Queensland Consolidated Acts Queensland Consolidated Acts(1) A chairperson may, by writing under the chairperson's hand—
(a) summon any person to attend before the commission at a time and place named in the summons and then and there to give evidence; and
(b) require any person to produce to the commission at a specified time and place such books, documents, writings and records or property or things of whatever description in the person's custody or control as are specified in the writing; and
(c) require any person to attend at a specified time and place to give information to, and answer questions asked by, a person authorised in writing by the chairperson; and
(d) require any person to give to the commission within a specified time and in a specified way written information verified as specified.
(2) A person served with a writing under a chairperson's hand referred to in subsection (1) shall—
(a) comply in all respects with the summons and requirements contained in the writing; or
(b) within the prescribed period satisfy the chairperson that the person has a reasonable excuse for not complying as required by paragraph (a);
unless the person is not a person to whom this subsection applies.
Maximum penalty—200 penalty units or 1 year's imprisonment.
(2AA) In subsection (2)(b)—
the prescribed period means—
(a) the period specified in the writing under the chairperson's hand within which the person served with the writing is to satisfy the chairperson as referred to in that paragraph; or
(b) if no such period is specified—at any time before the date on which that person is required to attend before the commission.
(2A) Where a regulation has declared that a chairperson's writing made under subsection (1) is to take precedence over any oath taken, affirmation made, or provision of an Act, which oath, affirmation or provision might afford reasonable excuse for not complying with any writing of a chairperson made under subsection (1)—
(a) the obligation to act in accordance with the oath or affirmation, or with the provision shall not constitute such reasonable excuse; and
(b) the person bound by the oath or affirmation, or by the provision shall not be taken—
(i) to have breached the oath or affirmation; or
(ii) to have committed an offence against the provision; or
(iii) to have rendered the person liable to disciplinary action;
by reason of the person complying with the chairperson's writing.
(2B) A regulation referred to in subsection (2A) may be made whether or not a chairperson's writing has been made under subsection (1) at the time the order is made.
(3) Subsection (2) applies to—
(a) a person who is served in Queensland with a writing under a chairperson's hand, being such as is referred to in subsection (1); and
(b) a person who is served outside Queensland with a writing under a chairperson's hand, being such as is referred to in subsection (1) if that person was present in Queensland or was ordinarily resident in Queensland or had an asset in Queensland, at the time the commission of inquiry was issued or at any time thereafter.
(4) The fact that a person has been served outside Queensland with a writing under a chairperson's hand shall not constitute reasonable excuse for the purposes of subsection (2), if that person is one to whom subsection (2) applies.