31Cancellation and suspension of permits by regulator

### 31 Cancellation and suspension of permits by regulator > > (1)  [*\[Section 31 Subsection (1) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpa@EN) The regulator must – > > > > > > (a) suspend an SSDS permit immediately if the holder of the permit is charged with a terrorism offence; and > > > > > > > (b) cancel an SSDS permit immediately if the holder of the permit is convicted of a terrorism offence. > > > (2)  [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpb@EN) The regulator may cancel or suspend an SSDS permit at any time if the regulator believes on reasonable grounds that – > > > > > > (a) the holder of the permit no longer requires it or can no longer demonstrate a legitimate need for it; or > > > > > > > (b) the conditions of the permit have been or are being contravened; or > > > > > > > (c) persons other than the holder of the permit or responsible workers have been carrying out the authorised restricted activity without supervision or adequate supervision; or > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpd@EN) the holder of the permit has given the regulator false or misleading information in or in connection with an application or nomination or about another matter under this Act; or > > > > > > > (e) the holder of the permit has contravened this Act, a related State law or a corresponding Australian law; or > > > > > > > (f) the holder of the permit has contravened a direction under [Division 6](#HP2@HD6@EN) ; or > > > > > > > (g) the holder of the permit has, either in this State or elsewhere, committed an offence involving – > > > > > > > > > > (i) violence or weapons; or > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) dishonesty; or > > > > > > > > > > > (iii) the obstruction or intimidation of persons exercising statutory powers or functions; or > > > > > > > (h) the holder of the permit has, either in this State or elsewhere, committed an offence of another kind that calls into question his or her fitness or competence to continue holding the SSDS permit; or > > > > > > > (i) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 20 of 2008, s. 9, Applied:30 Mar 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-03-30/act-2008-020#GS9@EN) the holder of the permit is subject to a restrictive personal order; or > > > > > > > (j) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (2) amended by No. 20 of 2008, s. 9, Applied:30 Mar 2009\]*](/view/html/inforce/2009-03-30/act-2008-020#GS9@EN) the suspension is prudent or necessary having regard to a security threat. > > > (3)  [*\[Section 31 Subsection (3) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpe@EN) In deciding under [subsection (2)](#GS31@Gs2@EN) whether cancellation or suspension is the more appropriate course of action in the circumstances, the regulator is to regard State security and public safety, rather than the rights and convenience of the holder of the SSDS permit, as being the paramount consideration. > > > (4)  The cancellation or suspension takes effect when the holder of the SSDS permit is notified of it. > > > (5)  Subject to [section 73](#GS73@EN) , the notification of cancellation or suspension is to – > > > > > > (a) specify the reasons for the cancellation or suspension; and > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (5) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpf@EN) indicate, in general terms, any information that the regulator took into account in making the decision to cancel or suspend; and > > > > > > > (c) advise that there is a right of review against the decision; and > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 31 Subsection (5) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpg@EN) specify, in the case of a suspension, the period of suspension and any conditions that must be met before the regulator will consider revoking the suspension; and > > > > > > > (e) if necessary, contain instructions for securing or disposing of any SSDS affected by the cancellation or suspension. > > > (6)  [*\[Section 31 Subsection (6) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hph@EN) The regulator may, by notifying the holder of the permit, revoke the suspension of an SSDS permit at any time. > > > (7)  [*\[Section 31 Subsection (7) amended by No. 2 of 2012, s. 75, Applied:01 Jan 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-01-01/act-2012-002#GS75@Hpi@EN) The regulator may consult the permit holder before cancelling or suspending an SSDS permit, but there is no obligation to consider exercising that discretion if the regulator considers that the cancellation or suspension should be effected urgently in the public interest. > > > (8)  A suspended SSDS permit is of no effect during the period of suspension. > > > (9)  However, a person who is acting strictly in accordance with instructions issued to the person pursuant to [subsection (5)(e)](#GS31@Gs5@Hpe@EN) is not guilty of any offence under this Act. > > > (10)  The cancellation or suspension of an SSDS permit is to be entered in the register.