2004-2005-2006-2007

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission Bill 2007

 

No.      , 2007

 

(Senator Kirk)

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish the Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

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

2............ Commencement................................................................................... 1

3............ Objects of Act..................................................................................... 2

4............ This Act binds the Crown................................................................... 2

5............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 2

6............ Administration.................................................................................... 3

Part 2—Establishment of the Commission                                                              4

7............ Establishment...................................................................................... 4

8............ Members............................................................................................. 4

9............ Vacancy in membership...................................................................... 4

Part 3—Administrative provisions                                                                               6

10.......... Remuneration of members.................................................................. 6

11.......... Staff of the Commission..................................................................... 6

12.......... Counsel assisting the Commission...................................................... 7

13.......... Legal and financial assistance.............................................................. 7

14.......... Reimbursement of expenses of witnesses........................................... 7

15.......... Records of the Commission................................................................ 7

Part 4—Functions and reports of the Commission                                            8

16.......... Functions............................................................................................ 8

17.......... Decision of questions.......................................................................... 8

18.......... Reports................................................................................................ 8

Part 5—Powers and proceedings of the Commission                                     10

19.......... Conduct of proceedings.................................................................... 10

20.......... Power to summon witnesses and take evidence................................ 10

21.......... Search warrants................................................................................. 11

22.......... Previous inquiries............................................................................. 12

23.......... Hearings............................................................................................ 13

24.......... Arrest of witness failing to appear.................................................... 14

25.......... Powers of Commission in relation to documents and other things.... 15

26.......... Standard of proof, admissibility of evidence and natural justice........ 15

27.......... Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness            16

28.......... Protection of members, etc................................................................ 16

Part 6—Offences                                                                                                                   18

29.......... Application of the Criminal Code ..................................................... 18

30.......... Unauthorised presence at hearing or publication of evidence............ 18

31.......... Failure of witnesses to attend or produce documents........................ 18

32.......... Penalty for refusing to be sworn or to give evidence........................ 19

33.......... Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences.. 20

34.......... Self-incrimination.............................................................................. 20

35.......... Excuse of other legislation................................................................ 20

36.......... False or misleading evidence............................................................. 21

37.......... Destroying documents or other things.............................................. 21

38.......... Injury to witness............................................................................... 22

39.......... Dismissal by employers of witness................................................... 23

40.......... Preventing witnesses from attending or producing document........... 23

41.......... Bribery of witness............................................................................. 24

42.......... Fraud on witness............................................................................... 25

43.......... Commission may communicate information..................................... 25

44.......... Contempt of Commission................................................................. 26

Part 7—Miscellaneous                                                                                                        28

45.......... Regulations....................................................................................... 28

 

A Bill for an Act to establish the Parliamentary (Judicial Misbehaviour or Incapacity) Commission

The Parliament of Australia enacts: