21Additional audits may be required

21 Additional audits may be required

21 Additional audits may be required

(1) The Secretary may, by written notice to a network operator, require the network operator to carry out, or to provide reasonable assistance and co-operation for the purposes of carrying out, a further audit of its safety and operating plan.

(2) The Secretary may require a further audit if the Secretary is—

(a) satisfied the further audit is required to verify the safety and operating plan is being properly implemented, or

(b) not satisfied with an aspect of an audit carried out by a nominated auditor.

(3) The Secretary may require a further audit to be carried out by an auditor nominated or appointed by the Secretary, rather than the nominated auditor.

(4) The further audit may relate to one or more of the matters to which the following may relate—

(a) an initial audit under section 19,

(b) a periodical audit under section 20.

(5) A network operator must comply, as soon as practicable, with a requirement made by the Secretary under this section for a further audit.

Maximum penalty (subsection (5))—

(a) for a corporation—10,000 penalty units, or

(b) for an individual—5,000 penalty units.