13Stocktaking and inspection of accounts, &c.

13 Stocktaking and inspection of accounts, &c.

(1)  For the purposes of this Act or an Act of another State relating to subsidy for the sale of liquefied petroleum gas or the purchase of liquefied petroleum gas or naphtha, an authorized officer may at all reasonable times –

(a) enter any premises of a registered distributor;

(b) enter the premises of a person who is registered as a distributor of liquefied petroleum gas or a distributor of eligible reticulation gas in accordance with a scheme formulated by the Commonwealth Minister in relation to another State or the Northern Territory for the purposes of the Commonwealth Act; or

(c) enter a vehicle used by such a distributor or person for the carriage of any liquefied petroleum gas –

and may inspect the records relating to the sale of liquefied petroleum gas, the production or sale of eligible reticulation gas, or the purchase of liquefied petroleum gas or naphtha.

(2)  The occupier of any premises or any person in charge of a vehicle referred to in subsection (1) shall provide the authorized officer with all reasonable facilities and assistance for the effective exercise of his powers under this section.

(3)  *[Section 13 Subsection (3) amended by No. 9 of 1981, s. 5 ]*For the purposes of this Act, an authorized officer may, at all reasonable times, enter any premises to which eligible gas has been or is supplied by a registered distributor, being gas in relation to which a claim for payment under this Act has been made and may inspect the records relating to the purchase or use of the gas.

(4)  *[Section 13 Subsection (4) amended by No. 43 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 1 ]*A person who obstructs, molests, or hinders an authorized officer in the exercise of his powers under this section is guilty of an offence against this Act and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.

(5)  *[Section 13 Subsection (5) amended by No. 43 of 1991, s. 5 and Sched. 1 ]*Any occupier or person referred to in subsection (2) who fails to comply with the provisions of that subsection is guilty of an offence against this Act and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.