177HSearch warrants

177H Search warrants

177H Search warrants

(1) The Secretary may apply to an issuing officer for a search warrant.

(2) The Secretary may make the application if the Secretary believes on reasonable grounds that—

(a) a duty under section 109 has been or is being breached at premises, or

(b) a matter or thing connected with a breach of a duty under section 109 is in or on premises.

(3) The issuing officer may issue the search warrant if satisfied there are reasonable grounds to do so.

(4) The search warrant may authorise the Secretary to—

(a) enter the premises, and

(b) exercise functions under this division.

(5) The Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002, Part 5, Division 4 applies to the search warrant.

(6) Without limiting the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002, section 71, a police officer may—

(a) accompany the Secretary when executing the search warrant, and

(b) take all reasonable steps to assist the Secretary in the exercise of the Secretary’s functions.

(7) In this section—

issuing officer means an authorised officer under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act 2002.

s 177H: Ins 2025 No 14, Sch 2[49].