48Inspector‑General may retain documents and things

48 Inspector‑General may retain documents and things

(1) This section applies if a document or thing is produced to the Inspector‑General under subsection 44(2). (2) The Inspector‑General: (a) may make copies of the document or thing, or take extracts from the document; and (b) may retain possession of the document or thing for such period as is necessary for the purposes of the performance of any of the Inspector‑General’s functions referred to in paragraphs 10(1)(a) to (d). (3) While the Inspector‑General retains the document or thing, the Inspector‑General must allow a person who would otherwise be entitled to inspect the document or view the thing: (a) to do so at all reasonable times; and (b) to copy the document or thing. (4) Subsection (3) does not apply if: (a) possession of the document or thing by the person could constitute an offence; or (b) inspecting or copying the document or thing (as the case requires) would compromise or damage the document or thing; or (c) the Inspector‑General is satisfied that allowing the person to inspect the document or view the thing would prejudice the performance of any of the Inspector‑General’s functions referred to in paragraphs 10(1)(a) to (d).