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Defence Act 1903
72Power to seize things on defence premises
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72 Power to seize things on defence premises
(1) A special defence security official may seize a thing (including a vehicle, vessel or aircraft or an unattended thing) on defence premises, or a thing found as a result of a search (including a limited search) under this Part, if the official believes on reasonable grounds that the thing may:
(a) constitute a threat to the safety of a person on the defence premises; or
(b) relate to a criminal offence committed, or that may be committed, on or in relation to the defence premises.
(2) If a special defence security official seizes a thing under subsection (1):
(a) a security authorised member of the Defence Force may take such action as is reasonable and necessary to make the thing safe or prevent the thing being used; and
(b) if the official seized the thing from a person—a special defence security official must, if it is practicable to do so, give the person a receipt for the thing; and
(c) if the official believes on reasonable grounds that the thing has been used or otherwise involved in the commission of a criminal offence—a special defence security official must give the thing to a member or special member of the Australian Federal Police or a member of the police force of a State or Territory at the earliest practicable time; and
(d) if paragraph (c) does not apply:
(i) if the official seized the thing from a person and it is practicable to do so—a special defence security official must return the thing to the person within 7 days; or
(ii) otherwise—a special defence security official must give it to a member or special member of the Australian Federal Police or a member of the police force of a State or Territory at the earliest practicable time.
Division 6—Matters relating to exercise of powers under Part