32Waiver etc.

32 Waiver etc.

(1) Subject to this section, the Secretary may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, decide in writing: (a) to write off an amount payable to the Commonwealth by a person under section 31; or (b) to waive the right of the Commonwealth to recover from a person the whole or part of such an amount; or (c) to allow such an amount to be paid by such instalments as are specified in the decision. (2) The Secretary may make a decision under subsection (1) on his or her own initiative or on written application by the person concerned. (3) The Secretary must not make a decision under paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) on the application of a person unless satisfied that a refusal of the application would cause the person, or the person’s family, unreasonable financial hardship. (4) A decision under subsection (1) takes effect: (a) on the day specified in the decision, being the day on which the decision is made or any day before or after that day; or (b) if no day is so specified—on the day on which the decision is made. (5) In this section:

person does not include the Bank.