Western Australian Current Acts Western Australian Current Acts (1) If, in the course
of an investigation referred to in section 32(1)(d), an authorised officer
believes on reasonable grounds that —
(a) it
is in the best interests of the child for the officer to have access to the
child before the child’s parents become aware of the investigation; or
(b) if
the child’s parents were to know in advance about the proposed access,
the proper and effective conduct of the investigation would be likely to be
jeopardised,
the authorised
officer, without informing the child’s parents, may have access to the
child at a school, hospital or place where a child care service is provided,
and remain at the school, hospital or place, for as long as the officer
reasonably considers necessary for the purposes of the investigation.
(2) Before exercising
the power in subsection (1), the authorised officer must notify the person in
charge of the school, hospital or place of his or her intention to exercise
the power.
(3) As soon as
practicable after the authorised officer has had access to the child, the
officer must inform at least one of the child’s parents that the officer
has had such access and the reasons for it.
(4) An authorised
officer does not have to comply with subsection (3) if —
(a) the
officer believes on reasonable grounds that a person may be charged with an
offence involving harm to the child and the officer’s compliance with
the subsection may jeopardise an investigation of the offence; or
(b) the
officer believes on reasonable grounds that compliance with the subsection may
expose the child to harm or a risk of harm; or
(c) the
child has requested that the child’s parents not be informed and the
officer believes on reasonable grounds that it is in the best interests of the
child to comply with the request.