56General powers of inspection, &c., of authorised officers

### 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](#JS3@EN) has effect in relation to the issue, execution, effect and expiry of warrants for the purposes of this section. > > > (4)  Despite [subsection (2)](#GS56@Gs2@EN) , 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)](#GS56@Gs6@EN) 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)](#GS56@Gs1@EN) , [(4)](#GS56@Gs4@EN) , [(5)](#GS56@Gs5@EN) or [(6)](#GS56@Gs6@EN) 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)](#GS56@Gs9@EN) 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)](#GS56@Gs1@EN) , [(4)](#GS56@Gs4@EN) , [(5)](#GS56@Gs5@EN) or [(6)](#GS56@Gs6@EN) 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. > > > (16)  In this section – > > > > > ***relevant purpose*** means a purpose specified in [subsection (1)(a)](#GS56@Gs1@Hpa@EN) , [(b)](#GS56@Gs1@Hpb@EN) , [(c)](#GS56@Gs1@Hpc@EN) , [(d)](#GS56@Gs1@Hpd@EN) or [(e)](#GS56@Gs1@Hpe@EN) .