(1)  In or before a criminal proceeding, a defendant may –

(a) admit matters of fact; and

(b) give any consent –

that a party to a civil proceeding may make or give.

(2)  A defendant's admission or consent is not effective for the purposes of subsection (1) unless –

(a) the defendant has been advised to do so by his or her Australian legal practitioner or legal counsel; or

(b) the court is satisfied that the defendant understands the consequences of making the admission or giving the consent.