The laws give police greater powers when seeking to enter a premises to investigate high risk missing persons cases, ensuring they have all the powers they need at their disposal to keep the community safe.

Under the previous laws, police could only enter and search a premises without the owner’s consent if they reasonably suspected a crime had been committed, a person had died or that a person was in need of medical or other assistance.

The reform expands police powers, by allowing senior police officers to authorise a police officer to enter a premises, vehicle, vessel or other place without the owner’s consent if they reasonably suspect that either a high risk missing person or information that may assist in locating the person is there.

An authorisation given by a senior police officer remains in force for a maximum period of up to 48 hours, until the missing person is located, or the authorisation is revoked (whichever occurs sooner).

The new laws will also allow police to apply to a Supreme Court judge for a warrant to enter and search a premises in relation to a high risk missing person investigation for a longer period in certain circumstances.

The laws are based on similar laws already in effect in Queensland.