Western Australian Consolidated Acts

CONSUMER AFFAIRS ACT 1971 - SECT 23O

23O .         Powers of Committee in investigating referred questions

        (1)         The Committee, in considering the question — 

            (a)         may make such investigations as it considers necessary to enable it to make a recommendation with respect to the question;

            (b)         shall take into account any representations made to it by any person who, in its opinion, has a substantial interest in the subject-matter of the question or by any body which, in its opinion, represents a substantial number of persons who have such an interest; and

            (c)         unless in all the circumstances the Committee does not consider that it is reasonably practicable to do so, shall permit any such person or body to be heard orally by the Committee, or by a member of the Committee nominated by the Committee for the purpose.

        (2)         The Committee may determine its own procedure for considering any question, and in particular may determine — 

            (a)         the extent, if any, to which persons interested or claiming to be interested in a question are allowed to be present or to be heard, either by themselves or by their representatives, or to cross-examine witnesses or otherwise participate in the consideration of the question; and

            (b)         the extent, if any, to which the Committee shall hold its proceedings in public.

        (3)         In determining its procedure under subsection (2), the Committee shall act in accordance with any general directions which may be given it by the Minister.

        [Section 23O inserted by No. 90 of 1978 s. 7.]