Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

SOCIAL SECURITY (ADMINISTRATION) ACT 1999 - SECT 163

             (1)  If a party to a review has informed the Principal Member that the party does not intend to make oral submissions to the SSAT, the SSAT may proceed to hear the application for review without oral submissions from the party.

             (2)  If:

                     (a)  the Principal Member has determined that oral submissions to the SSAT by a party or a party's representative are to be made by telephone or by means of other electronic communications equipment; and

                     (b)  on the day fixed for the hearing the presiding member has been unable to contact the party or the party's representative, as the case may, after taking reasonable steps to do so;

the Principal Member may authorise the SSAT to proceed to hear the application without oral submissions from the party or the party's representative, as the case may be.

             (3)  If:

                     (a)  the Principal Member has not determined that oral submissions to the SSAT by a party or a party's representative are to be made by telephone or by means of other electronic communications equipment; and

                     (b)  the party or the party's representative, as the case may be, does not attend the hearing at the time fixed for the hearing;

the Principal Member may authorise the SSAT to proceed to hear the application without oral submissions from the party or the party's representative, as the case may be.

             (4)  If the Principal Member gives an authorisation under subsection (2) or (3), the SSAT may proceed to hear the application in accordance with the authorisation.

             (5)  The Principal Member may revoke an authorisation under subsection (2) or (3).