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NATIONAL HEALTH SECURITY ACT 2007 - SECT 47

Secretary not satisfied entity handling security - sensitive biological agent for a legitimate purpose

  (1)   This section applies in relation to a report given to the Secretary by an entity under section   42 if:

  (a)   the requirements referred to in paragraphs 44(4)(a) and (b) are met in relation to a security - sensitive biological agent and a facility specified in the report; and

  (b)   the Secretary is not satisfied that the purpose stated in the report for which the entity is handling that security - sensitive biological agent at that facility is a legitimate purpose.

  (2)   The Secretary must:

  (a)   decide to register the entity, on a temporary basis, in relation to the security - sensitive biological agent and the facility; and

  (b)   notify the entity in writing of that fact.

Note:   An entity that is registered under this subsection must report any changes under section   48 and must also report some changes under section   48A .

  (3)   The notice under paragraph   ( 2)(b) must also state:

  (a)   the reason that the entity has been registered on a temporary basis in relation to the security - sensitive biological agent and the facility; and

  (b)   that handling a security - sensitive biological agent for a purpose other than a legitimate purpose may be an offence against the Crimes (Biological Weapons) Act 1976 .

Note:   The Secretary may refer the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation.

  (4)   If:

  (a)   the entity is convicted of an offence against the Crimes (Biological Weapons) Act 1976 in relation to its handling of the security - sensitive biological agent at the facility; or

  (b)   the entity is found to have committed such an offence but no conviction is recorded;

the Secretary must cancel the registration of the entity in relation to the security - sensitive biological agent and the facility.

  (5)   If a prosecution for an offence against the Crimes (Biological Weapons) Act 1976 , in relation to the entity's handling of the security - sensitive biological agent at the facility, is not instituted against the entity within 12 months after the date on which the entity is registered under paragraph   ( 2)(a), the Secretary must vary the National Register to indicate that the registration made under that paragraph is no longer on a temporary basis.

  (6)   A variation of the National Register under subsection   ( 5) must be made:

  (a)   if, within 12 months after the date on which the entity is registered under paragraph   ( 2)(a), a decision is made not to institute a prosecution for an offence referred to in subsection   ( 5)--as soon as practicable after the Secretary becomes aware of that decision; or

  (b)   in any other case--as soon as practicable after the end of the period of 12 months referred to in subsection   ( 5).

  (7)   If:

  (a)   a prosecution for an offence against the Crimes (Biological Weapons) Act 1976 , in relation to the entity's handling of the security - sensitive biological agent at the facility, is instituted against the entity within 12 months after the date on which the entity is registered under paragraph   ( 2)(a); and

  (b)   the entity is found not to have committed the offence;

the Secretary must vary the National Register to indicate that the registration made under that paragraph is no longer on a temporary basis.

  (8)   A variation of the National Register under subsection   ( 7) must be made as soon as practicable after the end of the proceedings for the offence referred to in that subsection.

  (9)   A person or authority that conducts investigations in relation to offences against the Crimes (Biological Weapons) Act 1976 , or institutes or carries on prosecutions for offences against that Act, may disclose personal information to the Secretary for the purpose of assisting the Secretary to maintain the National Register in an up - to - date form.

Note:   Subsection   ( 9) constitutes an authorisation for the purposes of other laws, such as paragraph   6.2(b) of Australian Privacy Principle   6 .


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