15CRequests by Australia for surveillance devices

15C Requests by Australia for surveillance devices

(1) This section applies if: (a) an investigation in relation to an offence punishable by a maximum penalty of imprisonment for 3 years or more has commenced in Australia; and (b) the use of a surveillance device (however described) is reasonably necessary for the purpose of obtaining information relevant to: (i) the commission of the offence; or (ii) the identity or location of the offenders. (2) Australia may request an appropriate authority of a foreign country: (a) to authorise the use of a surveillance device (however described), in accordance with the law of that country, to obtain the information referred to in paragraph (1)(b); and (b) to arrange for any such information that has been obtained to be sent to Australia. (3) Subsection (4) applies if: (a) Australia makes a request under this section; and (b) the foreign country obtains any information referred to in paragraph (1)(b) by means of a process authorised by the law of that country other than the use (as requested by Australia) of a surveillance device. (4) The information obtained by the foreign country: (a) is not inadmissible in evidence in a proceeding that relates to the investigation; or (b) is not precluded from being used for the purposes of the investigation; on the ground alone that it was obtained otherwise than in accordance with the request.