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Bill
- Part 1—Preliminary
- Part 2—Key concepts used in this Act
- Part 3—The National Anti-Corruption Commission
- Part 4—Protections for disclosers under this Act
- Part 5—Referring corruption issues
- Part 6—Dealing with corruption issues
- Part 7—Investigating corruption issues
- Part 8—Reporting on corruption investigations
- Part 9—Public inquiries
- Part 10—Oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Commission
- Part 11—Confidentiality, consultation and information sharing
- Part 12—Administrative provisions for the National Anti-Corruption Commission
- Part 13—Miscellaneous
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
Presented and read a first time
National Anti-Corruption Commission Bill 2022
No. , 2022
(Attorney-General)
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Short title............................................................................................ 1
2............ Commencement.................................................................................. 2
3............ Objects of this Act.............................................................................. 2
4............ Simplified outline of this Act............................................................. 3
5............ Application of this Act....................................................................... 4
6............ Crown to be bound............................................................................. 4
7............ Definitions.......................................................................................... 4
Part 2—Key concepts used in this Act 14
Division 1—Corrupt conduct and corruption issues 14
8............ Meaning of corrupt conduct ............................................................. 14
9............ Meaning of corruption issue ............................................................ 16
Division 2—Public officials 17
10.......... Meaning of public official ................................................................ 17
Division 3—Commonwealth agencies and the heads of those agencies 18
11.......... Commonwealth agencies and the heads of those agencies.............. 18
Division 4—Staff members of Commonwealth agencies 21
12.......... Meaning of s taff member —Commonwealth agencies..................... 21
13.......... Meaning of contracted service provider for a Commonwealth contract 25
14.......... Meaning of statutory office holder ................................................... 27
Division 5—Commonwealth integrity agencies 28
15.......... Meaning of Commonwealth integrity agency .................................. 28
Part 3—The National Anti-Corruption Commission 29
Division 1—The Commissioner 29
16.......... The Commissioner........................................................................... 29
17.......... Functions of the Commissioner........................................................ 29
Division 2—The Deputy Commissioners 31
18.......... The Deputy Commissioners............................................................. 31
19.......... Functions of a Deputy Commissioner.............................................. 31
Division 3—The National Anti-Corruption Commission 32
20.......... Establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.......... 32
21.......... Constitution of the NACC................................................................ 32
22.......... Functions of the NACC.................................................................... 32
Part 4—Protections for disclosers under this Act 33
Division 1—Meaning of NACC disclosure 33
23.......... Meaning of NACC disclosure ........................................................... 33
Division 2—Protection of persons from liability 34
24.......... Protection of persons from liability.................................................. 34
25.......... Liability for false or misleading statements unaffected................... 34
26.......... Person’s liability for own conduct not affected................................ 34
27.......... Claims for protection........................................................................ 34
28.......... Protection has effect despite other Commonwealth laws................. 35
Division 3—Protection from reprisals 37
29.......... What constitutes taking a reprisal.................................................... 37
30.......... Offences—taking a reprisal or threatening to take a reprisal........... 37
Division 4—Protection for journalists’ informants 39
31.......... Protection for journalists’ informants............................................... 39
Part 5—Referring corruption issues 40
Division 1—Voluntary referrals 40
32.......... Any person may refer corruption issue............................................ 40
Division 2—Mandatory referrals 41
33.......... Mandatory referral—Commonwealth agencies other than intelligence agencies 41
34.......... Mandatory referral—intelligence agencies...................................... 41
35.......... Mandatory referral—Public Interest Disclosure Act disclosures..... 42
36.......... Mandatory referral—secrecy protection provisions......................... 43
37.......... Mandatory referral—exceptions....................................................... 43
38.......... Mandatory referral—timing and information requirements............. 43
Division 3—Other matters relating to referrals 45
39.......... Effect of referral on continued actions............................................. 45
Part 6—Dealing with corruption issues 46
Division 1—Dealing with corruption issues 46
40.......... Commissioner may deal with corruption issues............................... 46
41.......... How Commissioner deals with corruption issues............................ 46
42.......... Preliminary investigations by Commissioner................................... 47
43.......... Commissioner’s directions about further action.............................. 48
44.......... Action that can be taken without permission................................... 49
45.......... Previous investigations by Commonwealth integrity agencies........ 50
46.......... Matters dealt with by Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority.. 51
47.......... Matters dealt with by Electoral Commissioner................................ 52
48.......... Public statements about corruption issues........................................ 52
Division 2—Investigations conducted by Commonwealth agencies 54
49.......... Application....................................................................................... 54
50.......... Commissioner may oversee investigation........................................ 54
51.......... Commissioner may give directions.................................................. 54
52.......... Commissioner may require reports.................................................. 54
53.......... Commissioner’s comments and recommendations.......................... 55
54.......... Follow-up action on completion report............................................ 55
Part 7—Investigating corruption issues 58
Division 1—General 58
55.......... Application of Part........................................................................... 58
56.......... Conduct of corruption investigations generally............................... 58
Division 2—Requiring information, documents and things 59
Subdivision A—Directions to agency heads 59
57.......... Directions to agency heads............................................................... 59
Subdivision B—Notices to produce 59
58.......... Notices to produce............................................................................ 59
59.......... Period for complying........................................................................ 60
60.......... Offence—failure to comply with notice to produce......................... 61
61.......... Offence—producing false or misleading information or documents 61
Division 3—Hearings 63
Subdivision A—Commissioner may hold hearings 63
62.......... Commissioner may hold hearings.................................................... 63
63.......... Commissioner may summon persons............................................... 63
64.......... Summons must set out matters for questioning................................ 64
65.......... Commissioner may require information, documents and things...... 65
66.......... Legal representation......................................................................... 65
67.......... Record of hearings............................................................................ 65
68.......... Offence—failure to attend hearing................................................... 66
69.......... Offence—failure to give information, or produce documents or things 66
70.......... Offence—destroying documents or things....................................... 66
71.......... Offence—giving false or misleading evidence, information or documents 67
72.......... Offences—obstructing or hindering hearings, threatening persons present 67
Subdivision B—Private and public hearings 68
73.......... Private and public hearings.............................................................. 68
74.......... Evidence that must be given in private............................................ 69
75.......... Presence of others at private hearings.............................................. 69
76.......... Request to give evidence in private.................................................. 70
77.......... Investigation material from private hearings.................................... 71
Subdivision C—Evidence and procedure 71
78.......... Evidence on oath or by affirmation.................................................. 71
79.......... Commissioner may take evidence outside Australia........................ 72
80.......... Examination and cross-examination of witnesses............................ 72
81.......... Offence—failure to take an oath, make an affirmation or answer a question 72
Subdivision D—Contempt of the NACC 73
82.......... Contempt of the NACC.................................................................... 73
83.......... Application for court to deal with contempt.................................... 74
84.......... Conduct of contempt proceedings.................................................... 74
85.......... Person in contempt may be detained................................................ 75
86.......... Commissioner may withdraw contempt application........................ 76
87.......... Double jeopardy............................................................................... 76
Subdivision E—Travel documents and arrest of witnesses 77
88.......... Applying for orders to deliver travel documents.............................. 77
89.......... Orders to deliver travel documents.................................................. 78
90.......... Application for warrant to arrest witness......................................... 79
91.......... Warrant for arrest............................................................................. 80
92.......... Powers of judge in relation to person arrested................................. 80
Subdivision F—Miscellaneous 81
93.......... Allowances for travelling and other expenses.................................. 81
94.......... Protection of Commissioner and legal practitioners assisting.......... 81
Division 4—Use and disclosure of certain information and material 82
Subdivision A—Non-disclosure notations 82
95.......... Non-disclosure notations.................................................................. 82
96.......... When non-disclosure notations must or may be included................ 82
97.......... Cancelling non-disclosure notations................................................ 83
98.......... Offence—failure to comply with non-disclosure notations............. 84
Subdivision B—Use and disclosure of investigation material 85
99.......... Meaning of investigation material.................................................... 85
100........ Directions about use or disclosure of investigation material........... 86
101........ Offence—use or disclosure of investigation material...................... 87
102........ Disclosure to IGIS officials and Ombudsman officials.................... 87
103........ Making investigation material available to courts........................... 88
104........ Obtaining derivative material........................................................... 89
105........ Disclosing investigation and derivative material to prosecutors of the witness 89
106........ Court’s powers to order disclosure and to ensure a fair trial............ 90
107........ Certain material may always be disclosed to prosecutors of the witness 91
108........ Use of material by prosecutors......................................................... 92
109........ Making material available to proceeds of crime authorities............ 93
Division 5—Retention and return of documents and things 94
110........ Commissioner may retain documents and things............................. 94
111........ When documents and things must be returned................................. 95
112........ Magistrate may permit documents and things to be retained, forfeited etc. 95
Division 6—Privileges and protections 98
113........ Self-incrimination............................................................................. 98
114........ Public interest grounds..................................................................... 99
115........ Material sought from legal practitioners........................................ 100
116........ Other protections............................................................................ 100
Division 7—Search powers 102
Subdivision A—Search powers 102
117........ Entering certain places without a search warrant........................... 102
118........ Receipts for documents and things seized without warrant........... 104
119........ Search warrants, and stopping and searching conveyances........... 104
120........ Use and return of documents and things........................................ 104
Subdivision B—Modification of Crimes Act search powers 105
121........ Application of Subdivision............................................................. 105
122........ Subsection 3C(1)—definition of evidential material ..................... 106
123........ Divisions 2, 3 and 5 of Part IAA—references to constable and Commissioner 106
124........ Subsections 3E(1) and (2)—when search warrants can be issued. 106
125........ Subsection 3E(4)—previous warrants............................................ 108
126........ Provisions of sections 3E, 3F, 3L and 3LAA................................. 108
127........ Subparagraph 3LA(2)(b)(i)—accessing computer systems........... 109
128........ Provisions of section 3T................................................................. 109
Division 8—Interaction with criminal procedure and confiscation proceedings 111
Subdivision A—Key concepts 111
129........ Meaning of pre-charge ................................................................... 111
130........ Meaning of post-charge ................................................................. 111
131........ Meaning of relevant offence ........................................................... 112
132........ Meaning of imminent and protected suspect .................................. 112
133........ Meaning of derivative material ...................................................... 113
134........ Meaning of pre-confiscation application ....................................... 113
135........ Meaning of post-confiscation application ...................................... 114
136........ Meaning of confiscation proceeding .............................................. 114
137........ Meaning of relevant confiscation proceeding ................................ 114
138........ Meaning of proceeds of crime authority ........................................ 115
139........ When a charge or confiscation proceeding is resolved .................. 115
Subdivision B—Commissioner’s powers—limited operation provisions 116
140........ Limited operation—Commissioner’s power to issue notices to produce 116
141........ Limited operation—Commissioner’s power to hold hearings....... 117
142........ Limited operation—Commissioner’s power to summon person... 117
143........ Limited operation—obtaining derivative material......................... 118
144........ Limited operation—disclosing investigation material to prosecutors of the witness 120
145........ Limited operation—disclosing derivative material to prosecutors of the witness 120
146........ Limited operation—material that may always be disclosed to prosecutors of the witness 120
147........ Limited operation—disclosing material to proceeds of crime authorities 121
Subdivision C—Witness’ fair trial—limited operation 121
148........ Limited operation—witness’ fair trial............................................ 121
Part 8—Reporting on corruption investigations 122
149........ Report on corruption investigation................................................. 122
150........ Effect of findings or opinions about corrupt conduct..................... 123
151........ Excluding certain information from investigation report............... 124
152........ Protected information report.......................................................... 124
153........ Opportunity to respond must be given before including certain information in investigation report 124
154........ Commissioner to give copies of reports to certain persons............ 126
155........ Tabling of investigation report in Parliament................................. 127
156........ Publishing investigation report in whole or part............................ 128
157........ Opportunity to respond must be given before publishing an investigation report containing critical opinions etc................................................................................................... 128
158........ Advising person who referred corruption issue of outcome of the investigation 129
159........ Advising person whose conduct is investigated of outcome of the investigation 130
160........ Follow-up action on investigation report....................................... 131
Part 9—Public inquiries 134
161........ Commissioner may conduct public inquiries................................. 134
162........ Commissioner may invite submissions.......................................... 134
163........ Commissioner’s powers................................................................. 134
164........ Reporting on public inquiries......................................................... 135
165........ Protected information report.......................................................... 135
166........ Opportunity to respond must be given before including certain information in inquiry report 136
167........ Commissioner to give copies of reports to certain persons............ 136
168........ Tabling of inquiry report in Parliament.......................................... 138
169........ Publishing inquiry report in whole or part..................................... 138
170........ Opportunity to respond must be given before publishing an inquiry report containing critical opinions etc......................................................................................................... 138
171........ Follow-up action on inquiry report................................................ 139
Part 10—Oversight of the National Anti-Corruption Commission 141
Division 1—Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission 141
172........ Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission 141
173........ Chair of the Committee.................................................................. 141
174........ Eligibility for appointment as a Committee member..................... 142
175........ Terms of office of Committee members........................................ 142
176........ Powers and proceedings of the Committee.................................... 143
177........ Functions of the Committee........................................................... 143
178........ Committee may approve or reject recommendation for appointment 146
179........ Staff of the Committee must be cleared for security purposes....... 146
180........ Protection of information and documents...................................... 147
181........ Committee’s access to certain information.................................... 147
Division 2—The Inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission 148
Subdivision A—Functions and powers of the Inspector 148
182........ The Inspector.................................................................................. 148
183........ Independence.................................................................................. 148
184........ Functions of the Inspector.............................................................. 148
Subdivision B—Appointment of the Inspector 149
185........ Appointment of the Inspector......................................................... 149
186........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 150
187........ Remuneration................................................................................. 151
188........ Leave of absence............................................................................ 151
189........ Other paid work.............................................................................. 151
190........ Disclosure of interests to the Minister............................................ 151
191........ Other terms and conditions............................................................. 152
192........ Resignation..................................................................................... 152
193........ Termination of appointment........................................................... 152
Subdivision C—Persons assisting the Inspector 153
194........ Persons assisting the Inspector....................................................... 153
195........ Meaning of person assisting the Inspector..................................... 154
Subdivision D—Immunities of Inspector and persons assisting 154
196........ Immunity from civil proceedings for the Inspector and persons assisting 154
197........ Immunities from certain State and Territory laws.......................... 154
Subdivision E—Annual report by Inspector 155
198........ Annual report.................................................................................. 155
199........ Exclusion of certain information from annual report..................... 155
200........ Effect of findings or opinions about corrupt conduct..................... 155
Division 3—NACC corruption issues 156
Subdivision A—Meaning of NACC corruption issue 156
201........ Meaning of NACC corruption issue ............................................... 156
Subdivision B—Referring NACC corruption issues 156
202........ Any person may refer NACC corruption issue.............................. 156
203........ Mandatory referral—Commissioner.............................................. 157
204........ Mandatory referral—Public Interest Disclosure Act disclosures... 157
205........ Mandatory referral—secrecy provisions........................................ 157
206........ Mandatory referral—exceptions..................................................... 157
207........ Mandatory referral—timing and information requirements........... 157
208........ Effect of referral on continued actions........................................... 158
Subdivision C—Dealing with NACC corruption issues 159
209........ Inspector may deal with NACC corruption issues......................... 159
210........ How Inspector deals with NACC corruption issues....................... 159
211........ Other matters related to dealing with NACC corruption issues..... 160
Division 4—Investigating and reporting by Inspector 162
Subdivision A—Investigations by Inspector 162
212........ Application of Division.................................................................. 162
213........ Conduct of investigations generally............................................... 162
214........ Inspector’s powers to investigate................................................... 162
Subdivision B—Reporting on NACC corruption investigations and NACC complaint investigations 164
215........ Report on NACC corruption investigation or NACC complaint investigation 164
216........ Effect of findings or opinions about corrupt conduct..................... 166
217........ Excluding certain information from NACC investigation report... 166
218........ Protected information report.......................................................... 167
219........ Opportunity to respond must be given before including certain information in NACC investigation report........................................................................................................ 167
220........ Inspector to give copies of reports to certain persons.................... 168
221........ Tabling of NACC investigation report in Parliament.................... 170
222........ Publishing NACC investigation report in whole or in part............ 171
223........ Opportunity to respond must be given before publishing a NACC investigation report containing critical opinions etc..................................................................................... 171
224........ Advising person who referred NACC corruption issue or made complaint of outcome 172
225........ Advising person whose conduct is investigated of outcome of the investigation 173
226........ Follow-up action on NACC investigation report........................... 174
Part 11—Confidentiality, consultation and information sharing 177
Division 1—Confidentiality requirements 177
227........ Key concepts.................................................................................. 177
228........ Confidentiality requirements for entrusted persons....................... 179
229........ Authorisations to record or disclose information........................... 180
230........ Disclosure by authorised discloser in public interest..................... 182
231........ Opportunity to respond must be given before disclosure of critical opinions, findings and recommendations........................................................................................................ 184
232........ Entrusted persons generally not compellable in proceedings........ 184
233........ Confidentiality requirements for persons who receive information about investigations and inquiries 186
Division 2—Protected information reports 188
234........ Public disclosure of protected information reports prohibited....... 188
Division 3—National security and related matters 189
Subdivision A—Attorney-General’s certificates about release of information 189
235........ Attorney-General’s certificate in relation to particular information 189
236........ Attorney-General’s certificate in relation to international relations 192
Subdivision B—Arrangements relating to intelligence agencies and the IGIS 194
237........ Person investigating or inquiring must consult—security matters. 194
238........ Consultation before requiring information, documents or things from IGIS officials 194
239........ Arrangements for dealing with intelligence information............... 195
Subdivision C—Arrangements relating to foreign nationals 197
240........ Person investigating or inquiring must consult—foreign nationals 197
Part 12—Administrative provisions for the National Anti-Corruption Commission 198
Division 1—Appointment of the NACC Commissioners 198
241........ Appointment of the Commissioner................................................ 198
242........ Appointment of the Deputy Commissioners.................................. 199
243........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 200
244........ Remuneration................................................................................. 201
245........ Leave of absence............................................................................ 201
246........ Other paid work.............................................................................. 201
247........ Disclosure of interests.................................................................... 201
248........ Other terms and conditions............................................................. 202
249........ Resignation..................................................................................... 202
250........ Termination of appointment........................................................... 202
Division 2—The CEO, staff etc. and authorised officers 204
Subdivision A—Appointment and functions of the CEO 204
251........ The Chief Executive Officer.......................................................... 204
252........ Functions of CEO........................................................................... 204
253........ Commissioner may give directions to CEO................................... 204
254........ Appointment of CEO...................................................................... 205
255........ Acting appointments....................................................................... 205
256........ Remuneration................................................................................. 206
257........ Leave of absence............................................................................ 206
258........ Other paid work.............................................................................. 206
259........ Other terms and conditions............................................................. 206
260........ Resignation..................................................................................... 207
261........ Termination of appointment........................................................... 207
Subdivision B—Staff and consultants etc. 208
262........ Staff................................................................................................ 208
263........ Consultants..................................................................................... 208
264........ Persons assisting the NACC........................................................... 208
265........ Counsel assisting the NACC or a NACC Commissioner............... 209
266........ Meaning of staff member of the NACC......................................... 209
Subdivision C—Authorised officers 210
267........ Appointment of authorised officers................................................ 210
268........ Identity cards.................................................................................. 210
Division 3—Immunities of staff members of the NACC 212
269........ Immunity from civil proceedings for staff members of the NACC and persons assisting 212
270........ Immunities from certain State and Territory laws.......................... 212
Division 4—Annual report by Commissioner 213
271........ Annual report.................................................................................. 213
272........ Exclusion of certain information from annual report..................... 214
273........ Effect of findings or opinions about corrupt conduct..................... 215
Part 13—Miscellaneous 216
Division 1—Parliamentary privilege and other protections 216
274........ Effect of Act on parliamentary privileges and immunities............ 216
275........ Protections relating to non-judicial functions and powers............. 216
Division 2—Delegations and review 217
276........ Delegations..................................................................................... 217
277........ Delegation by heads of Commonwealth agencies.......................... 218
278........ Review of operation of Act............................................................ 219
Division 3—Instruments under the Act 221
279........ Guidelines....................................................................................... 221
280........ Regulations..................................................................................... 221
A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and for related purposes
The Parliament of Australia enacts: