154LConcurrent criminal proceedings and pecuniary penalty proceedings

1. This section applies if the same act or omission, or substantially the same act or omission, could give rise to proceedings under section 154H (pecuniary penalty proceedings) and proceedings under any of section 154M to 154O (criminal proceedings).

2. Criminal proceedings may be started whether or not pecuniary penalty proceedings have been started.

3. If criminal proceedings are started when pecuniary penalty proceedings have been started but not completed, the pecuniary penalty proceedings are stayed.

4. Criminal proceedings may not be started if pecuniary penalty proceedings have resulted in the making of a pecuniary penalty order that remains in place after all appeal rights either have not been exercised at all or have been exercised and abandoned or exhausted.