ROYAL COMMISSIONS ACT 1902

Table of Provisions

• Long Title

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Short title  
• 1A Power to issue Royal Commission  
• 1B Definitions  
• 1C Application of the Criminal Code  

PART 2--HEARINGS--AND COERCIVE AND OTHER POWERS OF ROYAL COMMISSIONS

• 2 Power to summon witnesses and take evidence  
• 3 Failure of witnesses to attend, produce documents or give information or statements  
• 4 Search warrants  
• 5 Application by telephone for search warrants  
• 6 Penalty for refusing to be sworn or to give evidence  
• 6AA Legal professional privilege  
• 6AB Offences relating to claims for legal professional privilege  
• 6A Self incrimination  
• 6B Arrest of witness failing to appear  
• 6C Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences  
• 6D Rights of witness  
• 6DD Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness  
• 6F Power of Commission in relation to documents and other things  
• 6FA Examination of witnesses by counsel etc.  
• 6G Witness to be paid expenses  

PART 3--OFFENCES

• 6H False or misleading evidence  
• 6I Bribery of witness  
• 6J Fraud on witness  
• 6K Destroying documents or other things  
• 6L Preventing witness from attending  
• 6M Injury to witness  
• 6N Dismissal by employers of witness  
• 6O Contempt of Royal Commission  

PART 4--PRIVATE--SESSIONS FOR CERTAIN ROYAL COMMISSIONS

Division 1--Preliminary

• 6OA Definitions  
• 6OAB Royal Commissions to which this Part applies  

Division 2--Private sessions

• 6OB Power to hold private sessions  
• 6OC Status of private sessions etc.  
• 6OE Certain statements made and documents produced etc. not admissible in evidence  
• 6OEA Protection of Assistant Commissioners  
• 6OF Protection of those who appear, or are authorised to be present, at a private session  

Division 3--Privacy in relation to private sessions

• 6OG Privacy of private sessions  
• 6OH Offence for unauthorised use or disclosure of information given at a private session etc.  
• 6OJ Inclusion of information in reports and recommendations  
• 6OK Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information  
• 6OL No other exceptions under other laws  
• 6OM Relationship with the Archives Act 1983  
• 6ON Protection of certain information given to the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission  
• 6OP Protection of certain information given to the Disability Royal Commission  
• 6OQ Protection of certain information given to the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission  

PART 5--MISCELLANEOUS

• 6P Commission may communicate information  
• 7 Protection to Commissioners etc.  
• 7AA Commission may have concurrent functions and powers under State laws  
• 7A Effect of Royal Commissioner having authority to inquire under foreign law  
• 7B Commission may take evidence outside Australia  
• 7C Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness  
• 7D Certain evidence before a State Commission inadmissible in Commonwealth proceedings  
• 8 Allowances to witnesses  
• 9 Custody and use of records of Royal Commission  
• 10 Institution of proceedings in respect of other offences  
• 15 Costs  
• 16 Evidence of issue of Commission etc.  
• 17 Regulations