Victorian Current Acts

DANGEROUS GOODS ACT 1985

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART I--PRELIMINARY

   1.      Short title  
   2.      Commencement  
   3.      Definitions  
   4.      Objects of Act  
   5.      Act binds the Crown  
   8.      Relationship of this Act to other statutory provisions  
   9.      Application of Act  
   9A.     Governor in Council may exempt dangerous goods from this Act etc.  
   9B.     Governor in Council may declare substance or article to be dangerous goods  
   9C.     Ministerial order suspending or varying operation of regulations  
   10.     Adoption of ADG Code  
   10A.    Review of decisions by Tribunal  
   10B.    Delegations  
   10C.    Provision of information to corresponding Authority  
   10D.    Restrictions on disclosure of information  
   10E.    Circumstances in which information may be disclosed  

   PART II--INSPECTORS AND ENFORCEMENT

           Division 1--Appointment of inspectors

   11.     Appointment of inspectors[1]  
   11A.    Limitations on powers of particular inspectors  
   11B.    Identity cards  

           Division 2--Performance of functions or exercise of powers

   12.     Inspectors subject to Authority's directions  
   12A.    Authority has the powers etc. of an inspector  

           Division 3--Powers relating to entry and to inspection of vehicles

   13.     Power to enter places  
   13A.    Power to inspect vehicles  
   13B.    Powers incidental to entry etc.  
   13C.    Power to require production of documents and answers to questions  
   13D.    Power to take samples  
   13E.    Inquiries concerning fires and explosions and events involving dangerous goods  

           Division 4--Procedure relating to entry

   14.     Announcement on entry  
   14A.    Report to be given about entry  

           Division 5--Search warrants

   15.     Issue of search warrants  
   15A.    Announcement before entry on warrant  
   15B.    Copy of warrant to be given to the occupier of the place to be searched  

           Division 6--Limitation on entry powers

   16.     Places used for residential purposes  

           Division 7--Return and forfeiture of seized things

   16A.    Return of seized things  
   16B.    Forfeiture of seized things  

           Division 8--Powers to issue directions and notices

   17A.    Provisional directions  
   17B.    Power to issue non-disturbance notice  
   17C.    Power to issue improvement notice  
   17D.    Power to issue prohibition notice  
   17E.    Directions or conditions in notices  
   17F.    Variation or cancellation of notices  
   17G.    Issue etc. of directions and notices  
   17H.    Formal irregularities or defects in notices  
   17I.    Proceedings for offences not affected by notices  
   17J.    Injunctions for non-compliance with notices  
   17K.    Inspector may issue direction concerning damaged or spilled dangerous goods  

           Division 9--Other powers

   18.     Power to require name and address  
   18A.    Power to give directions  
   18B.    Powers extend to HCDG and explosives  

           Division 10--Other matters

   19.     People who must assist inspector  
   19A.    Other assistance in exercising powers  
   19B.    Inspector may take affidavits  
   19C.    Inspector may copy documents  

           Division 11--Offences

   19D.    Offences in relation to inspections  
   19E.    Offence to impersonate inspector  

           Division 12--Protections concerning self‑incrimination, legal professional privilege and client legal privilege

   19F.    Protection against self-incrimination  
   19G.    Legal professional privilege and client legal privilege not affected  

   PART IIA--REVIEW OF DECISIONS

   20.     Which decisions are reviewable  
   20A.    Internal review  
   20B.    Review by the Tribunal  

   PART III--LICENCES

   21.     Licences  
   21AA.   Failure to hold licence and other offences relating to the transport of dangerous goods  
   21A.    Special provisions for HCDG and explosives licences  
   22.     Review of decision of Authority  
   23.     Conditions etc. in licences  
   24.     Authority may amend, suspend or revoke licences  
   25.     Review of licence revocations etc.  
   26.     Transfer of licences  

   PART IV--INFORMATION ON DANGEROUS GOODS AT LICENSED PREMISES

   27.     Certain persons to provide information concerning dangerous goods  
   28.     Authority to send the information to relevant fire authority  
   29.     Authority to send municipality details of dangerous goods for which a licence is issued  
   30.     Manifests  

   PART V--ACCIDENTS AND SECURITY

   31.     Persons required to take precautions  
   31A.    Goods too dangerous to be transported  
   31B.    Dangerous goods must be transported in safe manner  
   31C.    Aggravated offence  
   31D.    Conduct in respect of dangerous goods that endangers persons  
   32.     Accidents to be reported  
   33.     Reconstruction work  
   33A.    Power of Authority where premises or magazine especially dangerous  
   33B.    Approval of equipment etc. for sale  

   PART VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO EXPLOSIVES AND LIQUEFIED GASES

   34.     Governor in Council may appoint public magazines  
   36.     Trespassers etc. in relation to explosives  
   37.     Offences in relation to explosives  
   38.     Exemption of licensee where consignee etc. at fault  
   39.     Additional penalties for offences involving explosives  

   PART VIA--ASBESTOS REMOVAL AND CONTROL

   39A.    Definitions  
   39B.    Application of Part  
   39C.    Authority to be notified of asbestos installed on or after 1 January 2004  
   39D.    Manager or controller to agree to a removal plan or management plan  
   39E.    Removal plan must specify time for removal of asbestos  
   39F.    Management plans  

   PART VII--PROCEEDINGS AND ENFORCEMENT

   40.     Proceedings may be brought by the Authority, inspectors and the police  
   40A.    Procedure if prosecution is not brought  
   40B.    Limitation period for prosecutions  
   41.     Proceedings for an offence  
   42.     Evidence  
   42A.    Analyst's certificates  
   43.     Right of accused to have third person before court  
   44.     Offence to interfere etc. with document or give false information  
   44A.    Offence to give false or misleading information  
   45.     General  
   45A.    Further penalties for subsequent offences  
   45B.    Infringement notices  
   45C.    Court may make order amending, suspending or revoking licence  
   46.     Offences by bodies corporate and partnerships etc.  
   47.     Court may impose punishment for dangerous offence  
   47A.    Forfeiture and disposal of HCDG, explosives or containers before conviction  
   47B.    Court orders for forfeiture and disposal of HCDG, explosives or containers before conviction  
   47C.    Appeal against orders under section 47B  
   47D.    Compensation  
   48.     Court may order forfeiture  
   49.     Court may impose additional penalty in lieu of forfeiture  
   50.     Costs of seizure etc. recoverable from convicted person  
   50A.    Judicial notice of Minister's signature etc.  
   51.     Acts in good faith etc. not actionable  
   51A.    Responsible agency for the Crown  
   51B.    Infringement and other notices may be issued to the Crown  
   51C.    Proceedings against successors to public bodies  

   PART VIIA--INSURANCE AND INDEMNITY FOR PECUNIARY PENALTIES PROHIBITED

   51D.    Certain insurance and indemnity arrangements void  
   51E.    Prohibition on insurance and indemnity for pecuniary penalties  

   PART VIII--REGULATIONS, ORDERS, CODES OF PRACTICE, UNDERTAKINGS ANDADVICE ON COMPLIANCE

   52.     Power to make regulations  
   54.      Register of classified explosives  
   55.     Governor in Council may make Order with respect to dangerous goods  
   55A.    Orders—general provisions  
   55B.    Variation and revocation of orders  
   55C.    Making and varying of orders about HCDG subject to disallowance  
   56.     Codes of practice  
   57.     Proposed code of practice to be made available for public comment  
   58.     Procedural matters concerning codes of practice  
   59.     Effect of failure to comply with a code of practice  
   60.     Use of codes of practice in proceedings  
   60A.    Authority may accept undertakings  
   60B.    Enforcement of undertakings  
   60C.    Power to give advice on compliance  
   61.     Transfer of responsibilities  

   PART IX--SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS--DANGEROUS GOODS AND EQUIPMENT (PUBLIC SAFETY) ACTS (AMENDMENT) ACT 2005

   62.     Definition  
   63.     Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984 not affected  
   64.     Amendments not to affect the appointment of inspectors  
   65.     Continuation of directions and notices  
   66.     Application of provisions concerning prosecutions  
   67.     Saving of instruments of delegation  

   PART X--SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

           Division 1--Dangerous Goods Amendment (Transport) Act 2008

   68.     Definitions  
   69.     Authorised officers  
   70.     Notices  
   71.     Application for review  
   72.     Lawful conduct under previous law  
   73.     Notice of prohibition  
   74.     References to Road Transport (Dangerous Goods) Act 1995  

           Division 2--Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Act 2019

   75.     Dangerous Goods Amendment (Penalty Reform) Act 2019  
           SCHEDULE 2
           ENDNOTES