Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Evidence Act 1958 - SECT 29

Where witness must answer questions which disgrace or criminate

29. Where witness must answer questions which disgrace or criminate

No witness shall on the trial of any issue joined or of any matter or question
or on any inquiry arising in any suit action or proceeding whether civil or
criminal be permitted to refuse to answer any question which is relevant and
material to the matter in issue on the ground that the answer may expose him
to any penalty or forfeiture or may disgrace or criminate himself, unless the
court or person having by law or by consent of parties authority to hear
receive and examine evidence is of opinion that the answer will tend to
subject such witness to punishment for treason or an indictable offence.