2002

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time

 

 

 

 

 

Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (Bali Bombings) Bill 2002

 

No.      , 2002

 

(Senator Brown)

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to provide for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in relation to the operation and effectiveness of Australian security and intelligence services relating to the Bali terrorist outrage on 12 October 2002

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

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

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

3............ Interpretation....................................................................................... 2

Part 2—Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry                                                   3

Division 1—Establishment and functions of the Commission                  3

4............ Establishment of Commission............................................................. 3

5............ Constitution and nomination of Commission members....................... 3

6............ Presiding at meetings.......................................................................... 4

7............ Filling of vacancies............................................................................. 4

8............ Functions............................................................................................ 4

9............ Conduct of proceedings...................................................................... 4

10.......... Report to Parliament............................................................................ 5

11.......... Decision of questions.......................................................................... 5

Division 2—Powers of the Commission                                                               6

12.......... Power to summon witnesses and take evidence.................................. 6

13.......... Hearings.............................................................................................. 6

14.......... Powers of Commission in relation to documents................................ 6

Division 3—Administrative provisions                                                                8

15.......... Remuneration and allowances............................................................. 8

16.......... Staff of the Commission..................................................................... 8

17.......... Protection of members etc................................................................... 8

18.......... Legal and financial assistance.............................................................. 9

19.......... Reimbursement of expenses of witnesses........................................... 9

Part 3—Offences                                                                                                                   10

20.......... Failure of witnesses to attend or produce documents........................ 10

21.......... Penalty for refusing to be sworn or give evidence............................ 10

22.......... Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences.. 11

23.......... False or misleading evidence............................................................. 11

24.......... Intimidation or dismissal of witness.................................................. 11

25.......... Preventing witness from attending.................................................... 11

26.......... Bribery of witness............................................................................. 12

27.......... Fraud on witness............................................................................... 12

28.......... Contempt of Commission................................................................. 12

Part 4—Miscellaneous                                                                                                        14

29.......... Appropriation.................................................................................... 14

30.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 14

Schedule         15

Terms of Reference of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in relation to the Bali Bombings                                                                                              15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to provide for a Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in relation to the operation and effectiveness of Australian security and intelligence services relating to the Bali terrorist outrage on 12 October 2002

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

Schedule

   

Section 8(1)

Terms of Reference of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry in relation to the Bali Bombings

                   In accordance with the constitutional authority of the Commonwealth in relation to foreign affairs, the Commission is to investigate the following:

             (1)  The operation and effectiveness of Australia’s security and intelligence agencies in the lead up to the Bali bombings.

             (2)  The discrepancies, if any, between Australia and other nations (including the United States of America) in either intelligence received regarding terrorist operations, or action taken to warn the public of potential dangers.

             (3)  Any other matters germane to the wellbeing of Australians and which may relate to the Bali bombings.