(1) The Comptroller - General of Customs may give a notice under this subsection to the holder of a depot licence if:
(a) the Comptroller - General of Customs is satisfied that:
(i) the physical security of the depot is no longer adequate having regard to the matters referred to in paragraph 77K(1)(h); or
(ii) if the licence is held by a natural person--the person is not a fit and proper person to hold a depot licence; or
(iii) if the licence is held by a partnership--a member of the partnership is not a fit and proper person to be a member of a partnership holding a depot licence; or
(iv) if the licence is held by a company--a director, officer or shareholder of the company who participates in the management or control of the depot is not a fit and proper person so to participate; or
(v) an employee of the holder of the licence who participates in the management or control of the depot is not a fit and proper person so to participate; or
(vi) if the licence is held by a company--the company is not a fit and proper company to hold a depot licence; or
(vii) a condition to which the licence is subject has not been complied with; or
(viii) a licence charge payable in respect of the grant of the depot remains unpaid more than 30 days after the grant of the licence; or
(b) the Comptroller - General of Customs is satisfied on any other grounds that it is necessary to cancel the licence for the protection of the revenue or for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the Customs Acts, any other law of the Commonwealth prescribed by the regulations or a law of a State or Territory prescribed by the regulations.
(2) In deciding whether a person is a fit and proper person for the purposes of subparagraphs (1)(a)(ii) to (v), the Comptroller - General of Customs must have regard to:
(a) whether or not the person is an insolvent under administration; and
(b) any conviction of the person of an offence against this Act, or of an offence against another law of the Commonwealth, or a law of a State or of a Territory, punishable by imprisonment for one year or longer, that is committed:
(i) if the licence has not been renewed previously--after the grant of the licence or within 10 years immediately before the grant of the licence; or
(ii) if the licence has been renewed on one or more occasions--after the renewal or latest renewal of the licence or within 10 years immediately before that renewal; and
(c) any misleading statement made under section 77H or 77J in relation to the application for the depot licence by or in relation to the person; and
(d) if any such statement made by the person was false--whether the person knew that the statement was false; and
(e) whether the person has been refused a transport security identification card, or has had such a card suspended or cancelled:
(i) if the licence has not been renewed previously--after the grant of the licence or within 10 years immediately before the grant of the licence; or
(ii) if the licence has been renewed on one or more occasions--after the renewal or latest renewal of the licence or within 10 years immediately before that renewal.
(3) In deciding whether a company is a fit and proper company for the purposes of subparagraph (1)(a)(vi), the Comptroller - General of Customs must have regard to:
(a) the matters referred to in paragraphs 77K(3)(c) to (g); and
(b) any conviction of the company of an offence against this Act or of an offence against another law of the Commonwealth, or a law of a State or of a Territory, punishable by a fine of $5,000 or more, that is committed:
(i) if the licence has not been renewed previously--after the grant of the licence or within 10 years immediately before the grant of the licence; or
(ii) if the licence has been renewed on one or more occasions--after the renewal or the latest renewal of the licence or within 10 years immediately before that renewal;
and at a time when a person who is presently a director, officer or shareholder of the company was a director, officer or shareholder of the company.
(4) The notice under subsection (1) must be in writing and must be:
(a) served, either personally or by post, on the holder of the depot licence; or
(b) served personally on a person who, at the time of service, apparently participates in the management or control of the depot.
(5) The notice under subsection (1):
(a) must state that, if the holder of the depot licence wishes to prevent the cancellation of the licence, he or she may, within 7 days after the day on which the notice is served, give to the Comptroller - General of Customs at an address specified in the notice a written statement showing cause why the licence should not be cancelled; and
(b) may, if it appears to the Comptroller - General of Customs to be necessary to do so:
(i) for the protection of the revenue; or
(ii) for ensuring compliance with the Customs Acts, any other law of the Commonwealth prescribed by the regulations or a law of a State or Territory prescribed by the regulations;
state that the licence is suspended.
(6) If the notice under subsection (1) states that the depot licence is suspended, the licence is suspended on and from the service of the notice.
Note: For revocation of the suspension, see section 77VB.
(7) Despite the giving of a notice under subsection (1) in relation to a depot licence, nothing in this Part prevents:
(a) the Comptroller - General of Customs giving a notice under subsection 77T(1) in relation to the renewal of the licence; or
(b) the holder of the licence obtaining a renewal of the licence by paying a depot licence charge in accordance with section 77T.
Note: A depot licence charge paid in the circumstances described in this subsection may be refunded under section 77W.