2003
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

(As presented)
(Mr Bill Stefaniak)
Bushfire Inquiry (Protection of Statements) Bill 2003

A Bill for
An Act to protect people making statements to the inquiry announced by the Chief Minister on 10 February 2003 into the operational response to the January 2003 bushfires in the ACT, headed by Mr Ron McLeod AM, and for other purposes

    

The Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory enacts as follows:

1	Name of Act
This Act is the Bushfire Inquiry (Protection of Statements) Act 2003.
2	Commencement
This Act commences on the day after its notification day.
Note	The naming and commencement provisions automatically commence on the notification day (see Legislation Act, s 75 (1)).
3	Notes
A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.
Note	See Legislation Act, s 127 (1), (4) and (5) for the legal status of notes.
4	Protection of statements to inquiry
	(1)	A person who makes a statement to the inquiry, or gives a document or information to the inquiry, has in relation to that action, the same protection as a witness in proceedings in the Supreme Court.
	(2)	For subsection (1)—
	(a)	a statement is made, and a document or information is given, to the inquiry if it is made or given to Mr McLeod, or a person assisting Mr McLeod, for the purposes of the inquiry; and
	(b)	it does not matter whether the statement is made, or the document or information is given, on request or on the person’s own initiative.
	(3)	In this section—
inquiry means the inquiry announced by the Chief Minister on 10 February 2003 into the operational response to the January 2003 bushfires in the ACT, headed by Mr Ron McLeod AM.
5	Expiry of Act
	(1)	This Act expires on 30 September 2003.
	(2)	However, the Minister may, in writing before 30 September 2003, determine a later date for the expiry of this Act.
	(3)	A determination under subsection (2) is a disallowable instrument.
Note	A disallowable instrument must be notified, and presented to the Legislative Assembly, under the Legislation Act.

© Australian Capital Territory 2003