2019-2021

 

The Parliament of the

Commonwealth of Australia

 

THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

Presented and read a first time

 

 

 

 

Ministerial Suitability Commission of Inquiry Bill 2021

 

No.      , 2021

 

(Senator Waters)

 

 

 

A Bill for an Act to establish an inquiry into whether Christian Porter is a fit and proper person to be a Minister of State, and for related purposes

   

   

   

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary                                                                                                              1

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

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

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

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

Part 2—Establishing the Ministerial Suitability Commission of Inquiry 4

5............ Establishment of Commission............................................................. 4

6............ Terms of reference.............................................................................. 4

7............ Report to the Parliament and the Prime Minister................................. 5

Part 3—Powers of the Ministerial Suitability Commission of Inquiry   7

8............ Hearings.............................................................................................. 7

9............ Counsel assisting the Commission...................................................... 8

10.......... Power to summon witnesses and take evidence.................................. 8

11.......... Disclosure of summons may be prohibited......................................... 9

12.......... Arrest of witness failing to appear.................................................... 11

13.......... Search warrants................................................................................. 11

14.......... Powers of Commission in relation to documents and other things.... 12

Part 4—Offences                                                                                                                   14

15.......... Unauthorised presence at hearing or publication of evidence............ 14

16.......... Failure of witnesses to attend or produce documents........................ 14

17.......... Refusal to be sworn or give evidence................................................ 15

18.......... Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences.. 15

19.......... False or misleading evidence............................................................. 15

20.......... Destroying documents or other things.............................................. 15

21.......... Intimidation or dismissal of witnesses.............................................. 16

22.......... Preventing witnesses from attending................................................. 16

23.......... Bribery of witness............................................................................. 17

24.......... Fraud on witness............................................................................... 17

25.......... Contempt of Commission................................................................. 17

26.......... Disclosure of summons.................................................................... 18

 

Part 5—Operation of the Commission                                                                     21

27.......... Death or incapacity of member.......................................................... 21

28.......... Remuneration and allowances........................................................... 21

29.......... Staff of the Commission................................................................... 21

30.......... Protection of member and others....................................................... 22

31.......... Legal and financial assistance............................................................ 22

32.......... Reimbursement of witness expenses................................................. 22

33.......... Commission may communicate information..................................... 23

 

A Bill for an Act to establish an inquiry into whether Christian Porter is a fit and proper person to be a Minister of State, and for related purposes

The Parliament of Australia enacts: