Commonwealth Numbered Acts

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2011 (NO. 137, 2011) - SECT 271

             (1)  This section applies if a person obtains information or gains access to a document in exercising any power or function under this Act (other than under Part 7).

             (2)  The person must not do any of the following:

                     (a)  disclose to anyone else:

                              (i)  the information; or

                             (ii)  the contents of or information contained in the document;

                     (b)  give access to the document to anyone else;

                     (c)  use the information or document for any purpose.

Penalty:

                     (a)  In the case of an individual--$10 000.

                     (b)  In the case of a body corporate--$50 000.

             (3)  Subsection (2) does not apply to the disclosure of information, or the giving of access to a document or the use of information or a document:

                     (a)  about a person, with the person's consent; or

                     (b)  that is necessary for the exercise of a power or function under this Act; or

                     (c)  that is made or given by the regulator or a person authorised by the regulator if the regulator reasonably believes the disclosure, access or use:

                              (i)  is necessary for administering, or monitoring or enforcing compliance with, this Act; or

                             (ii)  is necessary for the administration or enforcement of another Act prescribed by the regulations; or

                            (iii)  is necessary for the administration or enforcement of another Act or law, if the disclosure, access or use is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious risk to public health or safety; or

                            (iv)  is necessary for the recognition of authorisations under a corresponding WHS law; or

                             (v)  is required for the exercise of a power or function under a corresponding WHS law; or

                     (d)  that is required by any court, tribunal, authority or person having lawful authority to require the production of documents or the answering of questions; or

                     (e)  that is required or authorised under a law; or

                      (f)  to a Minister.

             (4)  A person commits an offence if:

                     (a)  the person (the defendant ) intentionally discloses to another person the name of an individual; and

                     (b)  the individual has made a complaint in relation to the person to whom the individual's name is disclosed; and

                     (c)  the defendant knows or is reckless as to that fact.

However, the defendant does not commit an offence if the disclosure is made with the consent of the individual or is required under a law.

Penalty:

                     (a)  In the case of an individual--$10 000.

                     (b)  In the case of a body corporate--$50 000.