Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth)

Royal Commissions Act 1902

No. 12, 1902

Compilation No. 23

Compilation date: 11 December 2024

Includes amendments: Act No. 115, 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 11 December 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents Part 1—Preliminary 1 Short title 1A Power to issue Royal Commission 1B Definitions 1C Application of the Criminal Code Part 2—Hearings and coercive and other powers of Royal Commissions 2 Power to summon witnesses and take evidence 3 Failure of witnesses to attend, produce documents or give information or statements 4 Search warrants 5 Application by telephone for search warrants 6 Penalty for refusing to be sworn or to give evidence 6AA Legal professional privilege 6AB Offences relating to claims for legal professional privilege 6A Self incrimination 6B Arrest of witness failing to appear 6C Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences 6D Rights of witness 6DD Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness 6F Power of Commission in relation to documents and other things 6FA Examination of witnesses by counsel etc. 6G Witness to be paid expenses Part 3—Offences 6H False or misleading evidence 6I Bribery of witness 6J Fraud on witness 6K Destroying documents or other things 6L Preventing witness from attending 6M Injury to witness 6N Dismissal by employers of witness 6O Contempt of Royal Commission Part 4—Private sessions for certain Royal Commissions Division 1—Preliminary 6OA Definitions 6OAB Royal Commissions to which this Part applies Division 2—Private sessions 6OB Power to hold private sessions 6OC Status of private sessions etc. 6OE Certain statements made and documents produced etc. not admissible in evidence 6OEA Protection of Assistant Commissioners 6OF Protection of those who appear, or are authorised to be present, at a private session Division 3—Privacy in relation to private sessions 6OG Privacy of private sessions 6OH Offence for unauthorised use or disclosure of information given at a private session etc. 6OJ Inclusion of information in reports and recommendations 6OK Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information 6OL No other exceptions under other laws 6OM Relationship with the Archives Act 1983 6ON Protection of certain information given to the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission 6OP Protection of certain information given to the Disability Royal Commission 6OQ Protection of certain information given to the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission Part 5—Miscellaneous 6P Commission may communicate information 7 Protection to Commissioners etc. 7AA Commission may have concurrent functions and powers under State laws 7A Effect of Royal Commissioner having authority to inquire under foreign law 7B Commission may take evidence outside Australia 7C Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness 7D Certain evidence before a State Commission inadmissible in Commonwealth proceedings 8 Allowances to witnesses 9 Custody and use of records of Royal Commission 10 Institution of proceedings in respect of other offences 15 Costs 16 Evidence of issue of Commission etc. 17 Regulations Endnotes Endnote 1—About the endnotes Endnote 2—Abbreviation key Endnote 3—Legislation history Endnote 4—Amendment history