24Powers of inspectors

24 Powers of inspectors

(1)  For the purpose of ensuring that the provisions of this Act are complied with, an inspector may, at any reasonable time and with or without assistance, enter and remain in the premises of a State authority for a reasonable period.

(2)  If an inspector enters any premises of a State authority, the inspector may –

(a) make such inspections, examinations and inquiries as are necessary; and

(b) question, with respect to matters under this Act, the person in charge of any premises so entered or any person employed or engaged on or in those premises; and

(c) require the person apparently in charge of those premises to produce for inspection by the inspector any books, documents or other records relating to a long service leave record kept under section 26 .

(3)  It is not lawful for an inspector to enter and remain on premises and to exercise any power under subsection (2) without providing, when requested to do so, evidence of appointment as an inspector.

(4)  A person must not –

(a) prevent, obstruct, hinder or delay an inspector from exercising any powers under this section; or

(b) fail, without reasonable cause, to comply with a request of an inspector or to answer questions asked by an inspector made or asked under any such power if it is within the person's power to comply with the request or to answer the question; or

(c) give an answer to such a question knowing the answer to be false or misleading; or

(d) intentionally conceal, or attempt to conceal, a person from an inspector or prevent, or attempt to prevent, a person from appearing before, or being questioned by, an inspector for the purposes of this Act.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 5 penalty units.