Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

QUARANTINE ACT 1908 - SECT 20

             (1)  The master of an overseas vessel arriving in Australia, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island is guilty of an offence if the master permits the vessel to enter a place in Australia, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island other than a port declared to be a first port of entry, a first Cocos Islands port of entry or a first Christmas Island port of entry, as the case may be.

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.

          (1A)  Subsection (1) does not apply if the entry is made with the permission of the Minister given under section 20AA.

Note:          A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1A) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

          (1A)  Subsection (1) does not apply if the entry is made with the permission of the Minister given under section 20AA.

Note:          A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (1A) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code ).

             (2)  The master of an overseas vessel arriving in Australia, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island is guilty of an offence if the master permits the vessel to be:

                     (a)  beached in Australia, the Cocos Islands or Christmas Island; or

                     (b)  moored, anchored or otherwise secured in waters on the landward side of the baseline of the territorial sea of Australia, of the Cocos Islands or of Christmas Island;

otherwise than at a port.

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.

Note:          The master will not be guilty of an offence if the prohibited conduct was due to sudden or extraordinary emergency (see section 10.3 of the Criminal Code ).