Commonwealth Consolidated Acts Commonwealth Consolidated Acts(1) A person who is a defence member or a defence civilian commits an offence if:
(a) the person loses any property; and
(b) the property is, or forms part of, service property issued for the person's use, or entrusted to the person's care, in connection with the person's duties.
Maximum punishment: Imprisonment for 6 months.
(2) Absolute liability applies to paragraph (1)(a).
Note: For absolute liability , see section 6.2 of the Criminal Code .
(3) It is a defence if the person proves that he or she took reasonable steps for the safe - keeping of the lost property.
Note: The defendant bears a legal burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3). See section 13.4 of the Criminal Code .