Search Legislation

Armed Forces Act 2011

Armed Forces Act 2011

2011 CHAPTER 18

Commentary on Sections

Section 10: Exceeding alcohol limit for safety-critical duties

40.Section 10 adds a new section 20A to AFA 2006. That section creates a new offence where a member of the armed forces exceeds a prescribed alcohol level (the section does not cover drugs) when carrying out a prescribed duty. It also applies when a person might reasonably be expected to carry out such a duty. A duty may only be prescribed if its performance (while the ability to do so is impaired through alcohol) would carry a risk of death, serious injury, serious damage to property or serious environmental harm.

41.Under the new section the relevant duties and limits for breath, blood and urine are to be prescribed in regulations made by the Defence Council. It is likely that prescribed duties will include one relating to aviation and maritime functions and that in relation to such duties a strict limit will be prescribed.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources