Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012

No. 188, 2012

Compilation No. 6

Compilation date: 28 March 2026

Includes amendments: Act No. 4, 2026

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 28 March 2026 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Presentational changes

The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

Self - repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary 1

1 Short title 1

2 Commencement 1

3 Object of this Act 2

4 Guide to this Act 2

5 Extension to external Territories 3

6 This Act binds the Crown 3

7 Definitions 3

Part 2—Establishment, functions and membership etc. of Commissions 6

8 Guide to this Part 6

9 Establishment 6

10 Functions 7

11 Powers 7

12 Commission has privileges and immunities of the Crown 7

13 Membership 7

14 Appointment of members 8

15 Vacancy in membership 8

16 When a Commission ceases to exist 9

Part 3—Investigations of Commissions 10

Division 1—General 10

17 Guide to this Division 10

18 Decision of questions 10

19 How a Commission is informed 10

20 Natural justice 11

Division 2—Investigations 13

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division 13

21 Guide to this Division 13

Subdivision B—Speed of investigations and openness of hearings 13

22 Speed of investigations 13

23 Openness of hearings 14

Subdivision C—Powers in relation to investigations 14

24 Hearings 14

25 Power to summon witnesses, take evidence and obtain documents or other things etc. 16

26 Additional requirements for notices 17

27 Arrest of witness failing to appear 18

28 Search warrants 19

29 Operating electronic equipment 21

30 Expert assistance to operate electronic equipment 23

31 Securing other things 24

32 Occupier entitled to observe execution of search warrant 25

33 Occupier to provide constable with facilities and assistance 25

34 Details of search warrant to be given to occupier, etc. 26

35 Completing execution of a search warrant after temporary cessation 26

36 Completing execution of search warrant stopped by court order 27

37 Copies of seized things to be provided 27

38 Receipts for seized documents or other things 28

39 Return of seized documents or other things 28

40 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment 29

41 Powers of Commission in relation to documents or other things 30

42 Disposal of documents or other things 30

43 Compensation for acquisition of property 30

44 Commission may direct that certain information not be published etc. 31

Subdivision D—Costs and expenses of Commonwealth judicial officer and witnesses 32

45 Costs of legal representation for Commonwealth judicial officer 32

46 Reimbursement of expenses of witnesses 32

Division 3—Report 34

47 Guide to this Division 34

48 Report 34

Division 4—Offences relating to investigations 37

49 Guide to this Division 37

50 Unauthorised presence at hearing 37

51 Failure of witness to appear 37

52 Failure of witness to produce document or other thing 38

53 Refusal to be sworn or to give evidence 39

54 Self-incrimination 39

55 Acts or omissions on different days constitute separate offences 40

56 False or misleading evidence 40

57 Injury to witness 41

58 Preventing witnesses from producing document or other thing 41

59 Bribery of witness 41

60 Fraud on witness 42

61 Obstruction of a Commission 42

62 Failure to provide facilities and assistance 43

63 Unauthorised publication of material 43

Division 5—Protections 44

64 Guide to this Division 44

65 Protection of members, witnesses and lawyers 44

66 Protection in relation to contraventions of prohibitions 45

67 Hearings and evidence of a Commission 45

Part 4—Terms and conditions of membership 46

68 Guide to this Part 46

69 Terms and conditions generally 46

70 Other employment 46

71 Remuneration 46

72 Resignation 47

73 Termination, or cessation, of appointment 47

74 Disclosure of interests by members 48

Part 5—Administrative provisions 49

75 Guide to this Part 49

76 Staff of a Commission 49

77 Consultants 50

78 Counsel assisting a Commission 50

79 Commission to be part of Department of House of Representatives or Senate 50

80 Commission must prepare and keep statements of reasons about search warrants 51

81 Commission may give information, evidence, documents etc. 51

82 Records of a Commission 52

Part 6—Miscellaneous 54

83 Regulations 54

Endnotes 55

Endnote 1—About the endnotes 55

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key 57

Endnote 3—Legislation history 58

Endnote 4—Amendment history 61

An Act to provide for parliamentary commissions to investigate allegations of judicial misbehaviour or incapacity, and for related purposes

1 Preliminary

1 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012.

2 Commencement 1

Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

Commencement information	Commencement information	Commencement information
Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
Provision(s)	Commencement	Date/Details
1. Sections 1 and 2 and anything in this Act not elsewhere covered by this table	The day this Act receives the Royal Assent.	11 December 2012
2. Sections 3 to 83	A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provision(s) do not commence within the period of 6 months beginning on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that period.	12 April 2013 (see F2013L00644)

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this Act.

Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this Act.

3 Object of this Act 1

The object of this Act is to provide for a commission to be established by the Houses of the Parliament to investigate, and report to them on, alleged misbehaviour or incapacity of a Commonwealth judicial officer, so they can be well-informed to consider whether to pray for his or her removal under paragraph 72(ii) of the Constitution.

To avoid doubt, subsection (1) does not imply that:

an Act is needed for such a commission to be established; or

such a commission is the only means by which the Houses of the Parliament can be well-informed to consider whether to pray for the removal of a Commonwealth judicial officer under paragraph 72(ii) of the Constitution.

4 Guide to this Act

Under this Act, the Houses of the Parliament may each pass a resolution, in the same session, establishing a Commission to investigate an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity of a Commonwealth judicial officer (that is, a High Court judge or a judge of the Federal Court of Australia, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 1) or the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2).

The Commission is to investigate the allegation, and report to the Houses of the Parliament, on whether there is evidence that would let the Houses of the Parliament conclude that the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity is proved.

If the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity is proved, and both Houses of the Parliament pray for the removal of the judicial officer, the judicial officer may be removed by the Governor-General in Council in accordance with paragraph 72(ii) of the Constitution.

A Commission is established by force of, and in accordance with, this Act, and the members of a Commission hold office on the terms and conditions provided by this Act. This Act also establishes the rules for an investigation by a Commission, and the requirement for it to report on its investigation to the Houses of the Parliament.

5 Extension to external Territories

This Act extends to every external Territory.

6 This Act binds the Crown 1

This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.

This Act does not make the Crown liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

7 Definitions

In this Act:

acquisition of property has the meaning given by section 43.

Australia, when used in a geographical sense, includes the external Territories.

Australian law means a law (whether written or unwritten) of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.

Commission means a Commission established by force of section 9.

Commonwealth judicial officer means:

a Justice of the High Court; or

a judge or justice of a court created by the Parliament.

Commonwealth or State judicial officer means:

a Commonwealth judicial officer; or

a judge or justice of a court of a State or Territory (other than a Judge or acting Judge of the Local Court of New South Wales or of the Local Court of the Northern Territory).

constable has the same meaning as in the Crimes Act 1914.

conveyance has the meaning given by section 27.

damage includes damage by erasure of data or addition of other data.

dwelling house has the meaning given by section 27.

incapacity has (other than in section 73) the same meaning as in section 72 of the Constitution.

just terms has the meaning given by section 43.

lawyer means a barrister, a solicitor, a barrister and solicitor, or a legal practitioner, of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.

member means a member of a Commission, and includes a presiding member.

misbehaviour has (other than in section 73) the same meaning as in section 72 of the Constitution.

official inquiry has a meaning affected by section 19.

official investigation has a meaning affected by section 19.

parliamentary presiding officer means:

Note: Incapacity has its ordinary meaning in section 73.

Note: Misbehaviour has its ordinary meaning in section 73.

the President of the Senate; or

the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

premises includes the following: a structure, building, vessel, aircraft or vehicle; a place (whether or not enclosed or built on); a part of a thing referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

a structure, building, vessel, aircraft or vehicle;

a place (whether or not enclosed or built on);

a part of a thing referred to in paragraph (a) or (b).

presiding member means a member of a Commission appointed as the presiding member by force of subsection 14(3).

proved, in relation to misbehaviour or incapacity, has the same meaning as in section 72 of the Constitution.

search warrant means a search warrant issued under subsection 28(1).

2 Establishment, functions and membership etc. of Commissions

8 Guide to this Part

The Houses of the Parliament may each pass a resolution, in the same session, establishing a Commission to investigate an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity of a Commonwealth judicial officer.

A Commission is to consist of 3 members, who are nominated by the Prime Minister after consulting with the Leader of the Opposition.

9 Establishment 1

(1) A Commission is established by force of this section if each House of the Parliament passes, in the same session, a resolution that a Commission be established by this Act to investigate a specified allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity of a specified Commonwealth judicial officer.

Note 1: A separate Commission is established each time the Houses of the Parliament pass a resolution in relation to a specified allegation.

Note 2: A Commission might be established to investigate more than one allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity of a specified Commonwealth judicial officer (see paragraph 23(b) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901).

To avoid doubt, such a Commission may be established on or after this section commences to investigate and report in respect of misbehaviour or incapacity that is alleged to have occurred, or begun, before, on or after this section commences.

10 Functions

The functions of a Commission are:

to investigate an allegation referred to in section 9; and

to report to the Houses of the Parliament the Commission’s opinion of whether or not there is evidence that would let the Houses of the Parliament conclude that the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity is proved.

11 Powers

A Commission has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.

12 Commission has privileges and immunities of the Crown

A Commission has the privileges and immunities of the Crown in right of the Commonwealth.

13 Membership 1

A Commission consists of 3 members appointed on the nomination of the Prime Minister.

Before nominating a member, the Prime Minister must consult with the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.

At least one member of each Commission must be:

a former Commonwealth judicial officer; or

a former judge of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.

14 Appointment of members 1

A member is appointed by force of this subsection if each House of the Parliament passes, in the same session, a resolution to appoint the member.

A person must not be appointed if he or she is a Commonwealth or State judicial officer.

A member is by force of this subsection appointed as the presiding member if:

the Prime Minister nominates the member to be the presiding member; and

each House of the Parliament passes, in the same session, a resolution to appoint the member as the presiding member.

A member is appointed on a part-time basis.

15 Vacancy in membership

If at any time a Commission is not properly constituted in accordance with the requirements of section 13 because one or more members have ceased to be a member then, despite section 13:

the Commission continues in existence (even if there are no remaining members); and

the Commission consists of the remaining members (if any); and

the provisions of this Act (other than this section) have effect, at that time, as if the Commission were properly constituted in accordance with the requirements of section 13; and

the Houses of the Parliament must, as soon as practicable after that time, each pass a resolution to appoint replacement members, in accordance with the requirements of sections 13 and 14.

16 When a Commission ceases to exist 1

The parliamentary presiding officers may jointly determine, in writing, that a Commission is to cease to exist if the officers are satisfied that:

the Commission’s functions have been performed; or

the person in relation to whom an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity is being investigated by the Commission has ceased to be a Commonwealth judicial officer (due to retirement, resignation, death or any other reason).

The Commission ceases to exist at the time specified in the determination.

A determination made under subsection (1) is not a legislative instrument.

3 Investigations of Commissions 1 General

17 Guide to this Division

This Division contains rules relating to how a Commission is to conduct its investigations.

In particular, this Division provides the following:

a Commission decides a question in accordance with the majority of members;

a Commission is not bound by the rules of evidence;

a Commission must act in accordance with the rules of natural justice.

18 Decision of questions 1

A question for a Commission is decided in accordance with the opinion of a majority of the members.

If the members are not unanimous, each member’s opinion on the question must be recorded.

Note: If the members are not unanimous, each member’s opinion is included in the report given under section 48.

19 How a Commission is informed 1

A Commission is not bound by the rules of evidence and may be informed on any matter in any manner it thinks fit.

Previous official inquiries and investigations

In considering an allegation, a Commission must consider the outcome of any previous official inquiry or official investigation into the allegation so far as the Commission thinks it necessary or desirable to do so.

The Commission is not (subject to subsection (4)) precluded by:

any other Australian law; or

any privileges of either House of the Parliament;

from obtaining access to the records of evidence given at, or findings made as a result of, such an inquiry or investigation.

(4) Subsection (3) is not intended to limit or otherwise affect the operation of Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987.section 16 of the

Official inquiries and investigations

(5) Without limiting the meaning of official inquiry, that expression includes:

(a) a Royal Commission within the meaning of the Royal Commissions Act 1902; and

a Royal Commission of a State or a Territory; and

a commission of inquiry of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory.

(6) Without limiting the meaning of official investigation, that expression includes:

(a) an investigation into a complaint about a Judge within the meaning of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976; and

(c) an investigation into a complaint about a Judge within the meaning of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021; and

the consideration of a matter by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and

an investigation by the Australian Federal Police.

20 Natural justice 1

A Commission must act in accordance with the rules of natural justice.

Without limiting subsection (1), if an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity is being investigated by a Commission in relation to a Commonwealth judicial officer:

the Commission must:

give the Commonwealth judicial officer particulars of the allegation being investigated as soon as practicable; and

offer the Commonwealth judicial officer a reasonable opportunity to make an oral or written statement to the Commission; and

the Commission must offer the Commonwealth judicial officer reasonable access to any documents or other things (including documents, or other things, seized under a search warrant) received by, produced before, delivered to, or otherwise acquired by, the Commission for the purposes of the investigation; and

if the Commonwealth judicial officer does not attend, or appear at, a hearing of the Commission, or otherwise give evidence to the Commission—the Commission must not draw any inferences adverse to the Commonwealth judicial officer from that fact; and

before the Commission gives a report under subsection 48(1) or (6), the Commission must:

give the Commonwealth judicial officer a draft of the report; and

give the Commonwealth judicial officer a reasonable opportunity to give comments to the Commission on the draft report; and

iii

consider any timely comments that the Commonwealth judicial officer makes to the Commission on the draft report.

2 Investigations

Subdivision A—Guide to this Division

21 Guide to this Division

This Division contains rules relating to a Commission’s investigation into an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity of a Commonwealth judicial officer.

A Commission must conduct its investigation as quickly as proper consideration of the allegation permits. Generally, it must also hold any hearings in public.

A Commission has various powers of investigation, such as the power to do the following:

hold a hearing;

require a witness to appear at a hearing, and arrest a person who fails to appear;

require the production of a document or other thing;

issue search warrants.

The Commonwealth is liable for the reasonable costs of legal representation for a Commonwealth judicial officer in relation to whom an investigation is being conducted. Witnesses are entitled to be reimbursed for their expenses.

Subdivision B—Speed of investigations and openness of hearings

22 Speed of investigations

A Commission must conduct its investigation as quickly as proper consideration of the matters before the Commission permits.

23 Openness of hearings 1

A Commission must hold its hearings in public, but may direct that part or all of its hearings be held in private if it is satisfied that it is desirable to do so:

because it believes the interests of justice so require; or

because it believes the confidential nature of any evidence or matter so requires; or

for any other reason.

Note: For the power to hold a hearing, see section 24.

In considering whether part or all of a hearing should be held in private, the Commission must:

take as the basis of its consideration the principle that it is desirable that hearings should be held in public; but

give due regard to any reasons given to the Commission why the hearing should be held in private.

Without limiting paragraph (2)(b), the Commission must have regard to the effect of holding the hearing in public on the following:

the ability of the Commonwealth judicial officer to whom the investigation relates to perform his or her duties as such an officer;

the independence of the judiciary;

the confidence the public has in:

the judiciary; and

the Commonwealth judicial officer.

Subdivision C—Powers in relation to investigations

24 Hearings

Power to hold a hearing

For the purposes of its investigation, a Commission may hold a hearing at any place in Australia determined by the Commission.

Procedure at the hearing

Subject to this Act, the procedure at the hearing is as the Commission directs.

The presiding member must preside at the hearing.

Attendance by relevant Commonwealth judicial officer

The Commonwealth judicial officer in relation to whom an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity is being investigated by the Commission may:

attend and participate in the hearing; and

be represented by a lawyer at the hearing.

Questioning of witness

At the hearing:

counsel assisting the Commission; and

the Commonwealth judicial officer in relation to whom the allegation is being investigated by the Commission; and

a lawyer representing that Commonwealth judicial officer; and

anyone else authorised by the Commission;

may, so far as the Commission thinks appropriate, question a witness on a matter the Commission thinks relevant to its investigation.

If a person who is a Commonwealth judicial officer or a former Commonwealth judicial officer is questioned under subsection (5), the person is not required to answer.

Private hearing

If the Commission holds all or part of a hearing in private, a person must not be present at the hearing or part unless the person:

is a member of the Commission; or

is counsel assisting the Commission; or

is the Commonwealth judicial officer in relation to whom the allegation is being investigated by the Commission; or

is a person whom the Commission has authorised to be present; or

is a lawyer representing someone described in paragraph (c) or (d).

25 Power to summon witnesses, take evidence and obtain documents or other things etc. 1

A member may, by notice, require a person to do any of the following:

to appear at a hearing of the Commission, at a specified time and place, to do either or both of the following:

give evidence;

produce the documents or other things specified in the notice;

if the person is appearing as a witness at a hearing—to produce a specified document or other thing to a specified member of staff of the Commission at a specified time;

in any case—to produce a specified document or other thing to a specified member of staff of the Commission at a specified time and place.

Note 1: For self-incrimination, see section 54.

Note 2: For protections for those given a notice under this section, see sections 65 and 66.

The notice must:

be in writing; and

be given to the person; and

be, and be given, in accordance with any requirements prescribed by the regulations.

Note: Section 26 sets out additional requirements for notices.

Evidence on oath or affirmation

A Commission may take evidence at a hearing on oath or affirmation. For that purpose:

a member may require a person appearing as a witness to give evidence at the hearing to take an oath or make an affirmation in a form approved in writing by the presiding member; and

a member, or a person authorised in writing by the presiding member, may administer an oath or affirmation to a person appearing as a witness at the hearing.

A person is not entitled to give evidence to a Commission by a statement that is not verified by oath or affirmation.

Exemption of Commonwealth judicial officer etc.

Subsections (1), (3) and (4) do not apply to a person who is:

a Commonwealth judicial officer; or

a former Commonwealth judicial officer.

To avoid doubt, despite subsection (5):

a person who is a Commonwealth judicial officer or a former Commonwealth judicial officer may elect to give evidence after taking an oath or making an affirmation in a form approved in writing by the presiding member; and

a member, or a person authorised in writing by the presiding member, may administer such an oath or affirmation to the person.

26 Additional requirements for notices 1

Before giving a notice under section 25, the member must be satisfied that it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

A time specified in a notice given under section 25 must be at least 14 days after the day on which the person receives the notice.

A notice given under paragraph 25(1)(a) (requiring a person to appear) must:

state that a person giving evidence may have a lawyer present; and

set out the effect of the following provisions:

section 27 (arrest of witness failing to appear);

section 51 (offence for failure of witness to appear);

iii

section 52 (offence for failure of witness to produce documents or other thing).

A notice given under subparagraph 25(1)(a)(i) (requiring a person to give evidence) must set out, so far as is reasonably practicable, the general nature of the matters in relation to which the person is to be questioned, unless the member giving the notice is satisfied that, in the particular circumstances of the hearing to which the notice relates, it would prejudice the effectiveness of the hearing to do so.

Note: A person who is a Commonwealth judicial officer or a former Commonwealth judicial officer cannot be given a notice under section 25 (see subsection 25(5)).

27 Arrest of witness failing to appear 1

If:

a person is given a notice under section 25 requiring the person to appear at a hearing of a Commission as a witness; and

the person fails to appear at the hearing in answer to the notice;

the presiding member may, on proof by affidavit of the receipt of the notice by the person, issue a warrant under this section for the person’s apprehension.

Note: A person who is a Commonwealth judicial officer or a former Commonwealth judicial officer cannot be given a notice under section 25 (see subsection 25(5)).

The warrant is to authorise:

the apprehension of the witness; and

the witness being brought before the Commission; and

the detention of the witness in custody for that purpose until he or she is released by order of the presiding member.

The warrant may be executed by a constable.

If the constable executing the warrant believes on reasonable grounds that the witness is on any premises, the constable may (subject to subsection (5)) enter the premises, using such force as is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances, at any time of the day or night, for the purposes of executing the warrant.

The constable executing the warrant must not enter a dwelling house under subsection (4) at any time between 9 pm on a day and 6 am on the following day unless the constable believes on reasonable grounds that it would not be practicable to apprehend the witness, either at the dwelling house or elsewhere, at another time.

In this Act:

conveyance includes a vessel, aircraft or vehicle.

dwelling house includes a conveyance, and a room in a hotel, motel, boarding house or club, in which people ordinarily retire for the night.

28 Search warrants

Power to issue search warrant

A Commission, or a member authorised in writing by a Commission, may issue a search warrant if:

(a) the Commission or member has reasonable grounds for suspecting that there may be, at that time or within the next 24 hours, on or in any premises, one or more documents, or other things, of a particular kind (documents or other things of the relevant kind) connected with the matter the Commission is investigating; and

the Commission or member believes on reasonable grounds that, if a notice were given requiring the production of the documents or other things of the relevant kind, any of the documents or things might be concealed, lost, mutilated or destroyed.

Note: The Commission must record the reasons for that suspicion and belief (see section 80).

Effect of search warrant

The search warrant is to authorise a constable, named in the warrant, with such assistance as that constable thinks necessary and if necessary by such force as is necessary and reasonable:

to enter the premises; and

to search the premises for documents or other things of the relevant kind; and

to seize any documents or other things of the relevant kind found on or in premises and deliver them to the Commission.

Content of search warrant

The search warrant must state:

the purpose for which the warrant is issued, which must include a reference to the matter the Commission is investigating and with which the documents or other things of the relevant kind are connected; and

whether entry is authorised to be made at any time of the day or night or during specified hours of the day or night; and

a description of the kind of documents or things authorised to be seized; and

the date, not more than 7 days after the date of issue of the warrant, the warrant ceases to have effect; and

the effect of section 33 (occupier to provide facilities and assistance).

Extra effect of search warrant

The search warrant also authorises the constable executing the warrant to seize a document or other thing of another kind if:

the constable finds it in the course of searching for documents or other things of the relevant kind under the warrant; and

the constable believes on reasonable grounds that:

the document or thing is connected with the matter the Commission is investigating; and

it is necessary to seize the document or thing in order to prevent its concealment, loss, mutilation or destruction.

Note: A constable can also secure things under section 31.

No search of premises occupied by Commonwealth judicial officer etc.

This section does not apply to any premises occupied by a person who is:

a Commonwealth judicial officer; or

a former Commonwealth judicial officer.

29 Operating electronic equipment 1

A constable executing a search warrant in relation to premises may:

operate electronic equipment on the premises; and

use a disk, tape or other storage device that:

is on the premises; and

can be used with the equipment or is associated with it;

if the constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the electronic equipment, disk, tape or other storage device is, or contains material, connected with the matter the Commission is investigating.

The constable executing the search warrant may:

seize the equipment and the disk, tape or other storage device if the constable has reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is, or contains material, connected with the matter the Commission is investigating; and

operate electronic equipment on the premises to put the material in documentary form and remove the documents so produced from the premises; and

operate electronic equipment on the premises to transfer the material to a disk, tape or other storage device that:

is brought to the premises for the exercise of the power; or

is on the premises and the use of which for that purpose has been agreed in writing by the occupier of the premises;

and remove the disk, tape or other storage device from the premises.

The constable executing the search warrant may operate electronic equipment as mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) only if the constable believes on reasonable grounds that the operation of the equipment can be carried out without damage to the equipment.

Note: For compensation for damage to electronic equipment, see section 40.

The constable executing the search warrant may seize equipment or a disk, tape or other storage device as mentioned in paragraph (2)(a) only if:

it is not practicable to put the material in documentary form as mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) or to transfer the evidential material as mentioned in paragraph (2)(c); or

possession of the equipment or the disk, tape or other storage device by the occupier could constitute an offence against a law of the Commonwealth.

30 Expert assistance to operate electronic equipment 1

This section applies if a constable executing a search warrant in relation to premises enters such premises to search for material connected with the matter the Commission is investigating.

Securing equipment

The constable may do whatever is necessary to secure any electronic equipment that is on the premises if the constable believes on reasonable grounds that:

there is material connected with the matter the Commission is investigating on the premises; and

the material may be accessible by operating the electronic equipment; and

expert assistance is required to operate the equipment; and

the material may be destroyed, altered or otherwise interfered with if the constable does not take action under this subsection.

The equipment may be secured by locking it up, placing a guard or any other means.

The constable must give notice to the occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier, of:

the constable’s intention to secure the equipment; and

the fact that the equipment may be secured for up to 24 hours.

Period equipment may be secured

The equipment may be secured until the earlier of the following happens:

the 24-hour period ends;

the equipment has been operated by the expert.

Note: For compensation for damage to electronic equipment, see section 40.

Extensions

The constable may apply to the Commission, or a member authorised in writing by the Commission, for an extension of the 24-hour period if the constable believes on reasonable grounds that the equipment needs to be secured for more than that period.

Before making the application, the constable must give notice to the occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier, of the constable’s intention to apply for an extension. The occupier or other person is entitled to be heard in relation to that application.

The 24-hour period may be extended more than once.

31 Securing other things 1

A constable who enters premises under a search warrant may secure a thing for a period not exceeding 24 hours if:

the thing is found in or on the premises in the course of searching for documents or other things of the relevant kind under the warrant; and

the constable believes on reasonable grounds that the thing is:

relevant to an indictable offence; or

(ii) evidential material (within the meaning of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) or tainted property (within the meaning of that Act); and

the constable believes on reasonable grounds that it is necessary to secure the thing in order to prevent it from being concealed, lost, mutilated or destroyed before a warrant to seize the thing is obtained.

The constable may do whatever is necessary to secure the thing, including lock it up, place a guard or secure the thing by any other means.

Extensions

If the constable believes on reasonable grounds that the thing needs to be secured for more than 24 hours, the constable may apply to the Commission, or a member authorised in writing by the Commission, for an extension of that period.

The constable must give notice to the occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier, of his or her intention to apply for an extension. The occupier or other person is entitled to be heard in relation to that application.

The 24-hour period may be extended more than once.

32 Occupier entitled to observe execution of search warrant 1

The occupier of premises to which a search warrant relates, or another person who apparently represents the occupier, is entitled to observe the execution of the warrant if the occupier or other person is present at the premises while the warrant is being executed.

The right to observe the execution of the search warrant ceases if the occupier or other person impedes that execution.

This section does not prevent the execution of the search warrant in 2 or more areas of the premises at the same time.

33 Occupier to provide constable with facilities and assistance

The occupier of premises to which a search warrant relates, or another person who apparently represents the occupier, must provide the constable executing the warrant with all reasonable facilities and assistance for the effective exercise of the constable’s powers.

Note: A person who breaches this section might commit an offence (see section 62).

34 Details of search warrant to be given to occupier, etc.

If:

a search warrant in relation to premises is being executed; and

either:

if the premises are a vessel, aircraft or vehicle—a person is present who is apparently in control of the vessel, aircraft or vehicle; or

otherwise—the occupier of the premises, or a person who apparently represents the occupier, is present at the premises;

the constable executing the warrant must make available a copy of the warrant, and identify himself or herself, to the occupier, person who apparently represents the occupier, or person apparently in control.

35 Completing execution of a search warrant after temporary cessation 1

This section applies if a constable who is executing a search warrant in relation to premises temporarily ceases its execution and leaves the premises.

The constable may complete the execution of the search warrant if:

the warrant is still in force; and

the constable is absent from the premises:

for not more than 1 hour; or

if there is an emergency situation—for not more than 12 hours or such longer period as is allowed by the presiding member under subsection (5); or

iii

for a longer period if the occupier of the premises consents in writing.

Application for extension in emergency situation

A constable may apply to the Commission, or a member authorised in writing by the Commission, for an extension of the 12-hour period mentioned in subparagraph (2)(b)(ii) if:

there is an emergency situation; and

the constable believes on reasonable grounds that the constable will not be able to return to the premises within that period.

If it is practicable to do so, before making the application, the constable must give notice to the occupier of the premises of his or her intention to apply for an extension.

Extension in emergency situation

The presiding member may extend the period during which the constable may be away from the premises if:

an application is made under subsection (3); and

the presiding member is satisfied, by information on oath or affirmation, that there are exceptional circumstances that justify the extension; and

the extension would not result in the period ending after the search warrant ceases to be in force.

36 Completing execution of search warrant stopped by court order

A constable may complete the execution of a search warrant that has been stopped by an order of a court if:

the order is later revoked or reversed on appeal; and

the warrant is still in force when the order is revoked or reversed.

37 Copies of seized things to be provided 1

This section applies if:

a search warrant is being executed in relation to premises; and

one or more of the following is seized from the premises:

a document, film, computer file or other thing that can be readily copied;

a storage device, the information in which can be readily copied.

The occupier of the premises, or another person who apparently represents the occupier and who is present when the search warrant is executed, may request the constable executing the warrant to give a copy of the thing or the information to the occupier or other person.

The constable executing the search warrant must comply with the request as soon as practicable after the seizure.

However, the constable executing the warrant is not required to comply with the request if possession of the thing or information by the occupier or other person could constitute an offence against a law of the Commonwealth.

38 Receipts for seized documents or other things 1

The constable executing a search warrant must provide a receipt for any document or other thing that is seized under the warrant.

One receipt may cover 2 or more documents or other things seized.

39 Return of seized documents or other things 1

The Commission may retain any document or other thing that is seized under a search warrant if it is reasonably necessary for the Commission’s investigation.

Return of seized things

The Commission must return the document or thing to the person from whom it was seized or, if that person is not the owner of the document or thing, to the person who appears to the Commission to be entitled to possession of it, at the earlier of the following:

the earliest time it is not reasonably necessary for the Commission to retain the document or thing for the Commission’s investigation;

60 days after the document or thing was seized.

40 Compensation for damage to electronic equipment 1

This section applies if:

as a result of electronic equipment being operated as mentioned in this Division:

damage is caused to the equipment; or

the data recorded on the equipment is damaged; or

iii

programs associated with the use of the equipment, or with the use of the data, are damaged or corrupted; and

the damage or corruption occurs because:

insufficient care was exercised in selecting the person who was to operate the equipment; or

insufficient care was exercised by the person operating the equipment.

Note: For the definition of damage, see section 7.

The Commonwealth must pay the owner of the equipment, or the user of the data or programs, such reasonable compensation for the damage or corruption as the Commonwealth and the owner or user agree on.

However, if the owner or user and the Commonwealth fail to agree, the owner or user may institute proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia or another court of competent jurisdiction for such reasonable amount of compensation as the court determines.

In determining the amount of compensation payable, regard is to be had to whether the occupier of the premises, or the occupier’s employees or agents, if they were available at the time, provided any appropriate warning or guidance on the operation of the equipment.

41 Powers of Commission in relation to documents or other things 1

A Commission, a member, or a person authorised in writing by the presiding member, may:

inspect any documents or other things produced before, or delivered to, the Commission; and

retain the documents or things as long as reasonably necessary for the Commission’s investigation; and

copy matter that is contained in such a document and is relevant to the Commission’s investigation.

If the retention of a document or other thing by the Commission ceases to be reasonably necessary for the Commission’s investigation, the Commission must, if a person who appears to the Commission to be entitled to the document or thing requests, cause the document or thing to be delivered to that person.

Subsection (2) does not limit subsection 39(2).

42 Disposal of documents or other things 1

The presiding member of a Commission may dispose of a document or other thing seized under this Division if:

a member of staff of the Commission has taken reasonable steps to return the document or thing to a person; and

either:

the member of staff of the Commission has been unable to locate the person; or

the person has refused to take possession of the document or thing.

The presiding member may dispose of the document or thing in such manner as the presiding member thinks appropriate.

43 Compensation for acquisition of property 1

If the operation of section 42 would result in an acquisition of property from a person otherwise than on just terms, the Commonwealth is liable to pay a reasonable amount of compensation to the person.

If the Commonwealth and the person do not agree on the amount of the compensation, the person may institute proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia or another court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery from the Commonwealth of such reasonable amount of compensation as the court determines.

In this Act:

acquisition of property has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.

just terms has the same meaning as in paragraph 51(xxxi) of the Constitution.

44 Commission may direct that certain information not be published etc.

Directions not to publish

A Commission may direct in writing that any of the following not be published:

evidence given before the Commission;

the contents of a document, or a description of a thing, produced before or delivered to the Commission or seized under a search warrant;

any information that might enable a person who has given evidence before the Commission to be identified;

the fact that any person has given or may be about to give evidence at a hearing of the Commission.

The Commission must give such a direction if not doing so might prejudice:

the safety of a person; or

the fair trial of a person who has been or may be charged with an offence against an Australian law.

When direction ceases to apply

If:

(a) a record (within the meaning of the Archives Act 1983) contains any of the things referred to in paragraphs (1)(a) to (d) of this section; and

a direction has been given under subsection (1) not to publish that thing; and

then the direction ceases to apply in relation to that thing.

Subdivision D—Costs and expenses of Commonwealth judicial officer and witnesses

Note: Whether and how the Archives Act 1983 applies to the record depends on regulations made for the purposes of section 20 of that Act.

45 Costs of legal representation for Commonwealth judicial officer 1

The Commonwealth is liable to pay for the reasonable costs of legal representation for the Commonwealth judicial officer in relation to whom an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity is being investigated under this Act.

No other person is liable under any Act of the Commonwealth to pay for such costs.

46 Reimbursement of expenses of witnesses 1

The Commonwealth is liable to pay for the following amount of expenses of a witness who is required to appear, or is appearing, at a hearing of a Commission:

the amount worked out under the regulations;

if there are no regulations for that purpose, and the Commission has determined an amount in writing in relation to that particular witness—the amount determined by the Commission.

Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to the Commonwealth judicial officer in relation to whom the allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity is being investigated by the Commission.

A determination made under paragraph (1)(b) is not a legislative instrument.

3 Report

47 Guide to this Division

A Commission gives its report into its investigation of an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity under this Division.

The report is given to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate for presentation to the Parliament.

A Commission may give a separate report (which is not tabled) in relation to sensitive matters.

48 Report

Giving report to parliamentary presiding officers for presentation to the Parliament

As soon as practicable after a Commission finishes its investigation, the Commission must give a report to the parliamentary presiding officers for presentation to the Parliament.

If the Commission finishes its report after the dissolution of the House of Representatives and before the next sitting of the House, the Commission must give the report to the parliamentary presiding officers as soon as practicable after the next sitting day of the House.

Content of report

The report must:

describe the Commission’s investigation; and

include a full transcript of the Commission’s hearings (subject to subsections (4) and (5)); and

state the Commission’s opinion of whether or not there is evidence that would let the Houses of the Parliament conclude that the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity investigated by the Commission is proved; and

include a record of all evidence before the Commission as it thinks may be relevant for the Houses of the Parliament to consider in determining whether the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity is proved; and

if the members are not unanimous—state the opinion of each member of the Commission of whether or not there is evidence that would let the Houses of the Parliament conclude that the alleged misbehaviour or incapacity investigated by the Commission is proved.

If a Commission holds all or part of a hearing in private, the Commission must determine whether any or all evidence given during that private hearing is included under paragraph (3)(b) in the full transcript of the Commission’s hearings.

(5) If any such evidence is personal information (within the meaning of the Privacy Act 1988), then the Commission may include that evidence in the full transcript only with the consent of the person to whom the information relates.

Separate report on sensitive matters

If the Commission believes that if any of its findings or conclusions, or any of the evidence before the Commission, were to be laid before the Houses of the Parliament:

a person who has been or may be charged with an offence against an Australian law may not receive a fair trial for the offence; or

an investigation of a breach, or possible breach, of an Australian law may be prejudiced; or

the existence or identity of a confidential source of information in relation to the enforcement or administration of an Australian law may be disclosed; or

a person may be enabled to ascertain the existence or identity of a confidential source of information in relation to the enforcement or administration of an Australian law; or

there may be prejudice to the safety of a person; or

those findings or conclusions, or that evidence, would be scandalous or highly personal;

the Commission may include those findings or conclusions, or that evidence, in a separate report, and give that report to the parliamentary presiding officers with a statement of the Commission’s belief.

If the parliamentary presiding officers are given a separate report under subsection (6), they:

must not cause a copy of it to be laid before the Senate or the House of Representatives; and

must make it available for inspection by Senators, members of the House of Representatives, and the person in relation to whom the allegation was investigated by the Commission; and

subject to section 82, must not produce, or disclose, the report to any other person.

Except where it is necessary to do so for the purposes of giving effect to this Act, a person is not to be required:

to produce, or disclose, a separate report given under subsection (6) to a court or tribunal; or

to produce, or disclose, a separate report given under subsection (6) under any other Australian law.

4 Offences relating to investigations

49 Guide to this Division

This Division contains offences in relation to investigations conducted by a Commission.

The offences include:

failing to comply with a requirement of a Commission (such as a requirement to appear, produce a document or other thing, or be sworn or affirm); and

offences in relation to private hearings (such as being present at such a hearing or publishing material from such a hearing); and

giving false or misleading evidence to a hearing; and

interfering with witnesses, or otherwise obstructing a Commission.

50 Unauthorised presence at hearing

A person commits an offence if:

the person is present at a hearing of a Commission; and

the person’s presence contravenes subsection 24(7).

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

51 Failure of witness to appear 1

A person commits an offence if:

the person has been required under a notice given under paragraph 25(1)(a) to appear at a hearing of a Commission; and

the person:

fails to appear as required by the notice; or

fails to attend from day to day.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

Subparagraph (1)(b)(ii) does not apply if a member of the Commission has excused or released the person from further attendance.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

52 Failure of witness to produce document or other thing

Failure to produce when appearing at a hearing of a Commission

A person commits an offence if:

the person is required to produce a document or other thing at a hearing of a Commission under a notice given under paragraph 25(1)(a) or (b); and

the person appears at the hearing; and

the person fails to produce the document or thing as required.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

Failure to produce as required by paragraph 25(1)(c) notice

A person given a notice under paragraph 25(1)(c) must not refuse or fail to produce a document or other thing that the person is required by the notice to produce.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

Exception to subsections (1) and (2)

Subsection (1) or (2) does not apply if:

the person has a reasonable excuse; or

the document or other thing was not relevant to the matter the Commission was investigating.

Note 1: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (3) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

Note 2: For self-incrimination, see section 54.

53 Refusal to be sworn or to give evidence 1

A person who is required to appear, or is appearing, at a hearing of a Commission as a witness must not:

refuse to be sworn or to make an affirmation; or

(b) refuse to answer a question that is asked at the hearing and is relevant to the Commission’s investigation.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

Exemption of Commonwealth judicial officer etc.

Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who is:

a Commonwealth judicial officer; or

a former Commonwealth judicial officer.

Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).

54 Self-incrimination 1

A person is not excused from:

producing a document or other thing as required by a notice given under section 25; or

answering a question at a hearing of the Commission that is relevant to a Commission’s investigation;

on the ground that the production of the document or thing, or the answering of the question, might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty.

However, in the case of an individual, none of the following:

the document or thing produced or the answer given;

producing the document or thing or answering the question;

any information, document or thing obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of producing the document or thing or answering the question;

is admissible in evidence against the individual in civil or criminal proceedings in any court or tribunal of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory other than proceedings for:

(d) an offence against this Act or Crimes Act 1914; orDivision 3 of Part III of the

(e) an offence against any of the following provisions, being an offence that relates to this Act or Crimes Act 1914:Division 3 of Part III of the

(i) Crimes Act 1914 (accessory after the fact);section 6 of the

(ii) Criminal Code;section 11.1 (attempt), 11.4 (incitement) or 11.5 (conspiracy) of the

iii

(iii) Criminal Code (false or misleading information or documents);section 137.1 or 137.2 of the

(iv) Criminal Code (obstruction of Commonwealth public officials).section 149.1 of the

55 Acts or omissions on different days constitute separate offences

If:

a person’s act or omission on a day constitutes an offence against section 50, 51, 52 or 53; and

the person does or omits to do the same thing in relation to a hearing the Commission holds on another day;

each of the acts or omissions constitutes a separate offence.

56 False or misleading evidence

A person must not, at a hearing of a Commission, intentionally give evidence that is to the knowledge of the person false or misleading with respect to any matter, being a matter that is material to the Commission’s investigation.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

57 Injury to witness

A person commits an offence if the person:

uses violence against; or

inflicts punishment on; or

causes damage, loss or disadvantage to;

another person for or on account of the person having produced a document or other thing under a notice given under section 25.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.

58 Preventing witnesses from producing document or other thing

A person (the first person) commits an offence if:

another person is required by notice given under section 25 to produce a document or other thing; and

the first person prevents the other person from producing the document or thing as required.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.

59 Bribery of witness 1

(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:

the first person:

asks for, receives or obtains any property, or benefit, of any kind for himself or herself or another person; or

agrees to receive or to obtain any property, or benefit, of any kind for himself or herself or another person; and

the first person does so upon an agreement or understanding that any person required to produce a document or other thing under a notice given under section 25 will not produce the document or thing.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.

A person commits an offence if the person attempts by any means to induce a person required to produce a document or other thing under a notice given under section 25 not to produce the document or thing.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.

60 Fraud on witness 1

(1) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:

the first person practises fraud or deceit on another person; and

the other person is required to produce a document or other thing under a notice given under section 25; and

the first person practises the fraud or deceit with the intention that the other person will not produce the document or thing as required.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

(2) A person (the first person) commits an offence if:

the first person makes or exhibits any statement, representation, token, or writing to another person; and

the other person is required to produce a document or other thing under a notice given under section 25; and

the first person makes or exhibits the statement, representation, token, or writing with the intention that the other person will not produce the document or thing as required.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.

61 Obstruction of a Commission

A person commits an offence if the person:

insults or disturbs a Commission; or

interrupts the hearings of a Commission; or

uses any insulting language towards a Commission; or

by writing or speech uses words false and defamatory of a Commission; or

engages in conduct that is intended, or likely, to amount to an improper interference with:

the free exercise by a Commission of its authority or functions; or

the free performance by a member of the member’s duties as a member.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

62 Failure to provide facilities and assistance

A person commits an offence if:

the person is subject to section 33 (occupier to provide constable with facilities and assistance); and

the person fails to comply with that section.

Penalty: 30 penalty units.

63 Unauthorised publication of material

A person commits an offence if:

the person publishes material; and

the publication contravenes a direction given under subsection 44(1) (Commission directing that information not be published); and

the direction has not ceased to apply under subsection 44(3) in relation to the material.

Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

5 Protections

64 Guide to this Division

This Division deals with the protections that are provided to those who are connected with a Commission (such as members of the Commission, and witnesses and lawyers who appear at a hearing of a Commission).

The Division also deals with the treatment of hearings and evidence of a Commission under the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987.

65 Protection of members, witnesses and lawyers 1

A member has, in the performance of the functions or the exercise of the powers of a member, the same protection and immunity that a member of a House of the Parliament has in relation to the performance of the functions or the exercise of the powers of a committee of a House of the Parliament.

Subject to this Act, a person who:

is required to:

appear at a hearing of a Commission; or

produce a document or other thing;

under a notice given under section 25; or

is appearing as a witness at a hearing of a Commission;

has the same protection and immunity as a witness before a committee of a House of the Parliament.

Counsel assisting a Commission, or a lawyer representing a person at a hearing of a Commission, has the same protection and immunity as a witness before a committee of a House of the Parliament.

66 Protection in relation to contraventions of prohibitions

Protection for answering question

A person who:

is required to appear, or is appearing, at a hearing of a Commission; and

answers a question at the hearing;

is not liable for a contravention of a prohibition by or under another Australian law on the answer.

Protection for producing document or other thing

A person who is required to produce, or who produces, a document or other thing to a member of the staff of, or to a member of, a Commission is not liable for a contravention of a prohibition by or under another Australian law on the production of the document or thing.

67 Hearings and evidence of a Commission 1

(1) For the purposes of Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987:section 10, and subsections 16(3), (4) and (6), of the

proceedings of a Commission, and the formulation, making or publication of a report, and the report itself, are taken to be proceedings in Parliament; and

evidence before a Commission is taken to be evidence before a committee of a House of the Parliament; and

this Act is taken to be an Act establishing a committee.

(2) Subsection 10(2) of the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 applies as if the reference to section 13 of that Act were a reference to section 63 of this Act.

(3) This section is not intended to limit or otherwise affect the operation of Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987.section 16 of the

4 Terms and conditions of membership

68 Guide to this Part

This Part sets out the terms and conditions of a member of a Commission, such as his or her remuneration, and rules relating to resigning, terminating or ceasing an appointment.

In addition to the terms and conditions provided for specifically by this Part, the parliamentary presiding officers may jointly determine other terms and conditions.

69 Terms and conditions generally

A member holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are jointly determined in writing by the parliamentary presiding officers.

70 Other employment

A member must not engage in any paid employment that conflicts or may conflict with the proper performance of his or her duties.

71 Remuneration 1

A member is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the member is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.

A member is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.

(3) This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

72 Resignation 1

A member may resign his or her appointment by giving a parliamentary presiding officer a written resignation for presentation to the Parliament.

The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the parliamentary presiding officer or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.

If a parliamentary presiding officer is given a written resignation, the parliamentary presiding officer must, as soon as practicable, give a copy of it to the other parliamentary presiding officer.

73 Termination, or cessation, of appointment 1

A member’s appointment may be terminated on any of the following grounds:

the member’s misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity (within the ordinary meaning of those words);

the member:

becomes bankrupt; or

applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or

iii

compounds with his or her creditors; or

makes an assignment of his or her remuneration for the benefit of his or her creditors;

the member engages in paid employment that conflicts or may conflict with the proper performance of his or her duties (see section 70);

the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with section 74 (disclosure of interests by members).

A member’s appointment is terminated by force of this subsection if:

each House of the Parliament passes, in the same session, a resolution on a ground referred to in subsection (1); and

the ground on which the member’s appointment is to be terminated is the same in each resolution.

Member who becomes Commonwealth or State judicial officer

If a member becomes a Commonwealth or State judicial officer, he or she ceases to be a member at the same time.

74 Disclosure of interests by members

If a member of a Commission has or acquires any interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that could conflict with the proper performance of his or her duties in relation to the Commission’s investigation and report:

he or she must disclose the interest to all the persons and bodies recognised by the Commission as parties to the investigation; and

except with the written consent of all those persons and bodies, he or she must not take part in the investigation or preparation of the report.

5 Administrative provisions

75 Guide to this Part

This Part contains administrative provisions relating to Commissions, such as:

the staff, consultants and counsel who are to assist a Commission; and

when information, evidence or documents obtained by a Commission in the course of investigating an allegation of misbehaviour or incapacity may be disclosed; and

rules relating to the records of a Commission.

76 Staff of a Commission 1

The staff of a Commission must be persons:

who are made available to the Commission by a parliamentary presiding officer; or

whose services are made available to the Commission under an arrangement made under subsection (2).

APS employees to be made available to a Commission

(2) The parliamentary presiding officers may jointly arrange with an Agency Head (as defined in the Public Service Act 1999) for the services of APS employees in the Agency Head’s Agency (as defined in that Act) to be made available to a Commission.

While a person is performing services for a Commission under an arrangement under subsection (2):

he or she is taken to be:

(i) engaged under the Parliamentary Service Act 1999; and

(ii) on leave without pay from his or her employment under the Public Service Act 1999; and

he or she must perform his or her functions and duties in accordance with the directions of the presiding member (subject to subsection (4)).

A direction of a presiding member under paragraph (3)(b) is subject to any direction of the Secretary of the Department that the Commission is taken to be part of under section 79 in relation to:

the performance of the Secretary’s functions; and

the exercise of the Secretary’s powers;

under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Parliamentary Service Act 1999.

77 Consultants

A Commission may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, engage consultants to assist in the performance of the Commission’s functions.

78 Counsel assisting a Commission

On behalf of the Commonwealth, a Commission may appoint a lawyer to assist the Commission as counsel, either generally or in relation to a particular matter or matters.

79 Commission to be part of Department of House of Representatives or Senate

For the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, a Commission is taken to be part of the Department of the House of Representatives, or the Department of the Senate, established by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999, as agreed by the parliamentary presiding officers.

80 Commission must prepare and keep statements of reasons about search warrants 1

A Commission must prepare and keep a written statement of reasons in relation to each search warrant issued by the Commission or a member of the Commission.

The statement of reasons must set out the following:

the reasons the Commission or member suspects that each document or other thing to which the search warrant relates is connected with the matter the Commission is investigating;

the reasons the Commission or member suspects that each document or other thing may be on or in particular premises;

the reasons the Commission or member believes that, if a notice were given requiring the production of each document or other thing, it may be concealed, lost, mutilated or destroyed.

81 Commission may give information, evidence, documents etc. 1

This section applies (subject to subsection (6)) to information, evidence, a document or other thing obtained by a Commission in the course of investigating an allegation.

Giving to law enforcement authorities

If the information relates or may relate to a contravention of a law described in subsection (3), or the evidence is of such a contravention, the Commission may give the information or evidence to one or more of the following:

the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, a State, the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory;

the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory;

the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police or of the police force of a State or of the Northern Territory;

the authority or person responsible for the administration or enforcement of that law.

Subsection (2) applies in relation to a contravention of a law if:

the law is a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; and

the contravention is punishable by a criminal, civil or administrative penalty.

Giving to Royal Commissions

The Commission may give:

(a) a Royal Commission within the meaning of the Royal Commissions Act 1902; or

a Royal Commission of a State or a Territory;

the information, evidence, document or other thing, or the content of the document or a description of the thing, if the Commission believes it relates or may relate to a matter the Royal Commission is required or permitted to inquire into.

Giving to the Australian Crime Commission

The Commission may give the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Crime Commission the information, evidence, document or other thing, or the content of the document or a description of the thing, if the Commission believes it is or may be relevant to the performance of the functions of the Australian Crime Commission.

No limit on the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987

(6) This section is not intended to limit or otherwise affect the operation of Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987.section 16 of the

82 Records of a Commission 1

(1) A Commission must give a House of the Parliament possession of the Commission’s records that it no longer needs.

If:

a Commission gives records to a House of the Parliament under subsection (1); and

the parliamentary presiding officers have been given a separate report under subsection 48(6) that they no longer need;

then the parliamentary presiding officers must give the separate report to the House of the Parliament referred to in paragraph (a).

(2) The Archives Act 1983, and regulations made under that Act, apply to a record or report given to a House of the Parliament under subsection (1) or (1A) of this section as if the record or report had been laid before that House and were in the possession of that House.

6 Miscellaneous

83 Regulations

The Governor-General may make regulations prescribing matters:

required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key— E ndnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history— E ndnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under Legislation Act 2003.section 15V of the

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted	orig = original
am = amended	p = page(s)
amdt = amendment	para = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)
C[x] = Compilation No. x	/sub-subparagraph(s)
ch = Chapter(s)	pres = present
cl = clause(s)	prev = previous
cont. = continued	(prev…) = previously
def = definition(s)	pt = Part(s)
Dict = Dictionary	r = regulation(s)/Court rule(s)
disallowed = disallowed by Parliament	reloc = relocated
div = Division(s)	renum = renumbered
ed = editorial change	rep = repealed
exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have	rs = repealed and substituted
effect	s = section(s)/subsection(s)
gaz = gazette	/rule(s)/subrule(s)/order(s)/suborder(s)
LA = Legislation Act 2003	sch = Schedule(s)
LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003	SLI = Select Legislative Instrument
(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given	SR = Statutory Rules
effect	sub ch = Sub-Chapter(s)
(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment	sub div = Subdivision(s)
cannot be given effect	sub pt = Subpart(s)
mod = modified/modification	underlining = whole or part not
No. = Number(s)	commenced or to be commenced
Ord = Ordinance

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Act (Register ID)	Number and year	Assent	Commencement	Application, saving and transitional provisions
Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Act 2012 (C2012A00188)	188, 2012	11 Dec 2012	s 3-83: 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1) item 2 and F2013L00644) Remainder: 11 Dec 2012 (s 2(1) item 1)
Federal Circuit Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments) Act 2013 (C2013A00013)	13, 2013	14 Mar 2013	sch 3 (items 65-69): 12 Apr 2013 (s 2(1) item 14)	—
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2014 (C2014A00062)	62, 2014	30 June 2014	sch 9 (items 198, 199) and sch 14: 1 July 2014 (s 2(1) items 6, 14)	sch 14
as amended by
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2015 (C2015A00036)	36, 2015	13 Apr 2015	sch 2 (items 7-9) and sch 7: 14 Apr 2015 (s 2)	sch 7
as amended by
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 (C2015A00126)	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	sch 1 (item 486): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	—
Acts and Instruments (Framework Reform) (Consequential Provisions) Act 2015 (C2015A00126)	126, 2015	10 Sept 2015	sch 1 (item 495): 5 Mar 2016 (s 2(1) item 2)	—
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory Local Court) Act 2016 (C2016A00026)	26, 2016	23 Mar 2016	sch 1 (items 27, 34, 35): 1 May 2016 (s 2(1) item 1)	sch 1 (items 34, 35)
Statute Update (Regulations References) Act 2020 (C2020A00018)	18, 2020	6 Mar 2020	sch 1 (items 29-31): 6 Sept 2020 (s 2(1) item 1)	—
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021 (C2021A00013)	13, 2021	1 Mar 2021	sch 2 (items 497-499): 1 Sept 2021 (s 2(1) item 5)	—
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (New South Wales Local Court) Act 2026 (C2026A00004)	4, 2026	5 Mar 2026	sch 1 (item 20): 28 Mar 2026 (s 2(1) item 1)	—

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Provision affected	How affected
Part 1
s 4	am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021
s 7	am No 13, 2013; No 26, 2016; No 4, 2026
Part 3
Division 1
s 19	am No 13, 2013; No 13, 2021
Division 2
Subdivision C
s 44	am No 18, 2020
Part 5
s 76	am No 62, 2014
s 79	am No 62, 2014
s 82	am No 18, 2020