Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

ROYAL COMMISSIONS ACT 1991 (NO 1 OF 1991)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART I--PRELIMINARY SHORT TITLE

   1.      This Act may be cited as the Royal Commissions Act 1991.  
   4.      This Act binds the Crown.  

   PART II--ROYAL COMMISSIONS APPOINTMENT

   5.      The Executive may, by instrument published in the Gazette, appoint 1 or more persons as a Royal Commission to inquire into a matter specified in the instrument of appointment.  
   7.      A Commissioner holds office on such terms and conditions in relation to matters not provided for by this Act as are determined in writing by the Executive.  
   9.      A Commissioner ceases to hold office as a Commissioner—  
   10.     A person may resign as a Commissioner or as the Chairperson by writing signed by the person and delivered to the Chief Minister.  
   11.     The Executive may terminate the appointment of a Commissioner for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.  

   PART III--INQUIRIES TERMS OF REFERENCE

   14.     Except as otherwise provided by this Act, an inquiry shall be conducted in such manner as the Commission determines.  

   PART IV--PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSIONS

   18.     A Commission may appoint a legal practitioner to assist the Commission as counsel, either generally or in relation to a particular matter.  
   21.     Where, in the course of an inquiry, a Commission obtains information that relates or may relate to the commission of an offence, or evidence of the commission of an offence, against a law of the Territory, the Commonwealth, a State or another Territory, the Commission may, if in its opinion it is appropriate to do so, communicate the information or furnish the evidence to—  
   23.     In conducting its proceedings, a Commission—  
   24.     A statement or disclosure made, or a document or other thing produced, by a witness in the course of giving evidence before a Commission, or any information, document or thing obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of the making of the statement or disclosure, or of the production of the first-mentioned document or thing, is not (except in proceedings for an offence against this Act) admissible in evidence against that witness in any civil or criminal proceedings.  
   27.     A Commission has power to do all things necessary or incidental to the performance of its functions.  
   29.     The Chairperson shall preside at a hearing.  
   30.     Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the procedure at a hearing shall be determined by the Commission.  
   32.     Where a hearing is being held in private, a person shall not be present at the hearing unless the person is—  
   33.     At a hearing—  

   PART V--OFFENCES FAILURE OF WITNESSES TO ATTEND OR PRODUCE DOCUMENTS

   38.     A person shall not, at a hearing before a Commission, knowingly give evidence that is false or misleading in a material particular.  
   39.     A person, knowing or having reasonable grounds for believing that a document or other thing is or may be required in evidence before a Commission, shall not wilfully—  
   41.     A person shall not wilfully prevent a person who has been summoned to attend before a Commission—  
   42.     A person shall not—  
   43.     A person shall not practise any fraud or deceit, or knowingly make or exhibit any false statement, representation, token or writing, to any person called or to be called as a witness before a Commission with intent to affect the testimony of that person as a witness.  
   44.     A person shall not—  

   PART VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROTECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICERS

   47.     A person who is or has been—  
   48.     No proceedings for an injunction, declaration or writ of mandamus, prohibition or certiorari shall be brought against a Commission.  
   49.     No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, lies against a person in respect of the publication of a fair and accurate report of the proceedings of a hearing before a Board (except a publication in contravention of a direction under subsection 28 (3)).  
   50.     A witness appearing before a Commission is entitled to be paid by the Territory in respect of the expenses of the attendance of the witness an amount authorised in accordance with the Supreme Court scale of costs.  
   51.     The Executive may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters—