PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES ACT 1987 - SECT 12 Protection of witnesses

PARLIAMENTARY PRIVILEGES ACT 1987 - SECT 12

  (1)   A person shall not, by fraud, intimidation, force or threat, by the offer or promise of any inducement or benefit, or by other improper means, influence another person in respect of any evidence given or to be given before a House or a committee, or induce another person to refrain from giving any such evidence.

Penalty:  

  (a)   in the case of a natural person, imprisonment for 6 months or 50 penalty units ; or

  (b)   in the case of a corporation, 250 penalty units .

  (2)   A person shall not inflict any penalty or injury upon, or deprive of any benefit, another person on account of:

  (a)   the giving or proposed giving of any evidence; or

  (b)   any evidence given or to be given;

before a House or a committee.

Penalty:  

  (a)   in the case of a natural person, imprisonment for 6 months or 50 penalty units ; or

  (b)   in the case of a corporation, 250 penalty units .

  (3)   This section does not prevent the imposition of a penalty by a House in respect of an offence against a House or by a court in respect of an offence against an Act establishing a committee.