2010-2011

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Home Insulation Program (Commission of Inquiry) Bill 2011

 

No.      , 2011

 

(Mr Hunt)

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the Home Insulation Program, and for related purposes

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2

3............ Act binds Crown................................................................................. 2

4............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 2

5............ Ministerial responsibility for this Act.................................................. 3

Part 2—Commission of Inquiry into the Home Insulation Program      3

Division 1—Establishment and functions of the Commission                  3

6............ Establishment of Commission............................................................. 3

7............ Terms of reference.............................................................................. 3

8............ Report to the Parliament...................................................................... 5

Division 2—Powers of the Commission                                                               6

9............ Hearings.............................................................................................. 6

10.......... Publication.......................................................................................... 6

11.......... Counsel assisting the Commission...................................................... 7

12.......... Power to summon witnesses and take evidence.................................. 7

13.......... Exception to privilege for Cabinet documents..................................... 8

14.......... Self-incrimination................................................................................ 8

15.......... Statement made by witness not admissible in evidence....................... 9

16.......... Arrest of witness failing to appear...................................................... 9

17.......... Search warrants................................................................................... 9

18.......... Powers of Commission in relation to documents and other things.... 11

Part 3—Offences                                                                                                                   11

19.......... Unauthorised presence at hearing or publication of evidence............ 11

20.......... Failure of witnesses to attend or produce documents........................ 11

21.......... Refusal to be sworn or give evidence................................................ 12

22.......... Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences.. 12

23.......... False or misleading evidence............................................................. 12

24.......... Destroying documents or other things.............................................. 13

25.......... Intimidation or dismissal of witnesses.............................................. 13

26.......... Preventing witnesses from attending................................................. 14

27.......... Bribery of witness............................................................................. 14

28.......... Fraud on witness............................................................................... 15

29.......... Contempt of Commission................................................................. 15

Part 4—Operation of the Commission                                                                     15

30.......... Death or incapacity of Commissioner............................................... 15

31.......... Remuneration and allowances........................................................... 16

32.......... Staff of the Commission................................................................... 16

33.......... Protection of the Commissioner and others....................................... 16

34.......... Legal and financial assistance............................................................ 17

35.......... Reimbursement of witness expenses................................................. 17

36.......... Commission may communicate information..................................... 18

37.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 18

 

A Bill for an Act to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the Home Insulation Program, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts: