56 General powers of inspection, &c., of authorised officers
(1) An authorised officer may enter and search any premises if the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that the entry and search is necessary in order to –
(a) check whether this Act is being complied with; or
(b) check whether the conditions of an SSDS permit are being complied with; or
(c) check on the security or condition of an SSDS; or
(d) check on the security of a restricted activity in relation to an SSDS; or
(e) assess or respond to a security threat.
(2) However, if the premises are unattended or are a residence, the authorised officer may only enter them with the consent of the occupier or under the authority of a warrant issued by a magistrate.
(3) Schedule 3 has effect in relation to the issue, execution, effect and expiry of warrants for the purposes of this section.
(4) Despite subsection (2) , an authorised officer may enter and search premises, whether attended or not and whether or not a residence, and without consent or a warrant, if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that –
(a) an urgent security threat exists as a result of anything occurring, or failing to occur, at the premises in relation to an SSDS; and
(b) the authorised officer needs to assess or respond to the security threat urgently; and
(c) seeking consent or a warrant would jeopardise or unreasonably delay that assessment or response.
(5) If an authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that a vehicle has been, is being or is likely to be used in connection with an SSDS or restricted activity, the officer may, for a relevant purpose –
(a) stop or detain the vehicle or cause the vehicle to be stopped or detained; and
(b) search the vehicle for an SSDS or for documents, equipment or other things relating to an SSDS or restricted activity.
(6) If an authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that a vehicle or equipment has been, is being or is likely to be used in connection with an SSDS or restricted activity, the officer may, for a relevant purpose, direct a person in charge or apparently in charge of the vehicle or equipment to move the vehicle or equipment, or to cause it to be moved, to a suitable location for inspection.
(7) If the inspection is not to take place immediately, the direction is to be given by notice in writing specifying the time, date and location for the inspection.
(8) An authorised officer may carry out an inspection of the kind referred to in subsection (6) without notice if the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that an urgent security threat exists.
(9) An authorised officer may, to find out whether this Act is being complied with, take samples, or direct a person in charge of premises or a vehicle or equipment referred to in subsection (1) , (4) , (5) or (6) or another person capable of doing so to give samples, of a substance for examination and testing if the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds that the substance is an SSDS or goods that are connected with an SSDS.
(10) If subsection (9) applies, the authorised officer must give a receipt in an approved form to the person who –
(a) appears to be in charge of the premises, vehicle or equipment from or in respect of which the sample is taken; or
(b) gives the sample.
(11) An authorised officer may, for a relevant purpose, direct a person in charge or apparently in charge of premises or a vehicle or equipment referred to in subsection (1) , (4) , (5) or (6) to produce documents.
(12) The authorised officer may make copies of the documents, or remove them to make copies, but if they are removed the authorised officer must –
(a) if it is practicable to do so, allow the person otherwise entitled to possession of the documents reasonable access to them; and
(b) give a receipt in an approved form.
(13) An authorised officer may, for a relevant purpose, leave at premises written directions to the occupier requiring the occupier, within a specified time –
(a) to give, for examination and testing, samples of a substance the authorised officer believes on reasonable grounds to be an SSDS; or
(b) to produce documents that may help the authorised officer.
(14) An authorised officer may, for a relevant purpose, direct a person to answer questions that may help the authorised officer.
(15) An authorised officer may make photographic, mechanical or electronic recordings for a purpose incidental to the exercise of a power of the authorised officer under this section.