Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

INQUIRIES ACT 1991 (NO 2 OF 1991)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART I--PRELIMINARY SHORT TITLE

   1.      This Act may be cited as the Inquiries Act 1991.  
   4.      This Act binds the Crown.  

   PART II--BOARDS OF INQUIRY APPOINTMENT

   5.      The Executive may, by instrument, appoint 1 or more persons as a Board of Inquiry to inquire into a matter specified in the instrument of appointment.  
   9.      A member ceases to hold office as a member when the Board's report of its inquiry has been submitted to the Chief Minister in accordance with section 14.  
   10.     A person may resign as a member or as the Chairperson by writing signed by the person and delivered to the Chief Minister.  
   11.     The Executive may terminate the appointment of a member for misbehaviour or physical or mental incapacity.  

   PART III--INQUIRIES

   13.     Except as otherwise provided by this Act, an inquiry shall be conducted in such manner as the Board determines.  
   15.     A Board may appoint a legal practitioner to assist the Board as counsel, either generally or in relation to a particular matter.  
   17.     A person who is or has been a member, a member of the staff of a Board or counsel assisting a Board shall not, either directly or indirectly, except in the performance or exercise of a function or power under this Act—  
   18.     In conducting an inquiry, a Board—  
   19.     A statement or disclosure made, or a document or other thing produced, by a witness in the course of giving evidence before a Board, or any information, document or thing obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of the making of the statement or disclosure, or of the production of the first-mentioned document or thing, is not (except in proceedings for an offence against this Act) admissible in evidence against that witness in any civil or criminal proceedings.  
   22.     The Chairperson shall preside at a hearing.  
   23.     Except as otherwise provided by this Act, the procedure at a hearing shall be determined by the Board.  
   24.     Where a hearing is being held in private, a person shall not be present at the hearing unless the person is—  
   25.     At a hearing—  

   PART IV--OFFENCES FAILURE OF WITNESSES TO ATTEND OR PRODUCE DOCUMENTS

   29.     A person shall not, at a hearing before a Board, knowingly give evidence that is false or misleading in a material particular.  
   30.     A person, knowing or having reasonable grounds for believing that a document or other thing is or may be required in evidence before a Board, shall not wilfully—  
   32.     A person shall not wilfully prevent a person who has been summoned to attend before a Board—  
   33.     A person shall not—  
   34.     A person shall not practise any fraud or deceit, or knowingly make or exhibit any false statement, representation, token or writing, to any person called or to be called as a witness before a Board with intent to affect the testimony of that person as a witness.  
   35.     A person shall not—  

   PART V--MISCELLANEOUS DELEGATION OF POWERS

   37.     A Board may, with the written consent of the Chief Minister, by instrument delegate any of its powers under this Act.  
   38.     No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, lies against a person in respect of the publication of a fair and accurate report of the proceedings of a hearing before a Board (except a publication in contravention of a direction under subsection 21 (3)).  
   39.     A witness appearing before a Board is entitled to be paid by the Territory in respect of the expenses of the attendance of the witness an amount authorised in accordance with the Supreme Court scale of costs.  
   40.     The Executive may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters—