Western Australian Current Acts

WORKING WITH CHILDREN (SCREENING) ACT 2004 - SECT 34O

34O .         Directions to provide information or documents

        (1)         An authorised officer may, for an authorised purpose, do any of the following —

            (a)         direct a person —

                  (i)         to give information; or

                  (ii)         to answer a question put by the officer;

            (b)         direct a person to produce a record or document that is in the person’s possession or under the person’s control;

            (c)         make a copy of a record or document produced in response to a direction under paragraph (b).

        (2)         A direction under subsection (1)(a) —

            (a)         must specify the time at or within which the information or answer must be given; and

            (b)         may require that the information or answer —

                  (i)         be given orally or in writing; and

                  (ii)         be given at, or sent or delivered to, a place specified in the direction; and

                  (iii)         in the case of written information or a written answer — be sent or delivered by a means specified in the direction; and

                  (iv)         be verified by statutory declaration.

        (3)         A direction under subsection (1)(b) —

            (a)         must specify the time at or within which the record or document must be produced; and

            (b)         may require that the record or document be produced —

                  (i)         at a place specified in the direction; and

                  (ii)         by a means specified in the direction.

        (4)         A person is not excused from complying with a direction under this section to give information, answer a question or produce a record or document on the ground that complying with the direction might tend to incriminate the person or render the person liable to a penalty.

        (5)         However, any information or answer given by an individual in compliance with a direction under this section is not admissible in evidence against the individual in criminal or civil proceedings other than proceedings for perjury or for an offence under section 35.

        (6)         In directing a person under this section, an authorised officer must explain to the person —

            (a)         that it is an offence to contravene the direction; and

            (b)         the effect of subsections (4) and (5).

        (7)         A direction under this section may be given orally or in writing.

        [Section 34O inserted: No. 47 of 2022 s. 29.]