Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

CRIMES ACT 1914 - SECT 3M

  (1)   This section applies if:

  (a)   as a result of equipment being operated as mentioned in section   3K, 3L or 3LAA:

  (i)   damage is caused to the equipment; or

  (ii)   damage is caused to data recorded on the equipment or data access to which was obtained from the operation of the equipment; or

  (iii)   programs associated with the use of the equipment, or with the use of the data, are damaged or corrupted; and

  (b)   the damage or corruption occurs because:

  (i)   insufficient care was exercised in selecting the person who was to operate the equipment; or

  (ii)   insufficient care was exercised by the person operating the equipment.

  (2)   The Commonwealth must pay the owner of the equipment, or the user of the data or programs, such reasonable compensation for the damage or corruption as the Commonwealth and the owner or user agree on.

  (3)   However, if the owner or user and the Commonwealth fail to agree, the owner or user may institute proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction for such reasonable amount of compensation as the court determines.

  (4)   In determining the amount of compensation payable, regard is to be had to whether any of the following persons, if they were available at the time, provided any appropriate warning or guidance on the operation of the equipment:

  (a)   if the equipment was operated under a warrant issued in relation to premises--the occupier of the premises, or the occupier's employees or agents;

  (b)   if the equipment was operated under a warrant issued in relation to a person--that person, or that person's agents.

  (5)   Compensation is payable out of money appropriated by the Parliament.

  (6)   For the purposes of subsection   (1):

"damage" , in relation to data, includes damage by erasure of data or addition of other data.