Australian Capital Territory Numbered Acts

WITNESS PROTECTION ACT 1996 (NO 65 OF 1996)

TABLE OF PROVISIONS

           Long Title

   PART I--PRELIMINARY SHORT TITLE

   1.      This Act may be cited as the Witness Protection Act 1996.  
   3.      In this Act—“ approved authority” means—  

   PART II--WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM

   5.      The assessment and inclusion of a witness in the witness protection program shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Commonwealth Act for the assessment and inclusion of a witness (within the meaning of that Act) in that program as if each reference in sections 7 and 8 of the Commonwealth Act to the Commissioner were a reference to the Chief Police Officer.  

   PART III--PROTECTING WITNESSES FROM IDENTIFICATION

   6.      Without limiting section 4, the Chief Police Officer may apply for any documents necessary—  
   8.      The Court may make a witness protection order if satisfied that—  
   9.      The hearing of an application under this Part is not open to the public.  
   10.     On the making of a witness protection order of the kind referred to in paragraph 7 (1) (a)—  
   12.     While an entry made under this Act in the Register of Births or the Register of Marriages continues in force, a person in respect of whom the entry is made shall not use or obtain any document issued by the Registrar that is based on the previous entry.  
   17.     The Chief Police Officer shall not obtain documentation for a participant that represents that the participant—  
   18.     The Chief Police Officer may make commercial arrangements with a person under which a participant is able to obtain a benefit under a contract or arrangement without revealing his or her former identity.  

   PART IV--MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCE--DISCLOSURES CONCERNING PARTICIPANTS

   21.     A person shall not, except in accordance with this Act or a complementary witness protection law, disclose information—  
   26.     The Minister may, by notice in the Gazette, authorise an approved authority to exercise functions conferred on the Chief Police Officer under this Act for the purposes of any arrangement entered into by the Chief Police Officer under section 25 or the corresponding provision of a complementary witness protection law.  
   27.     A person is not liable to any action, suit or proceedings (including criminal proceedings) in respect of an act done or omitted to be done by the person in good faith in the exercise or purported exercise of a function conferred by this Act.  
   28.     An offence against this Act, except section 21, is punishable on summary conviction.  
   29.     The Executive may make regulations for the purposes of this Act.