78Conduct of representative

78 Conduct of representative (1) This section applies to a prosecution for an offence against a declared provision of this Act. This section deals with prosecutions of individuals. Part IIAA, Division 5, of the Criminal Code contains provisions about corporate criminal responsibility. (2) Conduct engaged in by a representative of a person within the scope of the representative's actual or apparent approval is taken to have been also engaged in by the person. (3) However, subsection (2) does not apply if the person proves the person took reasonable steps to prevent the conduct. (4) In deciding whether the person took reasonable steps to prevent the conduct, a court must consider: (a) any action the person took to ensure the representative had a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the requirement to comply with the contravened provision; and (b) the level of management, control or supervision that was appropriate for the person to exercise over the representative. (5) Subsection (4) does not limit the matters the court may consider. (6) If it is relevant to prove a person had a fault element in relation to a physical element of an offence, it is enough to show: (a) the conduct relevant to the physical element was engaged in by a representative of the person within the scope of the representative's actual or apparent approval; and Environment Protection (Beverage Containers and Plastic Bags) Act 2011 51 (b) the representative had the fault element in relation to the physical element. (7) A person may rely on section 43AX of the Criminal Code in relation to conduct by a representative that would be an offence by the person only if: (a) the representative was under a mistaken but reasonable belief about the facts that, had they existed, would have meant that the conduct would not have constituted an offence; and (b) the person proves the person exercised due diligence to prevent the conduct. Note for subsection (7) Section 43AX of the Criminal Code provides a person is not criminally responsible if the person engaged in conduct under a mistake of fact in relation to an offence of strict liability. (8) A person (the defendant) may not rely on section 43BA of the Criminal Code in relation to a physical element of an offence brought about by another person if the other person is a representative of the defendant. Note for subsection (8) Section 43BA of the Criminal Code provides a person is not criminally responsible in circumstances of an intervening conduct or event. (9) A person who is convicted of an offence cannot be punished by imprisonment for the offence if the person would not have been convicted of the offence without subsection (2) or (6). (10) In this section: fault element includes intention, knowledge, recklessness, opinion, belief and purpose, but does not include negligence. person means an individual.