123Audits

123  Audits

 (1) The Secretary may, in writing, require an audit to be conducted by an auditor of any of the following:

 (a) an activity purportedly authorised by a controlled activity authorisation;

 (b) an activity carried out in a specially managed area that is purportedly consistent with a special management plan for that area;

 (c) an activity carried out in an area beyond national jurisdiction that is purportedly consistent with the alternative measures determined for the area.

Note: For the meaning of auditor, see section 124.

 (2) An audit under subsection (1) must relate to whether an activity mentioned in a paragraph of that subsection:

 (a) is authorised by the authorisation, or consistent with the special management plan or the alternative measures (as the case requires); or

 (b) complies, has complied or will comply with the conditions of the authorisation (if any), the special management plan or the alternative measures (as the case requires); or

 (c) complies, has complied or will comply with any other relevant requirements of this Act or the rules.

 (3) An audit under subsection (1) may deal with anything that is:

 (a) reasonably necessary for the effective conduct of the audit; or

 (b) incidental to the matter to which the audit relates.

 (4) The Secretary may require a single audit, or a program of audits, to be conducted in relation to:

 (a) a specified matter; or

 (b) matters included in a specified class of matters.