96Proceedings for offences

96 Proceedings for offences S. 96(1) amended by Nos 61/1993 s. 36(i), 87/1994 s. 32, 76/1998 s. 3(1)(z), 69/2004 s. 57(2), 37/2014 s. 10(Sch. item 26.4), substituted by No. 19/2018 s. 81(1). (1) The following persons are authorised to take offence proceedings— (a) an authorised officer; (b) a police officer; (c) a person authorised generally or in a particular case by the Secretary; (d) the Victorian Plantations Corporation in relation to freehold land, managed land or vested land within the meaning of the **Victorian Plantations Corporation Act 1993**. S. 96(1A) inserted by No. 90/1989 s. 5(a), amended by No. 40/2020 s. 5.[[1]](#endnote-2) (1A) If offence proceedings are brought by a person authorised by that subsection to take those proceedings, the proceedings may be conducted before the court by any other person authorised by that subsection to take proceedings of that kind. S. 96(2) amended by Nos 90/1989 s. 5(b), 76/1998 s. 3(1)(z), 40/2020 s. 5.[[2]](#endnote-3) (2) All courts must take judicial notice of the fact that the Secretary, an authorised officer or person has valid authority to take offence proceedings or conduct proceedings under subsection (1A) as the case requires. S. 96(3) amended by Nos 38/1995 s. 12(c), 106/1995 s. 51(b), 19/2018 s. 81(4). (3) This section does not limit the operation of section 50 of the **Royal Botanic Gardens Act 1991** or section 40 of the **Zoological Parks and Gardens Act 1995**. S. 96(4) inserted by No. 19/2018 s. 81(5). (4) For the purposes of this section, ***offence proceedings*** means— (a) proceedings for an offence against a relevant law; or (b) proceedings for an associated offence within the meaning of the **Fisheries Act 1995**; or (c) other proceedings provided for in this Act; or (d) proceedings on behalf of the Department, the Secretary or Parks Victoria.