39SPower to search aircraft and vessels

39S Power to search aircraft and vessels

(1) An inspector may search an aircraft or vessel for the purpose of ascertaining a person’s liability to charge or to pay a collected amount and, for that purpose, may stop or detain the aircraft or vessel. (2) If an inspector searches an aircraft or vessel under subsection (1), the inspector may: (a) inspect; and (b) take extracts from; and (c) make copies of; any documents in or on the aircraft or vessel that are relevant to ascertaining a person’s liability to charge or to pay a collected amount. (3) The person in charge of an aircraft or vessel searched, or proposed to be searched, by an inspector must provide the inspector with all reasonable facilities and assistance for the effective exercise of powers under this section.

Penalty: 10 penalty units.

(4) If an inspector (other than a member of a police force who is in uniform) stops or detains an aircraft or vessel under subsection (1), the inspector must produce for inspection by the person in charge of the aircraft or vessel: (a) if the inspector is a member of a police force—written evidence of the fact that the inspector is a member of that police force; or (b) in any other case—the inspector’s identity card. (5) An inspector who does not comply with subsection (4) is not authorised to search or detain the aircraft or vessel.