CRIMES ACT 1914 SECT 55

(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.