(1) In an investigation under this Act, the Ombudsman may make or hold
inquiries.
(2) For the purposes of any inquiry under this section, the
Ombudsman has the powers, authorities, protections and immunities conferred on
a commissioner by Division 1 of Part 2 of the Royal Commissions Act 1923 and
that Act (section 13 and Division 2 of Part 2 excepted) applies to any witness
summoned by or appearing before the Ombudsman in the same way as it applies to
a witness summoned by or appearing before a commissioner, but section 11 (2)
of that Act shall have effect subject to section 21 of this Act.
(3) A
witness appearing before the Ombudsman is to be paid such amount as the
Ombudsman determines, but not exceeding the amount that would be payable to
such a witness if he or she were a Crown witness subpoenaed by the Crown to
give evidence.
(4) The Ombudsman may appoint an Australian legal practitioner
to assist the Ombudsman for the purposes of an inquiry held by the Ombudsman
and the Australian legal practitioner may appear before the inquiry.
