Section 55 — Crimes Act 1914: Written consent of Attorney-General required

(1) A prosecution for an offence against this Part requires the consent of the Attorney-General. (2) Despite subsection (1): (a) a person may be arrested for an offence referred to in subsection (1), and a warrant for such an arrest may be issued and executed; and (b) a person may be charged with such an offence; and (c) a person so charged may be remanded in custody or on bail; but no further step in the proceedings referred to in subsection (1) is to be taken until the Attorney-General’s consent has been given. (3) Nothing in subsection (2) prevents the discharge of the accused if proceedings are not continued within a reasonable time.