Commonwealth Numbered Acts

INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION ACT 1973 No. 169 of 1973 - SECT 33

33. (1) An inquiry conducted by the Commission shall be held in public and
evidence in the inquiry shall, subject to this section, be taken in public on
oath or affirmation.

(2) If a witness objects to giving in public any evidence that the Commission
is satisfied is of a confidential nature, the Commission may take that
evidence in private if it considers that it is desirable in the public
interest to do so.

(3) The Commission may, if it thinks fit, permit a person appearing as a
witness before the Commission to give evidence by tendering, and verifying by
oath or affirmation, a written statement.

(4) Where the Commission considers that the attendance of a person as a
witness before the Commission would cause serious hardship to the person, the
Commission may permit the person to give evidence by sending to the Commission
a written statement, verified in such manner as the Commission allows.

(5) Where evidence is given by a written statement in accordance with
sub-section (3) or (4), the Commission shall make available to the public in
such manner as the Commission thinks fit the contents of the statement other
than any matter-

   (a)  that the person who gave the evidence objects to being made public;
        and

   (b)  the evidence of which the Commission is satisfied would have been
        taken in private if that evidence had been given orally and the
        witness had objected to giving it in public.

(6) Subject to this section-

   (a)  the procedure to be followed at an inquiry is within the discretion of
        the Commission; and

   (b)  the Commission is not bound by the rules of evidence.