What it does
This Act creates a permit-based regulatory regime for "security-sensitive dangerous substances" (SSDS) in Tasmania. It does three mechanical things. First, it defines which substances are SSDS by listing them in Schedule 1 (s 4, Schedule 1 Part 2) and identifies the activities that are "restricted activities" with respect to those substances (Schedule 1 Part 3). Second, it requires people who carry out specified restricted activities to hold an SSDS permit issued by the regulator, and it sets out the application, assessment, issue, renewal, suspension, cancellation and register-maintenance mechanics for those permits (Part 2: ss 8-37, 19-31, 28). Third, it gives the regulator and authorised officers powers to inspect, direct and, in certain urgent circumstances, to enter without warrant, to require reports and medical examinations, and to take corrective or emergency actions to respond to security threats (Part 2 Division 6, Part 3: ss 43-49, 51-59, Schedule 3).
The Act attaches procedural and documentary requirements to permit applications: approved-form applications, prescribed fees, security plans based on risk assessments, nominations of responsible workers and background checks (ss 5, 9). The regulator must seek a police security clearance before approving permits or responsible-worker nominations (ss 11, 39(7)). Applicants and nominated responsible workers must be shown to be "fit and proper" against a range of criteria including criminal history, restrictive personal orders, prior regulatory contraventions and qualifications (ss 12, 13, 14). The Act creates identity cards for responsible workers (ss 37-38) and a non-public register of permits with limited disclosure rules (s 28). It also provides exemptions for specified low-scale activities (s 78 and Schedule 1 Part 4).
On enforcement and sanctions, the Act criminalises carrying out restricted activities without a permit, contravening permit conditions, failing to comply with directions, obstructing authorised officers, and deceit in relation to permits and identity cards (ss 8, 21, 48, 56, 60, 36, 42). Penalties are a mix of fines (expressed in penalty units) and, for some offences, imprisonment (for example, s 8(3): up to 12 months for individuals). The regulator has powers to suspend immediately where a permit-holder is charged with a terrorism offence and to cancel on conviction (s 31(1)). The regulator may also act, at its or an authorised officer's initiative, to vary conditions, revoke responsible-worker status and recover costs where holder non-compliance creates a security threat (ss 29, 41, 49).