25Powers of authorised officers to ascertain compliance with Act

#### 25 Powers of authorised officers to ascertain compliance with Act (1) The function of an authorized officer under this section is to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act have been complied with. (2) A reference in subsection (1) to ascertaining whether the provisions of this Act have been complied with includes a reference to ascertaining whether an offence against this Act has been committed. (3) For the purposes of performing the function of an authorized officer under this section or exercising a power of an authorized officer under section 26, an authorized officer may, with such assistance as the authorized officer thinks necessary: (a) enter prescribed premises; (b) with the consent of the occupier or in pursuance of a warrant granted under subsection (6), enter any other premises; (c) board or enter any vehicle, ship or aircraft; (d) stop and detain any vehicle, ship or aircraft; (e) search any premises, vehicle, ship or aircraft; (f) break open any hold or compartment or any container or other receptacle (including any place that could be used as a receptacle); (g) inspect, examine, photograph or make other visual recordings of any premises, vehicle, ship, aircraft, matter or thing; (h) secure any premises, vehicle, ship, aircraft, matter or thing; (j) take samples of any matter or thing (including parts of premises, vehicles, ships or aircraft); or (k) take extracts from, or make copies of, any document. (4) Samples of any matter or thing taken in accordance with subsection (3) shall be dealt with as prescribed. (5) An authorized officer may make application to a Justice of the Peace for a warrant authorizing the authorized officer to enter premises that are not prescribed premises. (6) If, on an application under subsection (5), the Justice of the Peace is satisfied, by information on oath or affirmation, that it is reasonably necessary that the authorized officer should, for the purpose of exercising the powers of an authorized officer under this section or section 26, have access to premises to which the application relates, the Justice of the Peace may grant a warrant authorizing the authorized officer, with such assistance as the authorized officer thinks necessary, to enter the premises during such hours of the day or night as the warrant specifies or, if the warrant so specifies, at any time, if necessary by force, for the purpose of exercising the powers of an authorized officer under this section or section 26. (7) A warrant under subsection (6) shall specify a date after which the warrant ceases to have effect. (8) Where an authorized officer proposes to search or detain a vehicle, ship or aircraft the authorized officer shall, if there is a person in charge of the vehicle, ship or aircraft, produce his or her identity card for inspection by the person and, if the authorized officer fails to do so, the authorized officer is not authorized to search or detain the vehicle, ship or aircraft.