Commonwealth Numbered Regulations Commonwealth Numbered RegulationsInviolability of premises, archives and documents
(1) The following are inviolable:
(a) the ICRC's premises;
(b) the archives of the ICRC;
(c) all documents held by, or belonging to, the ICRC.
Immunity from legal process
(2) The ICRC, and the property and assets of the ICRC (regardless of who holds the assets or property), have immunity from any kind of legal process, other than a suit or other legal process for:
(a) recovery of damages for any damage, injury or death resulting from an accident involving a motor vehicle owned or operated on behalf of the ICRC; or
(b) any contract entered into by the ICRC for the supply of goods or services; or
(c) any loan, or other transaction for the provision of finance, by or to the ICRC; or
(d) any contract of guarantee or indemnity to which the ICRC is a party; or
(e) a counter-claim made against the ICRC by a party to proceedings instituted by the ICRC; or
(f) for the attachment, in accordance with a final order of a court, of any amount payable as salary, wages or other remuneration by the ICRC to any person who holds an office in the ICRC or any expert assisting the ICRC.
(3) Subsection (2) applies whether the property or an asset of the ICRC is held by the ICRC or another person.
(4) The ICRC may waive the immunity mentioned in subsection (2).
Immunity from interference
(5) The property and assets of the ICRC have immunity from search, seizure, requisition, confiscation, expropriation and any other form of interference.
Privileges and immunities relating to customs duties, import and export restrictions, and indirect tax
(a) articles (including ICRC publications and audio-visual materials) for official use; and
(b) articles intended for ICRC assistance programmes within Australia or another country.
(7) Subsection (6) does not affect the application of:
(a) any law with respect to quarantine; or
(b) any law that prohibits or restricts the importation into, or the exportation from, Australia of any animals, plants or goods.
(8) Subsection (7) does not prejudice any immunity from suit or from civil or criminal process conferred by this regulation.
(9) The ICRC's privileges in relation to indirect tax are limited to:
(a) the exemption conferred by section 11B of the Act; and
(b) concessions under section 11C of the Act in relation to acquisitions mentioned in Division 4.
Immunity from financial restrictions
(10) The ICRC has immunity from laws and regulations in relation to exchange control and related matters, and may, while carrying out its activities:
(a) hold funds, currency of any kind and other financial assets, and operate accounts in any currency; and
(b) transfer its funds or currency to, from and within Australia, and convert any currency held by it into any other currency.
Privileges and immunities relating to communications
(11) The ICRC's official mail and other official communications and correspondence must receive treatment that is no less favourable than that given to any intergovernmental organisation or diplomatic mission in Australia in relation to priorities, rates, taxes, fees and surcharges.
(12) The ICRC's official communications and correspondence to and from the ICRC's premises must not be censored.
(13) The confidentiality of ICRC reports, correspondence and other communications must be respected, and the contents of these reports, communications and other correspondence must not be:
(a) divulged to persons or organisations other than the persons for whom they are intended; or
(b) used in the course of legal proceedings;
without prior written authorisation from the ICRC.
(14) The ICRC may use all appropriate means of communication, including electronic communication, and has the right to use codes or cipher for its official communications and correspondence.
(15) The ICRC has the right to dispatch and receive correspondence and other communications by courier or in sealed bags, with the same privileges, immunities and facilities as diplomatic couriers and bags.
(16) The ICRC may, in compliance with applicable Australian laws:
(a) operate a corporate network between its offices within and outside Australia for voice and data services; and
(b) install and operate in Australia point-to-point telecommunication facilities and other communication and transmission facilities as may be necessary to facilitate communications with the ICRC's premises within and outside Australia.