convicted of: (a) both an offence against section 135.2 of the Criminal Code and an offence against or arising out of subsection 30(2) of this Act; or (b) both an offence against section 135.2 of the Criminal Code and an offence against section 136.1, 137.1 or 137.2 of the Criminal Code; in respect of the same claim for bounty. (5) A reference in subsection (4) to a person being convicted of an offence includes a reference to an order being made under section 19B of the Crimes Act 1914 in relation to the person in respect of an offence.