Commonwealth Numbered Acts

CENSUS INFORMATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT ACT 2006 (NO. 10, 2006) - SCHEDULE 2

Census and Statistics Act 1905

1  Subsection 13(1)

Omit “by instrument in writing,”, substitute “by legislative instrument,”.

2  Subsections 13(4) and (5)

Repeal the subsections.

3  Sections 14 and 15

Repeal the sections, substitute:

14   Failure to answer questions etc.

             (1)  A person commits an offence if:

                     (a)  the person is served a direction under subsection 10(4) or 11(2); and

                     (b)  the person fails to comply with the direction.

Penalty:  One penalty unit.

             (2)  Subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Note 1:       For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code .

Note 2:       A person commits an offence in respect of each day until the person complies with the direction (see section 4K of the Crimes Act 1914 ).

             (3)  Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a person’s failure to answer a question, or to supply particulars, relating to the person’s religious beliefs.

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

15   False or misleading statements or information

                   A person commits an offence if:

                     (a)  the person:

                              (i)  is required, requested or directed to fill up and supply particulars under subsection 10(2), (3) or (4); or

                             (ii)  is requested or directed to answer a question under subsection 11(1) or (2); and

                     (b)  the person makes a statement, either orally or in writing, or provides a document containing information, in connection with the requirement, request or direction; and

                     (c)  the person knows that the statement or information is false or misleading in a material particular.

Penalty:  10 penalty units.

4  Section 19

Repeal the section, substitute:

19   Secrecy

             (1)  A person commits an offence if:

                     (a)  the person is, or has been, the Statistician or an officer; and

                     (b)  the person, either directly or indirectly, divulges or communicates to another person (other than the person from whom the information was obtained) any information given under this Act.

Penalty:  120 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.

             (2)  Subsection (1) does not apply if the person divulges or communicates the information:

                     (a)  in accordance with a determination under section 13; or

                     (b)  for the purposes of this Act.

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

             (3)  A person commits an offence if:

                     (a)  the person gives an undertaking of a kind mentioned in paragraph 13(2)(c), in relation to information disclosed to the person in accordance with a determination; and

                     (b)  the person fails to comply with the undertaking.

Penalty:  120 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.

5  Section 20

Omit “subsection 19(2)” (wherever occurring), substitute “section 19”.

Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 3 November 2005

Senate on 7 December 2005