Section 12B

Where it appears to the Director‑General or an authorised officer that there may have been a contravention of any provision of this Act, the Director‑General or authorised officer may serve an information notice to require any person who appears to him or her to be acquainted with the circumstances of the case to furnish the Director‑General or authorised officer (as the case may be), within the time that may be specified in the notice, with information relating to that case in the possession or within the knowledge of that person.

An information notice under subsection (1) must be complied with by giving the required information in writing to the Director‑General or authorised officer, as the case may be.

The Director‑General or an authorised officer may serve a production notice to require any person who is reasonably believed to have any document or article in the person’s possession, custody or control relating to the contravention mentioned in subsection (1) to produce that document or article within the time specified in the notice.

A person who is served an information notice under subsection (1) may decline to furnish the required information if it would have a tendency to expose the person to a criminal charge or to penalty or forfeiture.

A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an information notice under subsection (1), or a production notice under subsection (3), shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

If any person —