Victorian Numbered Acts

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SERIOUS OFFENDERS ACT 2018 (NO. 27 OF 2018) - SECT 284

Sharing of information

    (1)     A relevant person may use, or disclose to another relevant person, any information obtained by the first-mentioned relevant person in carrying out a function under this Act or any other Act if—

        (a)     the first-mentioned relevant person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to use or disclose the information to enable that relevant person or the other relevant person to carry out a function under this Act or a relevant Act, including the following—

              (i)     preparing assessment reports, progress reports, treatment and supervision plans or any other reports or documents required by this Act;

              (ii)     making or responding to an application under this Act;

              (iii)     preparing and reviewing coordinated services plans;

              (iv)     delivering services or providing for the delivery of services in accordance with coordinated services plans;

              (v)     managing an offender under—

    (A)     this Act; or

    (B)     the Corrections Act 1986 ; or

    (C)     the Sentencing Act 1991 ; or

        (b)     the use or disclosure is specifically authorised or required by or under this
Act or another Act; or

        (c)     the use or disclosure is authorised by the person to whom the information relates; or

        (d)     the first-mentioned relevant person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to use or disclose the information—

              (i)     to reduce the risk of an offender committing a serious sex offence or a serious violence offence or both, or an offence referred to in Schedule 3, or engaging in any behaviour or conduct that threatens the safety of any person (including the offender); or

              (ii)     to lessen or prevent a threat to the life, health, safety or welfare of any person.

    (2)     A person who is or has been a relevant person must not use or disclose any information obtained by the person in carrying out a function under this Act unless the use or disclosure is authorised by subsection (1) or (3).

Penalty:     120 penalty units.

    (3)     A relevant person may use or disclose information given to the Authority that is not disclosed in a decision of the Authority or in any reasons given by the Authority for a decision of the Authority if—

        (a)     the relevant person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to use or disclose the information for the administration of this Act; or

        (b)     the relevant person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to use or disclose the information for the preparation for, conduct of or participation in—

              (i)     a proceeding in any court; or

              (ii)     a proceeding before a tribunal; or

              (iii)     an inquest or investigation held by a coroner; or

        (c)     the relevant person believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to use or disclose the information—

              (i)     to reduce the risk of an offender committing a serious sex offence or a serious violence offence or both or an offence referred to in Schedule 3; or

              (ii)     to lessen or prevent a threat to the life, health, safety or welfare of any person.

    (4)     Section 277 does not apply to the disclosure of information under this section.

    (5)     Nothing in this section limits or affects any requirement imposed by any other provision of this Act for the Secretary to notify the Authority or the Adult Parole Board of any matter.

    (6)     In this section—

"relevant Act" means—

        (a)     the Bail Act 1977 ; or

        (b)     the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 ; or

        (c)     the Control of Weapons Act 1990 ; or

        (d)     the Corrections Act 1986 ; or

        (e)     the Crimes Act 1958 ; or

        (f)     the Disability Act 2006 ; or

        (g)     the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 ; or

        (h)     the Firearms Act 1996 ; or

              (i)     the Housing Act 1983 ; or

        (j)     the National Domestic Violence Order Scheme Act 2016 ; or

        (k)     the Mental Health Act 2014 ; or

        (l)     the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 ; or

        (m)     the Sentencing Act 1991 ; or

        (n)     the Sex Offenders Registration Act 2004 ; or

        (o)     the Summary Offences Act 1966 ; or

        (p)     the Working with Children Act 2005 ; or

        (q)     the Crimes Act 1914 of the Commonwealth; or

        (r)     the Criminal Code Act 1995 of the Commonwealth; or

        (s)     the Migration Act 1958 of the Commonwealth;

"relevant person" means—

        (a)     any member, or the secretary, of the Adult Parole Board; or

        (b)     the Secretary; or

        (c)     an independent prison visitor appointed under section 35 of the Corrections Act 1986 ; or

        (d)     any person employed in the Department of Justice and Regulation; or

        (e)     any person who delivers services or advice to, or on behalf of, the Department of Justice and Regulation, whether paid or unpaid; or

        (f)     the Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services; or

        (g)     any person employed in the Department of Health and Human Services; or

        (h)     any person who delivers services or advice on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services; or

              (i)     any member of the Authority or any employee assisting the Authority under section 301 to perform its functions; or

        (j)     any person who delivers services or advice to, or on behalf of, the Authority, whether paid or unpaid; or

        (k)     a person or body from which a responsible agency seeks or obtains advice; or

        (l)     a person or body prescribed as a responsible agency under paragraph (d) of the definition of responsible agency; or

        (m)     the Chief Commissioner of Police; or

        (n)     a police officer; or

        (o)     any Victoria Police employee within the meaning of the Victoria Police Act 2013 ; or

        (p)     any person who delivers services or advice on behalf of Victoria Police; or

        (q)     an Australian lawyer engaged for the purpose of obtaining legal advice or representation in relation to the administration or operation of this Act; or

        (r)     the Secretary to the Department of Home Affairs of the Commonwealth; or

        (s)     any person employed in the Department of Home Affairs of the Commonwealth; or

        (t)     any person who delivers services or advice on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs of the Commonwealth; or

        (u)     the Secretary to the Attorney-General's Department of the Commonwealth; or

              (v)     any person employed in the Attorney-General's Department of the Commonwealth; or

        (w)     any person who delivers services or advice on behalf of the Attorney-General's Department of the Commonwealth; or

              (x)     the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police; or

        (y)     a member or a special member of the Australian Federal Police; or

        (z)     the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions; or

        (za)     any person employed in the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions; or

        (zb)     any person who delivers services or advice on behalf of the Office of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions; or

        (zc)     the DPP; or

        (zd)     the Chief Crown Prosecutor within the meaning of the Public Prosecutions Act 1994 ; or

        (ze)     any Crown Prosecutor or Associate Crown Prosecutor within the meaning of the Public Prosecutions Act 1994 ; or

        (zf)     the Solicitor for Public Prosecutions appointed under the Public Prosecutions Act 1994 ; or

        (zg)     any person employed in the Office of Public Prosecutions for Victoria; or

        (zh)     any person who delivers services or advice on behalf of the Office of Public Prosecutions for Victoria; or

        (zi)     a prescribed person or body.



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