43Protection orders by Chief Commissioner

#### 43 Protection orders by Chief Commissioner (1) For the purpose of protecting evidence that might be relevant to an investigation, the Chief Commissioner may direct that specified things, or things in a specified class of things, must not be removed or interfered with except with the permission of the Chief Commissioner. (2) The Chief Commissioner may revoke or vary such a direction. (3) A person must not contravene such a direction. Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months. (4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the conduct concerned was necessary: (a) to ensure the safety of persons, animals or property; or (b) to remove deceased persons or animals from an accident site; or (c) to move a transport vehicle, or the wreckage of a transport vehicle, to a safe place; or (d) to protect the environment from significant damage or pollution. > Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (4). See subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code. (5) The Chief Commissioner must not unreasonably withhold a permission under subsection (1).