Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
1. Sections 1 to 3 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table	The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent
2. Schedule 1	The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent
3. Schedules 2 and 3	The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.

(2) Column 3 of the table is for additional information that is not part of this Act. This information may be included in any published version of this Act.

3 Schedule(s)

Each Act that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Nuclear safeguards

Part 1—Main amendments

Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987

1 Subsection 4(1) (paragraph (a) of the definition of associated material)

Omit “the construction or operation of a nuclear reactor”, substitute “nuclear activities, the construction of a nuclear reactor or the production of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices”.

2 Saving of declarations of associated material

(1) This item applies to a declaration that:

(a) declared a class of material to be associated material for the purposes of the definition of associated material in subsection 4(1) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987; and

(b) was in force immediately before the commencement of this Schedule.

(2) The amendment of paragraph (a) of that definition made by this Schedule does not affect the validity of the declaration at and after that commencement, so far as the declaration declared a class of material specially suited for use in the operation of a nuclear reactor to be associated material.

3 Subsection 4(1) (definition of containment device)

After “barrier”, insert “, or other device,”.

4 Subsection 4(1) (after paragraph (a) of the definition of containment device)

Insert:

(aa) a nuclear facility; or

5 Subsection 4(1) (definition of permit)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

permit means a permit under section 13, 16 or 16A.

6 Subsection 4(1) (at the end of paragraph (a) of the definition of surveillance device)

Add “or”.

7 Subsection 4(1) (after paragraph (a) of the definition of surveillance device)

Insert:

(aa) movements of a person or thing past or through a containment device; or

(ab) circumvention of a containment device or surveillance device; or

8 Part II (heading)

Repeal the heading, substitute:

Part II—Control of nuclear material, associated items and related facilities

9 Subsection 12(1)

Omit “under subsection 13(1) or 16(1)”.

10 After section 16

Insert:

16A Permit to establish facility

Grant of permit

(1) The Minister may grant a written permit for work to be carried out to establish a facility described in paragraph 28A(1)(a), but only if the Director’s report under paragraph 12(2)(b) relating to the application for the permit states that the Director is satisfied that:

(a) the applicant for the permit has provided the Director with all information the applicant was required under paragraph 12(2)(a) to provide in relation to the application; and

(b) appropriate procedures could be applied at the facility for the implementation of the Australian safeguards system in relation to nuclear material and associated items to be stored or used at the facility; and

(c) adequate physical security could be applied to nuclear material and associated items at the facility.

Note: Paragraph 28A(1)(a) describes the following facilities:

(a) a nuclear facility;

(b) a facility for the carrying out of nuclear activities;

(c) a facility for the use of associated equipment to which this Part applies.

Restrictions and conditions

(2) The permit is granted subject to the restrictions and conditions specified in it.

(3) The permit may specify restrictions and conditions in respect of:

(a) design of the facility to facilitate:

(i) the operation of the Australian safeguards system in relation to the facility; and

(ii) the physical security of nuclear material or an associated item that is to be stored or used in the facility; and

(b) inspection of the work and the facility by inspectors and Agency inspectors; and

(c) reports relating to the work and the facility (including reports on incidents affecting the work or the facility).

(4) A condition in respect of the doing of an act or thing may be specified by reference to the approval or consent of a specified person being obtained before the act or thing may be done.

(5) Subsections (3) and (4) do not limit the restrictions and conditions that may be specified in the permit.

Variation of permit

(6) The Minister may vary in writing the permit. The variation takes effect on the day on which notice of the variation is given under subsection 22(1) to the holder of the permit or on a later day specified in the variation.

11 Subsections 19(1) and (3)

Omit “granted under section 13, 16 or 18”.

12 Subsections 20(1) and (3)

Omit “pursuant to section 13, 16, 18 or 19”.

13 Paragraph 22(1)(a)

Omit “under subsection 13(1) or 16(1)”.

14 Paragraph 22(1)(b)

Omit “under section 13 or 16”.

15 Paragraph 22(1)(c)

Omit “under subsection 13(10) or 16(9)”.

16 Paragraph 22(1)(d)

After “subsection”, insert “16A(1) or”.

17 Paragraph 22(4)(b)

Omit “, pursuant to subsection 13(2) or 16(2),”.

18 Subsection 23(1)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 5 years.”.

19 Paragraphs 23(1)(c) and (d)

Repeal the paragraphs.

20 Subsection 25(1) (penalty)

Repeal the penalty, substitute:

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

21 After section 25

Insert:

25A Breach of duty to ensure security of associated technology

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person is authorised to deal with associated technology to which Part II applies by the holder of a permit to possess the associated technology; and

(b) the person has not been granted a permit to possess the associated technology; and

(c) the person is required to ensure the physical security of the associated technology; and

(d) the person engages in conduct; and

(e) the conduct contravenes the requirement.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

(2) In this section:

engage in conduct means:

(a) do an act; or

(b) omit to perform an act.

(3) Section 15.1 of the Criminal Code (extended geographical jurisdiction—category A) applies to an offence against subsection (1).

22 Application of new offence

Section 25A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to conduct occurring at or after the commencement of this Schedule, whether the authorisation to deal with the associated technology was given before or after that commencement.

23 Subsection 26(1)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 2 years.”.

24 Paragraphs 26(1)(c) and (d)

Repeal the paragraphs.

25 At the end of section 26

Add:

(5) Section 15.1 of the Criminal Code (extended geographical jurisdiction—category A) applies to an offence against subsection (1).

26 After section 26

Insert:

26A Communication prejudicing security of nuclear material or associated item

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person communicates information to someone else; and

(b) the communication could prejudice the physical security of nuclear material, or an associated item, to which Part II applies.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the communication is authorised by a person who has been granted a permit to possess the nuclear material or associated item.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

(3) Section 15.1 of the Criminal Code (extended geographical jurisdiction—category A) applies to an offence against subsection (1).

27 Application of new offence

Section 26A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to conduct occurring at or after the commencement of this Schedule.

28 Subsection 27(2)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 2 years.”.

29 Paragraphs 27(2)(c) and (d)

Repeal the paragraphs.

30 Section 28

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 2 years.”.

31 Paragraphs 28(c) and (d)

Repeal the paragraphs.

32 After section 28

Insert:

28A Establishment of facility without permit

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person causes work to be carried out to establish a facility that is:

(i) a nuclear facility; or

(ii) a facility for the carrying out of nuclear activities; or

(iii) a facility for the use of associated equipment to which Part II applies; and

(b) the work consists of:

(i) construction of the facility; or

(ii) modification of an existing facility that is not a facility described in paragraph (a); and

(c) the person does not hold a permit for the work to be carried out.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.

(2) To avoid doubt, intention is the fault element for paragraph (1)(a).

33 Application of new offence

(1) Section 28A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to causing work to be carried out after the commencement of this Schedule, even if the work started to be carried out (as a result of that cause) before that commencement.

(2) However, causing work to be carried out in the 6 months starting on the commencement of this Schedule is not an offence against that section if the work started to be carried out (as a result of that cause) before that commencement.

34 Subsection 29(1)

Omit “to construct a nuclear facility or”.

Note: The heading to section 29 is altered by omitting “construction or”.

35 Subsection 29(1)

Omit “construction or”.

36 Subsection 29(2)

Omit “to construct a nuclear facility or”.

37 Subsection 29(2)

Omit “construction or” (wherever occurring).

38 Subsection 29(2)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 2 years.”.

39 Paragraphs 29(2)(c) and (d)

Repeal the paragraphs.

40 Paragraph 29(3)(a)

Omit “construction or”.

41 Subsection 30(1)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 2 years.”.

42 Paragraphs 30(1)(c) and (d)

Repeal the paragraphs.

43 Subsection 31(1)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 6 months.”.

44 Paragraphs 31(1)(a) and (b)

Repeal the paragraphs.

45 At the end of Division 1 of Part III

Add:

31A Unauthorised access to areas etc. to which access is restricted under permit

(1) A person commits an offence if:

(a) the person enters an area or gets onto or into a vehicle, aircraft or ship; and

(b) the holder of a permit is required by a condition on the permit:

(i) to restrict access to the area, vehicle, aircraft or ship to persons who have been authorised by the holder; and

(ii) to mark the area, vehicle, aircraft or ship with signs indicating that entering or getting onto or into it without the authorisation of the holder of a permit is an offence under this Act; and

(c) the area, vehicle, aircraft or ship is clearly marked with signs indicating that entering or getting onto or into it without the authorisation of the holder of a permit is an offence under this Act.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

(2) Strict liability applies to paragraphs (1)(b) and (c).

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person is authorised by the holder of the permit described in paragraph (1)(b) to enter the area or get onto or into the vehicle, aircraft or ship.

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

(4) Section 15.1 of the Criminal Code (extended geographical jurisdiction—category A) applies to an offence against subsection (1).

46 Application of new offence

Section 31A of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 applies to conduct occurring at or after the commencement of this Schedule, whether the permit described in paragraph 31A(1)(b) of that Act was granted before or after that commencement.

47 Sections 33, 34, 35, 36 and 37 (penalty)

Repeal the penalty, substitute:

Penalty: Imprisonment for 10 years.

48 Subsection 40(1)

After “4(1)”, insert “or of information of a kind whose disclosure could prejudice the physical security of nuclear material or an associated item”.

49 Subsection 40(2)

Omit “by:”, substitute “by imprisonment for not more than 5 years.”.

50 Paragraphs 40(2)(a) and (b)

Repeal the paragraphs.

51 Subsection 40(3)

Omit “referred to in the definition of associated technology in subsection 4(1)”, substitute “described in subsection (1)”.

52 Subsection 41(3) (definition of relevant permit)

Omit “under section 13 or 16”.

53 Subsection 58(2) (penalty)

Repeal the penalty, substitute:

Penalty: 1 penalty unit.

54 Subsection 65(1) (penalty)

Repeal the penalty, substitute:

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

55 Subsection 66(4)

Omit “$1,000”, substitute “10 penalty units”.

56 Paragraph 69(1)(a)

Repeal the paragraph.

57 Paragraph 69(1)(b)

Omit “under section 16”.

58 Subsection 69(2)

Omit “under section 13 or 16 or an authority under section 18”, substitute “or authority”.

59 Subsection 69(3)

Omit “under section 13 or 16”.

60 Saving of Register

The amendments of section 69 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Schedule do not affect the validity at or after the commencement of this Schedule of the Register as it was in force immediately before that commencement.

61 Subsection 71(2) (penalty)

Repeal the penalty, substitute:

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

62 Subsections 72(4) and (5)

Omit “under section 13 or 16”.

63 At the end of subsection 72(5)

Add:

; (c) subsection 16A(1) applies in relation to the grant of a permit by the Director acting under the delegation as if that subsection permitted the grant only if the Director is satisfied of the matters described in paragraphs 16A(1)(a), (b) and (c).

64 Saving of delegations

The amendment of subsection 72(4) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Schedule does not affect the validity at or after the commencement of this Schedule of a delegation described in that subsection that was in force immediately before that commencement.

65 At the end of paragraph 73(2)(a)

Add “and”.

66 After paragraph 73(2)(b)

Insert:

(ba) in the case of a permit granted under section 16A—any matter referred to in paragraph 16A(3)(a), (b) or (c); and

67 Paragraph 74(c)

Omit “$1,000”, substitute “10 penalty units”.

68 Paragraph 74(d)

Omit “under section 13 or 16”.

69 Paragraph 74(g)

Omit “under section 13 or 16”.

70 Saving of regulations

The amendments of section 74 of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 made by this Schedule do not affect the validity at or after the commencement of this Schedule of any regulations in force under that Act immediately before that commencement.

Part 2—Consequential amendments

Australian Protective Service Act 1987

71 Subparagraph 13(2)(a)(v)

Omit “27,”, substitute “25A, 27 or 28A,”.

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998

72 Subsection 82(1)

Omit “and 26”, substitute “, 25A, 26 and 26A”.

Schedule 2—Nuclear test ban

Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty Act 1998

1 Section 2

Repeal the section, substitute:

2 Commencement

(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, on the day or at the time specified in column 2 of the table.