Western Australian Current Acts

MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1981 - SECT 20N

20N .         Border Search Area (BSA)

        (1)         For the purposes of this Act, a Border Search Area ( BSA ) is an area —

            (a)         described in Schedule 6A Division 1; and

            (b)         shown for information purposes in a plan in Schedule 6A Division 2.

        (2)         The power in section 42(1A)(a) cannot be exercised in relation to Schedule 6A to modify a BSA except on the recommendation of the Minister.

        (3)         The Minister cannot make the recommendation under subsection (2) unless —

            (a)         the Minister has the approval of the Attorney General to make the recommendation; and

            (b)         the Minister is satisfied of the matters referred to in subsection (4).

        (4)         The Minister must be satisfied that —

            (a)         the modification is necessary for the ongoing effectiveness of the BSA in reducing the transport into the State of any of the following —

                  (i)         a prohibited drug;

                  (ii)         a prohibited plant;

                  (iii)         a controlled precursor;

                and

            (b)         the proposed modified BSA —

                  (i)         is not larger than is reasonably necessary for the effective exercise of the powers in Division 3; and

                  (ii)         in any event, does not exceed 5 km ² in area.

        (5)         The Minister can be satisfied of the matters referred to in subsection (4) only after consultation with each of the following —

            (a)         the Minister responsible for the administration of the Local Government Act 1995 ;

            (b)         the Minister responsible for the administration of the Port Authorities Act 1999 ;

            (c)         the Minister responsible for the administration of the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966 .

        (6)         The power in section 42(1A)(b) cannot be exercised in relation to Schedule 6A to establish a new BSA except on the recommendation of the Minister.

        (7)         The Minister cannot make the recommendation under subsection (6) unless —

            (a)         the Minister has the approval of the Attorney General to make the recommendation; and

            (b)         the Minister is satisfied of the matters referred to in subsection (8).

        (8)         The Minister must be satisfied that —

            (a)         there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the area comprising the proposed new BSA is being, or is likely to be, used for the transport into the State of any of the following —

                  (i)         a prohibited drug;

                  (ii)         a prohibited plant;

                  (iii)         a controlled precursor;

                and

            (b)         the proposed new BSA —

                  (i)         is not larger than is reasonably necessary for the effective exercise of the powers in Division 3; and

                  (ii)         in any event, does not exceed 5 km ² in area.

        (9)         The Minister can be satisfied of the matters referred to in subsection (8) only after consultation with each of the following —

            (a)         the Minister responsible for the administration of the Local Government Act 1995 ;

            (b)         the Minister responsible for the administration of the Port Authorities Act 1999 ;

            (c)         the Minister responsible for the administration of the Transport Co-ordination Act 1966 .

        [Section 20N inserted: No. 16 of 2023 s. 6.]

        [Heading inserted: No. 16 of 2023 s. 6.]