Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

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DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 51Z

Defence of superior orders in certain circumstances

  (1)   The fact that a criminal act was done, or purported to be done, by a member of the Defence Force under this Part under an order of a superior does not (subject to subsection   ( 2)) relieve the member of criminal responsibility.

  (2)   It is a defence to a criminal act done, or purported to be done, by a member of the Defence Force under this Part that:

  (a)   the criminal act was done by the member under an order of a superior; and

  (b)   the member was under a legal obligation to obey the order; and

  (c)   the order was not manifestly unlawful; and

  (d)   the member had no reason to believe that circumstances had changed in a material respect since the order was given; and

  (e)   the member had no reason to believe that the order was based on a mistake as to a material fact; and

  (f)   the action taken was reasonable and necessary to give effect to the order.

  (3)   Subsection   ( 2) does not limit the defences that may be available to the person.


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