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This is a Bill, not an Act. For current law, see the Acts databases.
2022-2023
The Parliament of the
Commonwealth of Australia
THE SENATE
Presented and read a first time
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
(Senator Hanson-Young)
A Bill for an Act to establish an inquiry into the
Murdoch media and media diversity in Australia,
and for related purposes
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
i
Contents
Part 1--Preliminary
1
1
Short title ........................................................................................... 1
2
Commencement ................................................................................. 2
3
Simplified outline of this Act ............................................................ 2
4
Act binds Crown ................................................................................ 2
5
Definitions ......................................................................................... 2
Part 2--Establishing the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
4
6
Establishment of Commission ........................................................... 4
7
Terms of reference ............................................................................. 4
8
Report to the Parliament .................................................................... 5
Part 3--Powers of the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
7
9
Hearings ............................................................................................ 7
10
Counsel assisting the Commission .................................................... 8
11
Power to summon witnesses and take evidence ................................. 8
12
Arrest of witness failing to appear ..................................................... 8
13
Search warrants ................................................................................. 9
14
Access to certain material held by ACMA ...................................... 10
15
Powers of Commission in relation to documents and other things .. 11
Part 4--Offences
12
16
Unauthorised presence at hearing or publication of evidence .......... 12
17
Failure of witnesses to attend or produce documents ...................... 12
18
Refusal to be sworn or give evidence .............................................. 13
19
Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences 13
20
False or misleading evidence ........................................................... 13
21
Destroying documents or other things ............................................. 13
22
Intimidation or dismissal of witnesses ............................................. 14
23
Preventing witnesses from attending ............................................... 14
24
Bribery of witness............................................................................ 15
25
Fraud on witness .............................................................................. 15
26
Contempt of Commission ................................................................ 15
Part 5--Operation of the Commission
17
27
Death or incapacity of member ........................................................ 17
28
Remuneration and allowances ......................................................... 17
29
Staff of the Commission .................................................................. 17
30
Protection of member and others ..................................................... 17
31
Legal and financial assistance ......................................................... 18
ii
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
32
Reimbursement of witness expenses ............................................... 18
33
Commission may communicate information ................................... 19
34
Funding............................................................................................ 19
35
Rules ................................................................................................ 19
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
1
A Bill for an Act to establish an inquiry into the
1
Murdoch media and media diversity in Australia,
2
and for related purposes
3
The Parliament of Australia enacts:
4
Part 1--Preliminary
5
6
1 Short title
7
This Act is the
Murdoch Media Inquiry Act 2023
.
8
Part 1
Preliminary
Section 2
2
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
2 Commencement
1
(1) Each provision of this Act specified in column 1 of the table
2
commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with
3
column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect
4
according to its terms.
5
6
Commencement information
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Provisions
Commencement
Date/Details
1. The whole of
this Act
The day after this Act receives the Royal
Assent.
Note:
This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally
7
enacted. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of
8
this Act.
9
(2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this Act.
10
Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it
11
may be edited, in any published version of this Act.
12
3 Simplified outline of this Act
13
This Act establishes a Commission to inquire into and report to
14
Parliament on particular matters relating to the Murdoch media and
15
media diversity in Australia and requires the Senate to appoint a
16
member to the Commission.
17
4 Act binds Crown
18
This Act binds the Crown in each of its capacities.
19
5 Definitions
20
In this Act:
21
ACMA
means the Australian Communications and Media
22
Authority.
23
Preliminary
Part 1
Section 5
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
3
Commission
means the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
1
established under section 6.
2
Judge
means a Judge of a court created by the Parliament or of the
3
Supreme Court of a State or Territory.
4
legal practitioner
means a barrister, a solicitor, a barrister and
5
solicitor, or a legal practitioner, of the High Court or of the
6
Supreme Court of a State or Territory.
7
member
means the member of the Commission appointed under
8
section 6.
9
President
means the President of the Senate.
10
rules
means rules made under section 35.
11
Speaker
means the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
12
Part 2
Establishing the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Section 6
4
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
Part 2--Establishing the Murdoch Media
1
Commission of Inquiry
2
3
6 Establishment of Commission
4
(1) A Commission is established by this subsection, to be known as the
5
Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry.
6
(2) The Commission is constituted by one member appointed for this
7
subsection by a resolution of the Senate.
8
(3) A person is not eligible for appointment as the member unless the
9
person is a former Judge.
10
7 Terms of reference
11
(1) The Commission must inquire into and advise the Parliament on
12
the following in relation to the Murdoch media and media diversity
13
in Australia:
14
(a) whether the existing system of media regulation in Australia
15
is fit-for-purpose;
16
(b) the concentration of media ownership in Australia;
17
(c) the impact of Australia's media ownership laws on media
18
concentration in Australia;
19
(d) the relationship between the media and government in
20
Australia and whether fear of retribution in the press has
21
hampered the creation of public policy;
22
(e) the need for a single, independent media regulator to
23
harmonise news media standards and oversee an effective
24
process for remedying complaints;
25
(f) the efficacy of current legal frameworks and mechanisms for
26
managing misinformation and disinformation in the media;
27
(g) the culture, ethics and practices of media outlets operating in
28
Australia;
29
(h) the targeting of marginalised communities by the media
30
including people of colour, people with disabilities, the
31
LGBTQIA+ community and people on income support;
32
Establishing the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Part 2
Section 8
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
5
(i) the impact on democracy of the "Foxification" of some
1
media outlets operating in Australia, including undermining
2
trust in public institutions and public interest journalism;
3
(j) the impact of the political influence of major media outlets
4
operating in Australia;
5
(k) the impact of online global platforms such as Facebook,
6
Google and Twitter on the media industry and sharing of
7
news in Australia;
8
(l) the barriers faced by small, independent and community
9
news outlets in Australia;
10
(m) the role of government in supporting a viable and diverse
11
public interest journalism sector in Australia;
12
(n) any matter reasonably incidental to a matter mentioned in the
13
above paragraphs.
14
(2) However, the Commission is not required to inquire, or to continue
15
to inquire, into a particular matter to the extent that it is satisfied
16
that the matter has been, is being, or will be, sufficiently and
17
appropriately dealt with by:
18
(a) another inquiry or investigation; or
19
(b) a criminal or civil proceeding.
20
(3) In inquiring and advising in accordance with subsection (1), the
21
Commission may give priority to matters which, in the
22
Commission's opinion, have greater potential for harm.
23
8 Report to the Parliament
24
(1) The Commission must submit to the President and the Speaker a
25
report containing:
26
(a) its findings of fact; and
27
(b) any recommendations relevant to the inquiry that the
28
Commission thinks fit.
29
(2) The report must be submitted on or before the end of the period of
30
1 year starting on the commencement of this section, unless that
31
period is extended by a resolution of the Senate.
32
Part 2
Establishing the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Section 8
6
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
(3) The Commission must submit with its report a record of so much
1
of the evidence before the Commission as the Commission thinks
2
necessary to substantiate its findings of fact and its conclusions.
3
(4) If the Commission is of the opinion that, if any of its findings or
4
conclusions or any of the evidence given before the Commission
5
were to be laid before the Houses of the Parliament:
6
(a) a person who has been or may be charged with an offence
7
might not receive a fair trial for the offence; or
8
(b) the conduct of an investigation of a breach or possible breach
9
of the law might be prejudiced; or
10
(c) the existence or identity of a confidential source of
11
information in relation to the enforcement or administration
12
of the law might be disclosed or a person enabled to ascertain
13
the existence or identity of that source; or
14
(d) there might be prejudice to the safety or reputation of a
15
person;
16
the Commission may submit those findings or conclusions, or that
17
evidence, to the President and the Speaker in a separate report,
18
together with a statement of its opinion.
19
(5) As soon as practicable after receiving the report and record of
20
evidence, the President and the Speaker must cause copies of the
21
report and record, other than a separate report submitted under
22
subsection (4), to be laid before the Senate and the House of
23
Representatives.
24
Powers of the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Part 3
Section 9
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
7
Part 3--Powers of the Murdoch Media
1
Commission of Inquiry
2
3
9 Hearings
4
(1) For the purposes of its inquiry the Commission may hold hearings
5
at places in Australia determined by the Commission.
6
(2) A hearing is to be public, unless the Commission thinks the
7
circumstances in particular instances require otherwise.
8
(3) The member must preside at a hearing before the Commission.
9
(4) A person who appears before the Commission, or who is or is
10
likely to be affected by evidence given before the Commission,
11
may be represented by a legal practitioner.
12
(5) If a hearing is to be conducted in private, the only persons who
13
may be present are persons authorised by the Commission and
14
legal practitioners representing them.
15
(6) Subject to this Act, a hearing may be conducted as the Commission
16
thinks fit.
17
(7) The Commission must make a record of a hearing.
18
(8) The following must not be published except in accordance with a
19
direction of the Commission:
20
(a) evidence given before the Commission;
21
(b) the contents of a document, or a description of a thing,
22
produced to the Commission or seized pursuant to a warrant
23
issued under section 13;
24
(c) any information that might enable a person who has given
25
evidence before the Commission to be identified;
26
(d) the fact that any person has given or may be about to give
27
evidence at a hearing.
28
(9) The Commission must not give a direction to publish such material
29
if to do so might prejudice the safety or reputation of a person or
30
Part 3
Powers of the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Section 10
8
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
prejudice the fair trial of a person who has been or might be
1
charged with an offence.
2
10 Counsel assisting the Commission
3
The Commission may appoint a legal practitioner to assist the
4
Commission as counsel, either generally or in relation to a
5
particular matter or matters.
6
11 Power to summon witnesses and take evidence
7
(1) The member may, by a written summons signed by the member
8
and served on a person, summon the person to attend a hearing at a
9
time and place specified in the summons:
10
(a) to give evidence; or
11
(b) to produce documents or things specified in the summons.
12
(2) At a hearing, the member may:
13
(a) require a witness either to take an oath or to make an
14
affirmation; and
15
(b) administer the oath or affirmation to the witness.
16
(3) At a hearing, the following persons may, so far as the Commission
17
thinks appropriate, examine or cross-examine any witness on any
18
matter that the Commission considers relevant:
19
(a) counsel assisting the Commission;
20
(b) a person summoned or otherwise authorised to appear before
21
the Commission;
22
(c) a legal practitioner authorised to appear before the
23
Commission for the purposes of representing any person at
24
the hearing.
25
(4) The Commission may require a witness to answer any question that
26
the Commission considers relevant.
27
12 Arrest of witness failing to appear
28
(1) If a person served with a summons to attend before the
29
Commission as a witness fails to attend in accordance with the
30
Powers of the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Part 3
Section 13
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
9
summons, the member may, on proof of the service of the
1
summons, issue a warrant to arrest the person.
2
(2) A warrant authorises the arrest of the witness, the bringing of the
3
witness before the Commission and the detention of the witness in
4
custody for that purpose until the witness is released by order of
5
the member.
6
(3) A warrant may be executed by any member of the Australian
7
Federal Police or of the police force of a State or Territory, and the
8
person executing the warrant has power to break and enter any
9
place, building or vessel in order to execute it.
10
(4) The arrest of the witness under this section does not relieve the
11
witness from any liability incurred by reason of non-compliance
12
with the summons.
13
13 Search warrants
14
(1) The Commission may issue a search warrant if:
15
(a) the Commission has reasonable grounds for suspecting that
16
there may be relevant material, at that time or within the next
17
24 hours, upon any land or upon or in any premises, vessel,
18
aircraft or vehicle; and
19
(b) the Commission believes on reasonable grounds that, if a
20
summons were issued for the production of the material, it
21
might be concealed, lost, mutilated or destroyed.
22
(2) A search warrant authorises a member of the Australian Federal
23
Police or of the police force of a State or Territory, in accordance
24
with its terms:
25
(a) to enter upon the land or upon or into the premises, vessel,
26
aircraft or vehicle; and
27
(b) to search the land, premises, vessel, aircraft or vehicle for
28
relevant material; and
29
(c) to seize any relevant items found upon the land or upon or in
30
the premises, vessel, aircraft or vehicle and deliver things
31
seized to the Commission; and
32
(d) to make copies or extracts, including electronic copies or
33
extracts, of any relevant documents found.
34
Part 3
Powers of the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Section 14
10
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
(3) A search warrant must:
1
(a) state the purpose for which the warrant is issued; and
2
(b) state whether entry is authorised to be made at any time of
3
the day or night; and
4
(c) include a description of the kinds of things authorised to be
5
seized; and
6
(d) specify a day, not later than 1 month after the date of issue of
7
the warrant, at the expiration of which the warrant ceases to
8
have effect.
9
(4) If, in the course of searching for relevant material in accordance
10
with a search warrant, the person executing the warrant finds any
11
other thing that the person believes on reasonable grounds to be
12
connected with that material and the person believes on reasonable
13
grounds that it is necessary to seize that thing in order to prevent its
14
concealment, loss, mutilation or destruction, the warrant authorises
15
the person to seize that thing.
16
(5) For this section, material or a document is
relevant
if it has
17
evidential value relevant to the Commission's inquiry.
18
14 Access to certain material held by ACMA
19
(1) The member, may, by notice in writing given to the ACMA,
20
require the ACMA:
21
(a) to produce to the Commission documents and other materials
22
relating to the inquiry; or
23
(b) permit the Commission, together with such persons as are
24
specified in the notice, to have access to documents or
25
materials referred to in paragraph (a).
26
(2) The ACMA must comply with a notice under subsection (1).
27
(3) The ACMA may make available to the Commission, at the request
28
of the member, documents or materials (other than documents or
29
materials referred to in subsection (1)), being documents or
30
materials relevant to the matter into which the Commission is
31
inquiring.
32
Powers of the Murdoch Media Commission of Inquiry
Part 3
Section 15
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
11
(4) To avoid doubt, this section applies despite Part 7A of the
1
Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005.
2
15 Powers of Commission in relation to documents and other things
3
(1) The Commission, or a person authorised in writing by the member,
4
may:
5
(a) inspect any documents or other things produced before, or
6
delivered to, the Commission; and
7
(b) retain the documents or other things for so long as is
8
reasonably necessary for the purposes of the Commission's
9
inquiry; and
10
(c) in the case of documents produced before, or delivered to, the
11
Commission, make copies of matter relevant to the
12
Commission's inquiry.
13
(2) When a document or other thing is no longer needed by the
14
Commission for its inquiry, the Commission is to return the
15
document or thing to the person who appears to be entitled to it, or
16
deal with it at that person's direction.
17
Part 4
Offences
Section 16
12
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
Part 4--Offences
1
2
16 Unauthorised presence at hearing or publication of evidence
3
A person commits an offence if:
4
(a) the person is present at a private hearing of the Commission
5
without being authorised under subsection 9(5); or
6
(b) the person publishes material in contravention of
7
subsection 9(8).
8
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.
9
17 Failure of witnesses to attend or produce documents
10
(1) A person commits an offence if, when served with a summons to
11
appear at a hearing before the Commission:
12
(a) the person fails to attend as required by the summons; or
13
(b) the person fails to attend from day to day unless excused, or
14
released from further attendance, by the member.
15
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.
16
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence in subsection (1) if
17
the person has a reasonable excuse.
18
(3) A person attending a hearing before the Commission commits an
19
offence if the person refuses or fails to produce a document or
20
other thing that the person was required to produce by a summons
21
under this Act served on the person or that the person was required
22
to produce by the member.
23
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.
24
(4) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence in subsection (3) if:
25
(a) the document or other thing was not relevant to the matter
26
into which the Commission was inquiring; or
27
(b) the person has a reasonable excuse.
28
Offences
Part 4
Section 18
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
13
18 Refusal to be sworn or give evidence
1
A person appearing as a witness at a hearing before the
2
Commission commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse:
3
(a) the person refuses or fails to comply when required pursuant
4
to subsection 11(2) either to take an oath or make an
5
affirmation; or
6
(b) the person refuses or fails to answer a question that the
7
person is required to answer by the member.
8
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.
9
19 Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences
10
If a person commits an offence under section 17, and the person
11
does or omits to do the same thing at a hearing of the Commission
12
held on some other day, each such act or omission constitutes a
13
separate offence.
14
20 False or misleading evidence
15
(1) A person commits an offence if, at a hearing before the
16
Commission, the person gives evidence that is to the knowledge of
17
the person false or misleading with respect to any matter that is
18
material to the inquiry being made by the Commission.
19
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
20
(2) A court of summary jurisdiction may hear and determine
21
proceedings in respect of such an offence if the court is satisfied
22
that it is proper to do so and the defendant and prosecutor consent.
23
21 Destroying documents or other things
24
(1) A person commits an offence if, knowing or having reasonable
25
grounds to believe that a document or other thing is or may be
26
required in evidence before the Commission, the person wilfully:
27
(a) conceals, mutilates or destroys the document or thing; or
28
(b) renders the document or thing incapable of identification; or
29
Part 4
Offences
Section 22
14
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
(c) in the case of a document, renders it illegible or
1
indecipherable.
2
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
3
(2) A court of summary jurisdiction may hear and determine
4
proceedings in respect of such an offence if the court is satisfied
5
that it is proper to do so and the defendant and the prosecutor
6
consent.
7
22 Intimidation or dismissal of witnesses
8
(1) A person commits an offence if the person uses, causes, inflicts, or
9
procures any violence, punishment, damage, loss or disadvantage
10
to a person because the person appeared as a witness before the
11
Commission or because of any evidence given by the person before
12
the Commission.
13
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
14
(2) An employer commits an offence if the employer dismisses an
15
employee from employment or prejudices an employee in
16
employment because the employee:
17
(a) appeared as a witness before the Commission; or
18
(b) gave evidence before the Commission; or
19
(c) produced a document or thing pursuant to a summons or
20
requirement under section 11.
21
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
22
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the employee was dismissed or
23
prejudiced in the employee's employment for some reason other
24
than the reasons listed in that subsection.
25
23 Preventing witnesses from attending
26
A person commits an offence if the person wilfully prevents or
27
wilfully endeavours to prevent a person who has been summoned
28
to attend as a witness before the Commission from attending or
29
from producing anything in evidence in accordance with the
30
summons.
31
Offences
Part 4
Section 24
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
15
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
1
24 Bribery of witness
2
A person commits an offence if:
3
(a) the person gives, confers, or procures, or promises or offers
4
to give or confer, or to procure or attempt to procure, any
5
property or benefit of any kind to, upon, or for, any person,
6
upon any agreement or understanding that any person called
7
or to be called as a witness before the Commission will give
8
false testimony or withhold true testimony; or
9
(b) the person attempts by any means to induce a person called
10
or to be called as a witness before the Commission to give
11
false testimony or to withhold true testimony; or
12
(c) the person asks, receives or obtains or agrees or attempts to
13
receive or obtain any property or benefit of any kind, whether
14
for the person or for any other person, upon any agreement or
15
understanding that any person will as a witness before the
16
Commission give false testimony or withhold true testimony.
17
Penalty: Imprisonment for 5 years.
18
25 Fraud on witness
19
A person commits an offence if the person practises any fraud or
20
deceit, or knowingly makes or exhibits any false statement,
21
representation, token, or writing, to any person called or to be
22
called as a witness before the Commission with intent to affect the
23
testimony of that person as a witness.
24
Penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years.
25
26 Contempt of Commission
26
A person commits an offence if:
27
(a) the person wilfully disturbs or disrupts a hearing of the
28
Commission; or
29
(b) the person makes any statement that is false and defamatory
30
of the Commission; or
31
Part 4
Offences
Section 26
16
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
(c) the person commits any wilful contempt of the Commission.
1
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
2
Operation of the Commission
Part 5
Section 27
No. , 2023
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
17
Part 5--Operation of the Commission
1
2
27 Death or incapacity of member
3
If the member dies, becomes physically or mentally incapable of
4
performing the member's functions or, by notice in writing to the
5
President, resigns the member's appointment, the member's
6
position becomes vacant and the Senate is to appoint a new
7
member in accordance with section 6.
8
28 Remuneration and allowances
9
(1) The member is to be paid the remuneration and allowances
10
applicable to an acting Justice of the Federal Court.
11
(2) A person appointed as the member ceases to hold office in that
12
capacity 7 days after submitting the report of the Commission to
13
the President and the Speaker.
14
29 Staff of the Commission
15
(1) The Commission may appoint staff as considered necessary for the
16
performance of the inquiry.
17
(2) The terms and conditions of appointment (including remuneration)
18
are to be determined by the Commission.
19
(3) While a person is performing services for the Commission
20
pursuant to this section, that person must perform the functions and
21
duties in accordance with the directions of the Commission.
22
30 Protection of member and others
23
(1) The member has, in the performance of the member's functions
24
and the exercise of the member's powers, the same protection and
25
immunity as a Justice of the High Court.
26
(2) A legal practitioner assisting the Commission or representing a
27
person at a hearing before the Commission has the same protection
28
Part 5
Operation of the Commission
Section 31
18
Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
and immunity as a barrister has in appearing for a party in
1
proceedings in the High Court.
2
(3) Subject to this Act, a person summoned to attend or appearing
3
before the Commission as a witness has the same protection as a
4
witness in proceedings in the High Court.
5
31 Legal and financial assistance
6
(1) A person who is appearing or is about to appear, or a person who is
7
entitled to appear, before the Commission may apply to the
8
Commission for assistance under this section.
9
(2) The Commission must obtain the advice of the President in relation
10
to an application.
11
(3) The President may, if the President is satisfied that:
12
(a) it would involve substantial hardship to the person to refuse
13
the application; or
14
(b) the circumstances of the case are of such a nature that the
15
application should be granted;
16
request the Commission to authorise the provision by the
17
Commonwealth to that person such legal or financial assistance in
18
respect of that person's appearance as the President determine.
19
(4) Any request by the President under this section is to be either
20
subject to conditions or unconditional.
21
(5) The Commission must comply with a request under subsection (3).
22
32 Reimbursement of witness expenses
23
(1) A witness (other than a representative of a media outlet) who
24
appears before the Commission in answer to a summons may be
25
paid expenses in accordance with the scale that applies to witnesses
26
appearing before the High Court.
27
(2) The Commission may direct that a witness who appears before a
28
Commission without a summons may be paid expenses in
29
accordance with that scale.
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(3) In applying that scale to a witness, the Commission has the powers
1
and functions of the taxing officer.
2
33 Commission may communicate information
3
If, in the course of its inquiry, the Commission obtains information
4
that relates, or may relate, to the commission of an offence, or
5
evidence of the commission of an offence against a law of the
6
Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory, the Commission may,
7
if in the opinion of the Commission it is appropriate to do so,
8
communicate the information or give the evidence to:
9
(a) the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth or of a State or
10
Territory; or
11
(b) the ACMA; or
12
(c) the Australian Crime Commission; or
13
(d) the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police or of the
14
police force of a State or Territory; or
15
(e) the authority or person responsible for the administration or
16
enforcement of that law.
17
34 Funding
18
Expenditure for the purposes of this Act is to be made from funds
19
appropriated by the Parliament.
20
35 Rules
21
(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument (and subject to
22
subsection (2)), make rules prescribing matters:
23
(a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed by the
24
rules; or
25
(b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or
26
giving effect to this Act.
27
(2) To avoid doubt, the rules may not do the following:
28
(a) create an offence or civil penalty;
29
(b) provide powers of:
30
(i) arrest or detention; or
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Murdoch Media Inquiry Bill 2023
No. , 2023
(ii) entry, search or seizure;
1
(c) impose a tax;
2
(d) set an amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated
3
Revenue Fund under an appropriation in this Act;
4
(e) directly amend the text of this Act.
5