504Warrants

504 Warrants

504 Warrants

(1) An inspector may apply to the designated authority for a warrant to enter a place.

(2) The application must be sworn and state the grounds on which the warrant is sought.

(3) The designated authority may refuse to consider the application until the inspector gives the designated authority all the information the designated authority requires about the application in the way the designated authority requires.

Note—

The designated authority may, for example, require additional information supporting the application to be given by statutory declaration.

(4) The designated authority may issue the warrant only if satisfied there are reasonable grounds for suspecting—

(a) the affairs or activities of a co-operative are being managed or conducted at the place; or

(b) there are relevant documents at the place; or

(c) there is a particular thing or activity (the evidence) that may provide evidence of an offence against this Law; or

(d) the evidence is at the place, or may be at the place, within the next 7 days.

(5) The warrant must state—

(a) that the inspector may, with reasonable and necessary help and force, enter the place and exercise the inspector’s powers under this Law; and

(b) the suspected offence (if any) for which the warrant was issued; and

(c) any evidence that may be seized under the warrant; and

(d) the hours when the place may be entered; and

(e) the date, within 7 days after the warrant’s issue, when the warrant ends.

(6) A police officer may accompany an inspector executing a warrant issued under this section and may take all reasonable steps to assist in the exercise of the functions of the inspector under this Law.