Animals (Importation) Act 1983 (NI)

Administered by Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

Legislation au C2015Q00080 In force Continued Law

Legislation content

 

NORFOLK  ISLAND

 

Animals (Importation) Act 1983

No. 12, 1984

Compilation No. 2

Compilation date:   13 August 2019

Includes amendments up to: Norfolk Island Continued Laws Ordinance 2015 (No. 2, 2015) as amended up to Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment (Fees and Other Matters) Ordinance 2019 (F2019L01048)

 

 

NORFOLK  ISLAND

 

 

 

Animals (Importation) Act 1983

 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

 

 1. Short title

 2. Commencement

 3. Repeal

 4. Interpretation

 5. Inspectors

 6. Importation of animals prohibited

 7. Applications for permits

 8. Grant of permits

 9. Inspection of animals

 10. Fishing

 11.  Delegation

 12.  Prosecutions

 13.  Regulations

 

 

NORFOLK  ISLAND

 

 

 

Animals (Importation) Act 1983

 

An Act relating to the importation of animals into Norfolk Island

 

Short title

 1. This Act may be cited as the Animals (Importation) Act 1983.

Commencement

 2. This Act shall commence on a date appointed by the Administrator by notice published in the Gazette.

Repeal

 3. The Importation of Animals Act 1915 is repealed.

Interpretation

 4. In this Act  —

“animal” includes bird and fish;

“inspector” means an inspector appointed under section 5.

Inspectors

 5. The Chief Executive Officer may, by written instrument, appoint inspectors for the purposes of this Act.

Importation of animals prohibited

 6. (1) Except as provided by this Act, the importation into Norfolk Island of an animal is prohibited.

  (2) A person who, otherwise than in accordance with a permit granted under this Act  —

(a) imports into Norfolk Island an animal; or

(b) is knowingly concerned in the importation into Norfolk Island of an animal,

is guilty of an offence.

Penalty: In the case of a natural person  —  imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of 50 penalty units or both;

In the case of a body corporate  —  a fine of 250 penalty units.

  (3) A person who, without lawful excuse (the proof shall lie upon him), has in his possession an animal imported into Norfolk Island other than in accordance with a permit granted under this Act, is guilty of an offence.

Penalty: In the case of a natural person  —  imprisonment for 2 years or a fine of 50 penalty units or both;

In the case of a body corporate  —  a fine of 250 penalty units.

 

  (4)  In proceedings for an offence against this section  —

(a) a certificate signed by the Administrator certifying that no permit had been granted to a person under this Act for the importation of an animal described therein; shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein;

(b) a document certified by the Administrator to be a true copy of a permit granted under this Act shall be prima facie evidence of the contents of any such permit.

Applications for permits

 7. (1) A person may apply to the Administrator for a permit to import into Norfolk Island  —

(a) a specified animal; or

(b) an animal of a specified class or type.

  (2) An application under this section shall  —

(a) be in writing;

(b) contain or be accompanied by such statements or information as the Administrator may require; and

(c) be accompanied by the approved fee.

  (3) A person shall not make a false statement or representation in support of an application under this section.

Penalty: In the case of a natural person  —  imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of 20 penalty units or both;

In the case of a body corporate  —  a fine of 100 penalty units.

  (4) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (3) a statement or representation shall be deemed to have been made by a person if it is contained in a document (whether prepared or made by that person or not) which is tendered by that person in support of an application.

Grant of permits

 8. (1) The Administrator may on application made under section 7 in his discretion  —

(a) grant a permit either absolutely or subject to conditions; or

(b) refuse to grant a permit.

  (2) The conditions to which a permit may be made subject are such as the Administrator in his discretion shall think fit.

  (3) Without limiting the generality of subsection (2) the Administrator may, in considering an application or imposing conditions upon the grant of a permit, have regard to  —

(a) the need to protect Norfolk Island against the introduction of animal‑borne disease;

(b) the potential effect of a proposed importation upon the flora and fauna of Norfolk Island; and

(c) the capacity of the applicant adequately to provide for the care and control of the animal.

  (4) The Administrator may require the lodgement with the Administration of a sum by way of security for the performance of any condition subject to which a permit is granted  and where such security is required a permit is of no effect until the security has been lodged.

Inspection of animals

 9. (1) An inspector may enter upon any vessel or aircraft to inspect any animal prior to the landing of the animal on Norfolk Island.

  (2) An inspector, who suspects upon reasonable grounds that entry onto a vessel, an aircraft or into any premises will provide evidence of the commission of an offence against this Act, may at any time, without warrant, enter onto that vessel or aircraft or into those premises and may take into possession anything thereon or therein which provides evidence of the commission of such an offence.

  (3) An inspector may seize any animal imported into Norfolk Island otherwise than in accordance with this Act together with any hay, straw, fodder, litter or fittings, clothing, utensils, appliances or packages used in connection with such animal.

  (4) Any animal or thing seized under subsection (3) may be destroyed or otherwise dealt with as directed by an inspector.

  (5) No compensation shall be payable in respect of the seizure , destruction, detention or other treatment of any animal or thing pursuant to this section.

  (6) A person shall not obstruct or hinder an inspector in the execution of any function under this Act.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months or a fine of 20 penalty units or both.

Fishing

 10. Nothing in this Act shall render unlawful the importation into Norfolk Island of fish caught in bona fide fishing operations conducted from a vessel operated from Norfolk Island.

Delegation

 11. The Administrator may by instrument delegate the performance of any and all of his functions and powers (excluding this power of delegation).

Prosecutions

 12. All offences under this Act may be prosecuted summarily.

Regulations

 13. The Administrator may make Regulations, not inconsistent with this Act prescribing all matters necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

NOTES

The Animals (Importation) Act 1983 as shown in this consolidation comprises Act No. 12 of 1984 and amendments as indicated in the Tables below.

Enactment

Number and year

Date of commencement

Application saving or transitional provisions

Animals (Importation) Act 1983

12 of 1984

29.4.1984

 

 

Ordinance

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment Ordinance 2015
(No. 2, 2015)
(now cited as Norfolk Island Continued Laws Ordinance 2015 (see F2015L01491))

17 June 2015 (F2015L00835)

18 June 2015 (s 2(1) item 1)

Sch 1 (items 344, 345, 382–396)

as amended by

 

 

 

Norfolk Island Continued Laws Amendment (Statutory Appointments and Other Matters) Ordinance 2018

28 Sept 2018 (F2018L01378)

Sch 1 (item 6): 29 Sept 2018 (s 2(1) item 1)

—

Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment (Fees and Other Matters) Ordinance 2019

12 Aug 2019 (F2019L01048)

Sch 1 (items 9, 10): 13 Aug 2019 (s 2(1) item 1)

—

 

Table of Amendments

ad = added or inserted

am = amended

rep = repealed

rs = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

 

 

5

am

Ord No 2, 2015 (as am by F2018L01378)

7

am

Ord No 2, 2015 (as am by F2019L01048)

11

am

Ord No 2, 2015 (as am by F2018L01378)

13

am

Ord No 2, 2015 (as am by F2019L01048)

 

Overview

The Animals (Importation) Act 1983 was enacted to regulate the importation of animals into Norfolk Island. It was introduced to address the need for stringent control over the introduction of animals to protect the island's unique flora and fauna from potential disease and ecological disruptions. The Act was passed by the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly and came into effect on 29 April 1984. The primary policy objective of the Act is to safeguard Norfolk Island's ecosystem by preventing the unauthorised importation of animals, while also providing a framework for the controlled and monitored introduction of animals through a permit system. The Act has undergone amendments over the years to refine its provisions, with the most recent amendment coming into effect on 13 August 2019, as per the Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment (Fees and Other Matters) Ordinance 2019.

Scope and Application

The Animals (Importation) Act 1983 of Norfolk Island regulates the importation of animals into the territory, aiming to protect the island's ecosystem and public health from potential risks posed by animal-borne diseases. The Act applies to any person or body corporate attempting to import animals into Norfolk Island, with exceptions for fish caught in bona fide fishing operations conducted from vessels operated from Norfolk Island. The Act extends its jurisdiction to the importation of birds and fish, categorising them under the term "animal." The Chief Executive Officer has the authority to appoint inspectors who are empowered to enter vessels, aircraft, or premises to inspect animals and seize those imported in contravention of the Act. The importation of animals is strictly prohibited unless a permit has been granted by the Administrator. The Administrator can grant permits at their discretion, subject to conditions that may include measures to prevent the introduction of diseases and the protection of Norfolk Island's native flora and fauna. The Act also allows the Administrator to delegate certain functions and to make regulations necessary for the Act's enforcement. Offences under this Act are prosecutable summarily, and penalties are prescribed for violations, including fines and imprisonment.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Animals (Importation) Act 1983 (Norfolk Island) lay down a framework for the control and regulation of the importation of animals into Norfolk Island. Section 6 prohibits the importation of animals into Norfolk Island except in accordance with a permit issued under this Act. Section 7 outlines the process for applying for a permit, including the requirement for written applications and accompanying fees, while Section 8 grants the Administrator the discretion to grant or refuse permits, subject to certain conditions designed to protect Norfolk Island’s flora and fauna and to prevent the introduction of animal-borne diseases. Section 9 gives inspectors the authority to enter vessels, aircraft, and premises to inspect animals and seize those that have been imported illegally. The Act imposes several obligations and requirements on parties involved in the importation of animals. Those wishing to import animals must apply for and obtain a permit from the Administrator, providing all necessary information and fees as stipulated in Section 7. They must also ensure that any animals imported comply with the conditions of the permit. Inspectors, appointed under Section 5, have the responsibility to enforce the provisions of the Act, including inspecting animals prior to their landing on Norfolk Island, entering premises or vessels if they suspect an offence, and seizing any animals or related items that are being imported illegally. Breaching the provisions of this Act can result in both civil and criminal consequences. For example, Section 6(2) states that anyone who imports animals into Norfolk Island without a permit, or who is knowingly involved in such an importation, commits an offence. The penalties for natural persons include imprisonment for up to 2 years, a fine of up to 50 penalty units, or both. For body corporates, the penalty is a fine of up to 250 penalty units. Similarly, Section 6(3) imposes penalties on those found in possession of animals imported without a permit. Additionally, Section 9(5) explicitly states that no compensation is payable for the seizure, destruction, detention, or other treatment of any animal or related items pursuant to the Act. Furthermore, obstructing or hindering an inspector in the execution of their duties under this Act is itself an offence, punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months, a fine of up to 20 penalty units, or both, as outlined in Section 9(6).

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Animal Law
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Offence Provisions
Inspectors
Reporting & Disclosure Obligations

Interactions

Authorises

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.