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Bill
- Part 1—Preliminary
- Part 2—The National Integrity Commission
- Part 3—Dealing with corruption issues
- Part 4—Investigations by the National Integrity Commissioner
- Part 5—Public inquiries into corruption issues
- Part 6—National Integrity Commissioner’s powers in conducting investigations and public inquiries
- Part 7—Dealing with evidence and information obtained in investigation or public inquiry
- Part 8—Independent Parliamentary Advisor
- Part 9—Administrative provisions
- Part 10—Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Integrity Commission
- Part 11—Miscellaneous
- Schedule 1—Amendments
2010-2011-2012
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Presented and read a first time
National Integrity Commissioner Bill 2012
No. , 2012
(Mr Bandt)
A Bill for an Act to establish the office of the National Integrity Commissioner, and for related purposes
Contents
1............ Short title............................................................................................. 1
2............ Commencement................................................................................... 2
3............ Objects of Act..................................................................................... 2
4............ Saving of powers, privileges and immunities...................................... 3
5............ Application of Act............................................................................... 3
6............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 3
7............ Meaning of corrupt conduct ............................................................... 7
8............ Meaning of corruption issue ............................................................. 10
Part 2—The National Integrity Commission 11
Division 1—Introduction 11
9............ Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 11
Division 2—Establishment 13
10.......... Establishment.................................................................................... 13
11.......... Definition of integrity officers ........................................................... 13
Division 3—Functions and powers of the integrity officers 14
12.......... Definition of national integrity commissioner functions ................... 14
13.......... Definition of law enforcement integrity commissioner functions ...... 15
14.......... Definition of independent parliamentary advisor functions .............. 15
15.......... Functions and powers of the National Integrity Commissioner........ 16
16.......... Functions and powers of the Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner 17
17.......... Functions and powers of the Independent Parliamentary Advisor.... 17
Part 3—Dealing with corruption issues 18
Division 1—Introduction 18
18.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 18
Division 2—Referring corruption issues to National Integrity Commissioner 19
19.......... Referral of corruption issues............................................................. 19
20.......... Person making referral under section 19 may elect to be kept informed 20
Division 3—How National Integrity Commissioner deals with referred corruption issues 21
21.......... How National Integrity Commissioner may deal with referred corruption issues 21
22.......... Advising person who refers corruption issue of decision about how to deal with corruption issue 21
23.......... Advising person to whom referred corruption issue relates of decision about how to deal with corruption issue 23
Division 4—National Integrity Commissioner dealing with corruption issues on own initiative 24
24.......... National Integrity Commissioner may deal with corruption issues on own initiative 24
25.......... Advising head of Commonwealth agency of decision to deal with corruption issue on own initiative 24
26.......... Advising person of decision to deal with corruption issue on own initiative 25
Division 5—Reconsidering how to deal with a corruption issue 27
27.......... Reconsidering how to deal with a corruption issue........................... 27
Part 4—Investigations by the National Integrity Commissioner 28
Division 1—Introduction 28
28.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 28
Division 2—Investigation 29
29.......... Application of Division..................................................................... 29
30.......... National Integrity Commissioner to determine manner of conducting investigation 29
31.......... Opportunity to be heard.................................................................... 29
Division 3—Reporting 31
Subdivision A—Reporting during investigation 31
32.......... National Integrity Commissioner to keep person who referred corruption issue informed of progress of investigation.......................................................................................................... 31
Subdivision B—Reporting at the end of investigation 31
33.......... Report on investigation..................................................................... 31
34.......... National Integrity Commissioner to give report to Prime Minister.... 33
35.......... Advising person who referred corruption issue of outcome of the investigation 33
36.......... Advising person whose conduct is investigated of outcome of the investigation 35
Part 5—Public inquiries into corruption issues 37
Division 1—Introduction 37
37.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 37
Division 2—Conducting a public inquiry 38
38.......... National Integrity Commissioner may conduct public inquiry.......... 38
39.......... Publicising inquiry............................................................................ 38
Division 3—Reporting 39
40.......... Report on public inquiry................................................................... 39
41.......... Giving report to Prime Minister........................................................ 40
Part 6—National Integrity Commissioner’s powers in conducting investigations and public inquiries 41
Division 1—Introduction 41
42.......... Guide to this Part.............................................................................. 41
Division 2—Requiring people to give information or produce documents or things 42
Subdivision A—Requests by National Integrity Commissioner 42
43.......... Request to person to give information or produce documents or things 42
44.......... National Integrity Commissioner may retain documents and things.. 43
Subdivision B—Offence and related provisions 43
45.......... Failure to comply with National Integrity Commissioner’s request.. 43
46.......... Legal professional privilege—information........................................ 44
47.......... Legal professional privilege—documents or things.......................... 45
48.......... Offences relating to claims for legal professional privilege............... 46
49.......... Self-incrimination etc........................................................................ 47
50.......... Protection of person required to give information or produce documents or things 49
Division 3—Conducting hearings 51
Subdivision A—General provisions 51
51.......... National Integrity Commissioner may hold hearings........................ 51
52.......... National Integrity Commissioner may summon person.................... 52
53.......... National Integrity Commissioner may take evidence outside Australia 54
Subdivision B—Procedure at hearing 54
54.......... Who may be represented at a hearing................................................ 54
55.......... Who may be present at a hearing....................................................... 54
Subdivision C—Taking evidence at hearing 56
56.......... Evidence on oath or by affirmation................................................... 56
57.......... Examination and cross-examination of witnesses............................. 56
58.......... Giving evidence in private................................................................. 57
59.......... Directions in relation to confidentiality.............................................. 58
Subdivision D—Prohibitions against disclosing information about a summons 60
60.......... Disclosure of summons may be prohibited....................................... 60
61.......... Offences of disclosure...................................................................... 62
Subdivision E—Offences in relation to hearings 64
62.......... Offences............................................................................................ 64
63.......... Contempt........................................................................................... 65
64.......... Legal professional privilege—answer to question............................. 66
65.......... Legal professional privilege—documents or things.......................... 67
66.......... Offences relating to claims for legal professional privilege............... 69
67.......... Self-incrimination etc........................................................................ 70
Subdivision F—Court orders for delivery of witness’s passport and witness’s arrest 72
68.......... National Integrity Commissioner may apply for order that witness deliver his or her passport 72
69.......... Court orders...................................................................................... 73
70.......... Applying for a warrant to arrest witness........................................... 75
71.......... Warrant for arrest.............................................................................. 76
72.......... Powers of Judge in relation to person arrested.................................. 77
Subdivision G—Miscellaneous 78
73.......... National Integrity Commissioner may retain documents or things.... 78
74.......... Person may apply for legal and financial assistance.......................... 79
75.......... Protection of National Integrity Commissioner etc............................ 80
76.......... Protection of witnesses etc................................................................ 80
Division 4—Search warrants 82
Subdivision A—Preliminary 82
77.......... Application to things under the control of a person........................... 82
Subdivision B—Applying for a search warrant 82
78.......... Authorised officer may apply for a search warrant........................... 82
Subdivision C—Issue of a search warrant 84
79.......... When search warrants may be issued................................................ 84
80.......... Content of warrants........................................................................... 86
81.......... Application by telephone etc. and issue of warrant........................... 89
82.......... The things authorised by a search warrant in relation to premises..... 91
83.......... The things authorised by a search warrant in relation to a person..... 92
84.......... Restrictions on personal searches...................................................... 93
85.......... When warrant may be executed etc................................................... 93
Subdivision D—General provisions about executing a search warrant 94
86.......... Announcement before entry.............................................................. 94
87.......... Availability of assistance and use of force in executing a warrant..... 94
Subdivision E—Specific provisions about executing a warrant in relation to premises 95
88.......... Application........................................................................................ 95
89.......... Copy of warrant to be shown to occupier etc.................................... 95
90.......... Occupier entitled to watch search...................................................... 95
91.......... Specific powers available to person executing a warrant................... 96
92.......... Use of equipment to examine or process things................................ 96
93.......... Use of electronic equipment at premises without expert assistance... 98
94.......... Use of electronic equipment at premises with expert assistance........ 99
95.......... Person with knowledge of a computer or a computer system to assist access etc. 100
96.......... Accessing data held on other premises—notification to occupier of those premises 101
97.......... Compensation for damage to electronic equipment......................... 101
98.......... Copies of seized things to be provided............................................ 102
99.......... Receipts of things seized under warrant.......................................... 103
Subdivision F—Specific provisions about executing a warrant in relation to a person 103
100........ Copy of warrant to be shown to person.......................................... 103
101........ Conduct of an ordinary search or a frisk search.............................. 104
Subdivision G—Offences 104
102........ Making false statements in warrants............................................... 104
103........ Offence for stating incorrect names in telephone warrants.............. 104
104........ Offence for unauthorised form of warrant...................................... 104
105........ Offence for executing etc. an unauthorised form of warrant........... 105
106........ Offence for giving unexecuted form of warrant.............................. 105
Subdivision H—Miscellaneous 105
107........ Other laws about search, arrest etc. not affected.............................. 105
108........ Law relating to legal professional privilege not affected.................. 106
Division 5—Powers of arrest 107
109........ Authorised officers may exercise powers of arrest......................... 107
Division 6—Authorised officers 108
110........ Appointment of authorised officers................................................. 108
111........ Identity cards................................................................................... 108
Part 7—Dealing with evidence and information obtained in investigation or public inquiry 110
Division 1—Introduction 110
112........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 110
Division 2—Dealing with evidence and information obtained in investigation or public inquiry 111
113........ Evidence of offence or liability to civil penalty................................ 111
114........ Evidence that could be used in confiscation proceedings................ 112
115........ Evidence of, or information suggesting, wrongful conviction......... 113
Part 8—Independent Parliamentary Advisor 114
Division 1—Introduction 114
116........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 114
Division 2—Requests for advice 115
117........ Minister may request advice............................................................ 115
118........ Presiding officer or chair of committee may request advice............ 115
119........ Parliamentarian or former parliamentarian may request advice........ 115
120........ Independent Parliamentary Advisor to provide advice in writing.... 116
121........ Independent Parliamentary Advisor may request additional information 116
Division 3—Reporting 117
122........ Annual report.................................................................................. 117
Division 4—Better practices guides and fact sheets 118
123........ Better practices guides and fact sheets............................................. 118
Part 9—Administrative provisions 119
Division 1—Introduction 119
124........ Guide to this Part............................................................................ 119
Division 2—Appointment etc. of the integrity officers 120
Subdivision A—National Integrity Commissioner 120
125........ Appointment of National Integrity Commissioner.......................... 120
126........ General terms and conditions of appointment................................. 120
127........ Restriction on outside employment................................................. 121
128........ Remuneration.................................................................................. 121
129........ Leave of absence............................................................................. 121
130........ Resignation..................................................................................... 121
131........ Termination of appointment............................................................ 122
132........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 122
133........ Disclosure of interests..................................................................... 123
Subdivision B—Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner 123
134........ Appointment etc. of Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner..... 123
Subdivision C—Independent Parliamentary Advisor 124
135........ Appointment of Independent Parliamentary Advisor...................... 124
136........ General terms and conditions of appointment................................. 124
137........ Engaging in other paid employment................................................ 125
138........ Remuneration.................................................................................. 125
139........ Leave of absence............................................................................. 125
140........ Resignation..................................................................................... 125
141........ Termination of appointment............................................................ 126
142........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 126
143........ Disclosure of interests..................................................................... 127
Division 3—Appointment etc. of Assistant National Integrity Commissioners 128
144........ Appointment of Assistant National Integrity Commissioners......... 128
145........ General terms and conditions of appointment................................. 128
146........ Engaging in other paid employment................................................ 128
147........ Remuneration.................................................................................. 129
148........ Leave of absence............................................................................. 129
149........ Resignation..................................................................................... 129
150........ Termination of employment............................................................ 130
151........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 130
152........ Disclosure of interests..................................................................... 131
Division 4—Staff, consultants and delegations 132
153........ Staff................................................................................................ 132
154........ Consultants..................................................................................... 132
155........ Delegation—National Integrity Commissioner............................... 133
Division 5—Public reporting 134
156........ Annual report.................................................................................. 134
157........ Reports on investigations and public inquiries................................ 135
158........ Special reports................................................................................. 136
159........ Contents of annual or special report................................................ 137
Division 6—Confidentiality requirements 139
160........ Confidentiality requirements for National Integrity Commission staff 139
161........ Exceptions to confidentiality requirements...................................... 139
162........ Disclosure by National Integrity Commissioner in public interest etc. 141
163........ Opportunity to be heard.................................................................. 142
164........ National Integrity Commission staff generally not compellable in court proceedings 143
Part 10—Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Integrity Commission 145
165........ Definitions...................................................................................... 145
166........ Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Integrity Commission 145
167........ Powers and proceedings of the committee...................................... 146
168........ Duties of the committee................................................................... 147
169........ Committee may approve or reject recommendation for appointment of National Integrity Commissioner 149
170........ Disclosure to committee by National Integrity Commissioner........ 150
171........ Disclosure to committee by Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner 151
172........ Disclosure to committee by Minister............................................... 153
173........ Ombudsman to brief committee about controlled operations........... 154
Part 11—Miscellaneous 155
174........ Offence of victimisation.................................................................. 155
175........ Legal and financial assistance in relation to applications for administrative review 155
176........ Immunity from civil proceedings.................................................... 156
177........ Immunities from certain State and Territory laws............................ 157
178........ Review of operation of Act............................................................. 157
179........ Schedule(s)..................................................................................... 158
180........ Regulations..................................................................................... 158
Schedule 1—Amendments 160
Law Enforcement Integrity Commissioner Act 2006 160
Ombudsman Act 1976 160
Privacy Act 1988 161
A Bill for an Act to establish the office of the National Integrity Commissioner, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts: