89Confidentiality of certain information

89 Confidentiality of certain information

89 Confidentiality of certain information

(1) In this section—

confidential information means—

(a) any information contained in, or acquired from, the Register, or

(b) any other information obtained in connection with the enforcement or administration of this Act or the regulations.

Note.

Examples of information obtained in connection with the enforcement or administration of this Act include information relating to identification of companion animals and their owners that is collected by authorised identifiers such as veterinary practitioners, and information gathered by authorised officers in the course of their enforcement functions.

(2) A person must not—

(a) access or attempt to access confidential information, or

(b) allow a person to have access to confidential information, or

(c) directly or indirectly make a record of confidential information, or

(d) directly or indirectly disclose or pass confidential information to any person, or

(e) use confidential information, or

(f) alter, delete, destroy or interfere with any record comprising confidential information, or

(g) make any entry in the Register.

Maximum penalty—

(a) 25 penalty units except in the case of confidential information that is suppressed, or

(b) 100 penalty units in the case of confidential information that is suppressed.

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), confidential information is suppressed if—

(a) the information contains the personal details of a person who is the owner of a companion animal, and

(b) the information is entered in the Register, and

(c) the person has requested the Departmental Chief Executive to keep the information confidential, and

(d) the Departmental Chief Executive is satisfied that the request is made because the person is concerned that disclosure of the information could jeopardise the safety of the person or any member of the person’s family, and