23Absence from duty

23  Absence from duty  (1) A defence member commits an offence if the member:  (a) is required to attend for duty; and  (b) does not attend for the duty.  (2) A defence member commits an offence if the member:  (a) is required to perform a duty; and  (b) ceases to perform the duty before he or she is permitted to do so.  (3) An offence under this section is an offence of strict liability.  (4) It is a defence to a charge under this section if the person proves that he or she had a reasonable excuse for engaging in the relevant conduct. Note: The defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (4). See section 13.4 of the Criminal Code.