Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983

Contents

1Short title#

This Act may be cited as the Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1983.

2Commencement#

This Act shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by Proclamation.

3Interpretation#

(1)In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears:

appeal includes:

(a)a proceeding of the same nature as an appeal; and

(b)a review or rehearing, or a proceeding of the same nature as a review or rehearing.

appoint includes re-appoint.

authority of the Commonwealth means:

(a)an authority, institution or other body (other than a society, association or incorporated company) established for a public purpose by or under a law of the Commonwealth;

(b)a society, association or incorporated company in which the Commonwealth, or an authority, institution or other body of the kind referred to in paragraph (a), has a controlling interest; or

(c)a person who holds:

(i)an office or position established by or under a law of the Commonwealth;

(ii)an appointment made under a law of the Commonwealth; or

(iii)an appointment made, otherwise than under a law of the Commonwealth, by the Governor-General, by a Minister, or by any other person on behalf of the Executive Government of the Commonwealth or the Administration of a Territory.

CSC (short for Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation) has the same meaning as in the Governance of Australian Government Superannuation Schemes Act 2011.

Deputy Director means the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.

Director means the Director of Public Prosecutions.

law of the Commonwealth includes a law of a Territory, but does not include:

(aa)the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988;

(a)the Northern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978;

(c)a law made under, or continued in force by, an Act referred to in paragraph (aa) or (a).

legal practitioner means a person:

(a)whose name is on the roll of barristers and solicitors of the High Court kept in pursuance of rules in force under the Judiciary Act 1903; or

(b)whose name is on the roll of barristers, of solicitors, of barristers and solicitors or of legal practitioners of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory.

Office means the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions established by subsection 5(1).

paid work means work for financial gain or reward (whether as an employee, a self-employed person or otherwise).

Special Prosecutor means a person holding office as, or acting as, a Special Prosecutor under the Special Prosecutors Act 1982.

State includes the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

Territory does not include the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory.

(2)A reference in this Act to an appointment to prosecute offences against the laws of a State includes a reference to a commission or authority to prosecute such offences.

(3)A provision of this Act that confers on the Director a function or power in relation to a prosecution or proceeding (including a proceeding for the taking of a civil remedy) instituted by another person applies in relation to such a prosecution or proceeding whether instituted before or after the commencement of this Act.

(4)A reference in this Act to a member of the staff of the Office is a reference to:

(a)the Deputy Director; or

(aa)a member of the staff mentioned in subsection 27(1); or

(ab)a person employed under subsection 27(3); or

(b)a person engaged under subsection 28(1); or

(c)a person referred to in section 29 whose services are made available to the Director.

4Extension to external Territories#

This Act extends to all the external Territories.

5Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions#

(1)There is established an Office to be known as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

(2)There is to be a Director of Public Prosecutions and a Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions.

(3)The Office is to consist of the Director and the members of the staff of the Office.

(4)The Director is to control the Office.

(5)For the purposes of the finance law (within the meaning of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013):

(a)the Office is a listed entity; and

(b)the Director is the accountable authority of the Office; and

(c)the persons referred to in subsection (3) are officials of the Office (other than persons engaged under subsection 28(1)); and

(d)the purposes of the Office include the functions of the Director referred to in section 6.

6Functions of Director#

(1)The functions of the Director are:

(a)to institute prosecutions on indictment for indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(b)to carry on prosecutions of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) (not being prosecutions instituted by the Attorney-General or a Special Prosecutor), whether or not instituted by the Director; and

(baa)if the Attorney-General requests the Director in writing to carry on a prosecution of the kind referred to in paragraph (a) that was instituted by the Attorney-General—to carry on that prosecution; and

(ba)where a person holding office as a Special Prosecutor under the Special Prosecutors Act 1982 dies, or ceases for any reason so to hold office and is not forthwith re-appointed—to carry on prosecutions of the kind referred to in paragraph (a), being prosecutions that:

(i)were instituted; or

(ii)were, at the time when the person died or ceased so to hold office, being carried on;

by the person, or by a person acting as a Special Prosecutor under that Act in the place of the first-mentioned person; and

(c)to institute proceedings for the commitment of persons for trial in respect of indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(d)to institute proceedings for the summary conviction of persons in respect of offences against the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(e)to carry on proceedings of a kind referred to in paragraph (c) or (d) (whether or not instituted by the Director); and

(f)to assist a coroner in inquests and inquiries conducted under the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(fa)in respect of relevant matters:

(i)to take civil remedies on behalf of and in the name of the Commonwealth and authorities of the Commonwealth; or

(ii)to co-ordinate or supervise the taking of civil remedies by or on behalf of the Commonwealth and authorities of the Commonwealth;

for, or in connection with, recovery, or ensuring the payment, of amounts of tax; and

(g)in respect of matters in relation to which an instrument under subsection (3) is in force:

(i)to institute proceedings;

(ii)to carry on proceedings (whether or not instituted by the Director); or

(iii)to co-ordinate or supervise the institution or carrying on of proceedings;

for the recovery of pecuniary penalties under the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(h)in respect of relevant matters that are matters in relation to which an instrument under subsection (3) is in force:

(i)to take civil remedies on behalf of and in the name of the Commonwealth and authorities of the Commonwealth; or

(ii)to co-ordinate or supervise the taking of civil remedies by or on behalf of the Commonwealth and authorities of the Commonwealth; and

(j)to consent to prosecutions for offences against the laws of the Commonwealth, being offences of a kind in relation to which an instrument under subsection (4) is in force; and

(ja)to appear in an inquiry by a magistrate held under section 37, or in a proceeding before a magistrate under section 38 or 39, of the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991; and

(k)to appear in proceedings under the Extradition Act 1988, the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995, the International Criminal Court Act 2002 or the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987; and

(m)where the Director, with the consent of the Attorney-General, holds an appointment to prosecute offences against the laws of a State—to institute and carry on, in accordance with the terms of the appointment, prosecutions for such offences; and

(ma)if the Director is authorised by or under a law of a State to institute and carry on appeals arising out of prosecutions of offences against the laws of the State, being prosecutions by the Director as mentioned in paragraph (m) or by members of the staff of the Office as mentioned in subsection 17(1)—to institute and carry on such appeals in accordance with requirements of or under that law; and

(mb)for the purpose of enforcing orders under Chapter 2 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002:

(i)to institute proceedings; or

(ii)to carry on proceedings (whether or not instituted by the Director); or

(iii)to co-ordinate or supervise the institution or carrying on of proceedings;

(n)to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the functions referred to in paragraphs (a) to (mb) and in subsection (2).

(2)In addition to his or her functions under subsection (1), the functions of the Director include:

(a)functions that are conferred on the Director by or under any other law of the Commonwealth; and

(b)such other functions as are prescribed.

(2A)The Director may, with the consent of the person concerned, institute a prosecution of a person on indictment for an indictable offence against the laws of the Commonwealth in respect of which the person has not been examined or committed for trial.

(2B)Where a person has been committed for trial in respect of an indictable offence or indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth, the Director may, whether or not the Director institutes a prosecution on indictment for the offence, or for all or any of the offences, for which the person was committed for trial, institute a prosecution of the person on indictment for:

(a)an offence for which the person was examined but not committed for trial; or

(b)any other offence founded on facts or evidence disclosed in the course of committal proceedings;

without:

(c)where paragraph (a) applies—the person having been committed for trial in respect of the offence; or

(d)where paragraph (b) applies—the person having been examined or committed for trial in respect of the offence.

(2C)Where:

(a)a person has been committed for trial otherwise than in respect of an offence against the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(b)the Director is satisfied:

(i)that the facts or evidence on the basis of which the person was committed for trial disclose the commission of an indictable offence or indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth; and

(ii)that, had the person’s committal for trial for the indictable offence or indictable offences been sought on the basis of those facts or that evidence, the person could have been committed for trial for the indictable offence or indictable offences;

the Director may institute a prosecution on indictment of the person for the indictable offence or indictable offences or any of the indictable offences without the person having been examined or committed for trial.

(2D)Subject to subsection (2E), in any other case where the Director considers it appropriate to do so, the Director may institute a prosecution of a person on indictment for an indictable offence against the laws of the Commonwealth in respect of which the person has not been examined or committed for trial.

(2E)Notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (2D), the Director may not institute a prosecution of a person on indictment for an offence against the War Crimes Act 1945 unless the person has first been examined or committed for trial.

(2F)If a person is committed for trial before a court (the initial court) for one or more indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth, the Director may institute in another court (the later court) a prosecution of the person on indictment for any or all of the offences.

(2G)Subsection (2F) applies even if the Director has instituted a prosecution (the initial prosecution) before the initial court for any or all of the offences. However, the Director must discontinue the initial prosecution in respect of each offence covered by the prosecution in the later court.

(3)The Attorney-General may, by writing signed by the Attorney-General, specify a matter or class of matters for the purposes of paragraph (1)(g) or (h) and, where the Attorney-General so specifies a matter or class of matters, a copy of the instrument specifying that matter or class of matters must be published in the Gazette when the Attorney-General considers it appropriate to do so.

(4)A person who has, pursuant to a law of the Commonwealth, the power to consent to prosecutions for offences of a particular kind against the laws of the Commonwealth (not being a person who has that power by virtue of an authorization granted to the person by another person) may, by instrument in writing published in the Gazette, authorize the Director to consent to prosecutions for offences of that kind, but the giving of such an authorization does not prevent the giving of a consent by a person who, but for this subsection, would have the power to give a consent.

(5)Where the Director consents to a prosecution for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, being an offence of a kind in relation to which an instrument under subsection (4) is in force, the prosecution may be instituted and carried on without the consent of any other person.

(6)The institution or carrying on by the Director of proceedings for the recovery of a pecuniary penalty under a law of the Commonwealth, or any other act or thing done by the Director in relation to such proceedings, must not be challenged or called in question in any court on the ground that the proceedings did not or do not relate to a matter in relation to which paragraph (1)(g) applies.

(7)The taking by the Director of a civil remedy, or any other act or thing done by the Director in relation to the taking of a civil remedy, must not be challenged or called in question in any court on any of the following grounds:

(a)that the taking of the civil remedy did not or does not relate to a relevant matter;

(b)that the civil remedy was not or is not being taken for, or in connection with, recovery, or securing the payment, of an amount of tax;

(c)that the taking of the civil remedy did not or does not relate to a matter in relation to which an instrument under subsection (3) was or is in force.

(8)In this section:

amount of means an amount payable under, or by virtue of, a law of the Commonwealth that imposes, or deals with the imposition, assessment or collection of:

(a)a tax (however described); or

(b)without limiting the generality of paragraph (a), a duty, charge or levy.

relevant matter means a matter connected with, or arising out of:

(a)a prosecution that has been instituted or taken over, or is being carried on, by the Director;

(b)a prosecution that has been instituted by a person other than the Director and that the Director is considering taking over or carrying on, or proposes to take over or carry on;

(c)an alleged or suspected offence in respect of which the Director proposes to institute a prosecution;

(d)in a case where a person other than the Director proposes to institute a prosecution in respect of an alleged or suspected offence and the Director proposes to take over or carry on the prosecution—that alleged or suspected offence;

(e)in a case where:

(i)a course of activity is alleged or suspected to have involved the commission of an offence, whether or not the nature of the offence has been identified; and

(ii)the Director is considering that course of activity for the purpose of deciding whether to institute a prosecution;

that course of activity; or

(f)in a case where:

(i)a course of activity is alleged or suspected to have involved the commission of an offence, whether or not the nature of the offence has been identified;

(ii)a person other than the Director is considering that course of activity for the purpose of deciding whether to institute a prosecution; and

(iii)the Director proposes, if the person institutes a prosecution as a result of that consideration, to take over or carry on the prosecution;

that course of activity.

(9)Where, at the time when the Director first commences to take civil remedies in respect of a particular matter, or first commences to co-ordinate or supervise the taking of civil remedies in respect of a particular matter, the matter is a relevant matter, the matter is taken, for the purposes of this section, to continue to be a relevant matter while the Director continues to take civil remedies in respect of the matter, or to co-ordinate or supervise the taking of civil remedies in respect of the matter, as the case may be.

7Consultation#

(1)The Director must, if requested to do so by the Attorney-General, consult with the Attorney-General with respect to matters concerning the performance of the Director’s functions or the exercise of the Director’s powers.

(2)The Attorney-General must, if requested to do so by the Director, consult with the Director with respect to matters concerning the performance of the Director’s functions or the exercise of the Director’s powers.

8Directions and guidelines by Attorney-General#

(1)In the performance of the Director’s functions and in the exercise of the Director’s powers, the Director is subject to such directions or guidelines as the Attorney-General, after consultation with the Director, gives or furnishes to the Director by instrument in writing.

(2)Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), directions or guidelines under that subsection may:

(a)relate to the circumstances in which the Director should institute or carry on prosecutions for offences;

(b)relate to the circumstances in which undertakings should be given under subsection 9(6); and

(c)be given or furnished in relation to particular cases.

(3)Where the Attorney-General gives a direction or furnishes a guideline under subsection (1), the Attorney-General must:

(a)as soon as practicable after the time that is the relevant time in relation to the instrument containing the direction or guideline, cause a copy of the instrument to be published in the Gazette; and

(b)cause a copy of that instrument to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after that time.

(4)Subject to subsection (5), the relevant time for the purposes of subsection (3), in relation to an instrument under subsection (1), is the time when the instrument is made.

(5)Where:

(a)an instrument under subsection (1) relates to a matter in relation to which proceedings may be instituted or are being carried on; and

(b)the Attorney-General is satisfied that the interests of justice require that the contents of the instrument not be disclosed;

the relevant time for the purposes of subsection (3) in relation to the instrument is whichever is the earlier of the following times:

(c)the time when the Attorney-General ceases to be satisfied as to the matter mentioned in paragraph (b); or

(d)the time when:

(i)it is decided that no proceedings will be instituted in relation to the matter; or

(ii)all proceedings in relation to the matter (including proceedings by way of appeal from, or otherwise arising out of, proceedings in relation to the matter) are determined or discontinued;

as the case may be.

9Powers of Director#

(1)For the purposes of the performance of his or her functions, the Director may prosecute by indictment in his or her official name indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth, but nothing in this subsection prevents the Director from prosecuting an offence against a law of the Commonwealth in any other manner.

(2)Where the Director institutes a prosecution on indictment for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, the indictment must be signed:

(a)by the Director; or

(b)for and on behalf of the Director, by a person authorized by the Director, by instrument in writing, to sign indictments.

(3)For the purposes of the performance of his or her functions, the Director may take over a prosecution on indictment for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, being a prosecution instituted by another person (other than the Attorney-General or a Special Prosecutor).

(3A)Where a person holding office as a Special Prosecutor under the Special Prosecutors Act 1982 dies, or ceases for any reason so to hold office and is not forthwith re-appointed, the Director may, for the purposes of the performance of the Director’s functions, take over a prosecution on indictment for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, being a prosecution that:

(a)was instituted; or

(b)was, at the time when the person died or ceased so to hold office, being carried on;

by the person, or by a person acting as a Special Prosecutor under that Act in the place of the first-mentioned person.

(4)Where:

(a)a person is under commitment, or has been indicted, on a charge of an indictable offence against a law of the Commonwealth; and

(b)the prosecution for the offence was instituted, has been taken over or is being carried on by the Director;

the Director may decline to proceed further in the prosecution and may, if the person is in custody, by warrant signed by the Director, direct the discharge of the person from custody, and where such a direction is given, the person must be discharged accordingly.

(5)For the purposes of the performance of his or her functions, the Director may take over a proceeding that was instituted or is being carried on by another person, being a proceeding:

(a)for the commitment of a person for trial in respect of an indictable offence against a law of the Commonwealth; or

(b)for the summary conviction of a person in respect of an offence against a law of the Commonwealth;

and where the Director takes over such a proceeding, he or she may decline to carry it on further.

(5A)Where the Director is carrying on a proceeding instituted by another person, being a proceeding of the kind mentioned in paragraph (5)(a) or (b), the Director may decline to carry it on further even if the Director has not taken it over under subsection (5).

(6)The Director may, if he or she considers it appropriate to do so, give to a person an undertaking that:

(a)an answer that is given, or a statement or disclosure that is made, by the person in the course of giving evidence in specified proceedings;

(b)the fact that the person discloses or produces a document or other thing in specified proceedings; or

(ba)any information, document or other thing that is obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of an answer that is given, a statement or disclosure that is made, or a document or other thing that is disclosed or produced, in specified proceedings;

will not be used in evidence against the person, and where the Director gives such an undertaking:

(c)an answer that is given, or a statement or disclosure that is made, by the person in the course of giving evidence in the specified proceedings;

(d)the fact that the person discloses or produces a document or other thing in the specified proceedings; or

(e)any information, document or other thing that is obtained as mentioned in paragraph (ba);

as the case may be, is not admissible in evidence against the person in any civil or criminal proceedings in a federal court or in a court of a State or Territory, other than proceedings in respect of the falsity of evidence given by the person.

(6A)In subsection (6):

specified proceedings means:

(a)proceedings for an offence against, or for the imposition of or the recovery of a pecuniary penalty under, a law of the Commonwealth;

(aa)proceedings (including inquiries) under the Crimes (Aviation) Act 1991;

(b)proceedings in Australia under the Extradition Act 1988, the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995 or the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987;

(c)proceedings by way of a coronial inquest or inquiry conducted under the laws of the Commonwealth; or

(d)proceedings under, connected with or arising out of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987, Division 3 of Part XIII of the Customs Act 1901 or the forfeiture of goods under the Customs Act 1901.

(6B)The Director may, if the Director considers it appropriate to do so, give to a person an undertaking that:

(a)an answer that is given, or a statement or disclosure that is made, by the person in the course of giving evidence in State or Territory proceedings;

(b)the fact that the person discloses or produces a document or other thing in State or Territory proceedings; or

(c)any information, document or other thing that is obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of an answer that is given, a statement or disclosure that is made, or a document or other thing that is disclosed or produced in State or Territory proceedings;

will not be used in evidence against the person in any civil or criminal proceedings under a law of the Commonwealth, and where the Director gives such an undertaking:

(d)an answer that is given, or a statement or disclosure that is made, by the person in the course of giving evidence in the State or Territory proceedings;

(e)the fact that the person discloses or produces a document or other thing in the State or Territory proceedings; or

(f)any information, document or other thing that is obtained as mentioned in paragraph (c);

as the case may be, is not admissible in evidence against the person in any civil or criminal proceedings under a law of the Commonwealth in a federal court or in a court of a State or Territory, other than proceedings in respect of the falsity of evidence given by the person.

(6C)In subsection (6B):

State or Territory proceedings means:

(a)proceedings in a State or Territory:

(i)for an offence against, or for the recovery of a pecuniary penalty under, a law of that State or Territory; or

(ii)in respect of a forfeiture order under a law of that State or Territory; or

(b)proceedings in a State or Territory by way of a coronial inquest or inquiry under a law of that State or Territory; or

(c)proceedings in a State or Territory before a prescribed authority or a prescribed body established under a law of that State or Territory.

(6D)The Director may, if the Director considers it appropriate to do so, give to a person an undertaking that the person will not be prosecuted (whether on indictment or summarily):

(a)for a specified offence against a law of the Commonwealth; or

(b)in respect of specified acts or omissions that constitute, or may constitute, an offence against a law of the Commonwealth.

(6E)Where the Director gives to a person an undertaking under subsection (6D), criminal proceedings must not be instituted in a federal court or in a court of a State or Territory against the person in respect of such an offence or in respect of such acts or omissions.

(6F)An undertaking under subsection (6D) may be subject to such conditions (if any) as the Director considers appropriate.

(7)Where the Director has instituted or taken over, or is carrying on, a prosecution for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, the Director may exercise in respect of that prosecution, in addition to such rights of appeal (if any) as are exercisable by him or her otherwise than under this subsection, such rights of appeal (if any) as are exercisable by the Attorney-General in respect of that prosecution.

(8)Nothing in subsection (7) prevents the exercise by the Attorney-General of a right of appeal that, but for that subsection, would be exercisable by the Attorney-General.

(8A)If:

(a)proceedings for the summary conviction of a person in respect of an offence against a law of the Commonwealth were instituted by a person (the relevant person) other than the Director; and

(b)the Director subsequently carried on the proceedings;

then:

(c)in addition to any other rights of appeal the Director has, the Director may exercise, in respect of the proceedings, such rights of appeal as (disregarding the effect of paragraph (d)) are exercisable by the relevant person; and

(d)except where the Attorney-General is the relevant person—the relevant person cannot exercise those rights of appeal.

(8B)If:

(a)proceedings for the summary conviction of a person in respect of an offence against a law of the Commonwealth were instituted by a person (the relevant person) other than the Director; and

(b)the proceedings were not carried on by the Director;

then:

(c)if the relevant person institutes an appeal in respect of the proceedings, the Director may carry on that appeal on behalf of the relevant person; and

(d)if the defendant in the proceedings institutes an appeal in respect of the proceedings, the Director may act on behalf of the respondent in the appeal.

(9)For the purposes of the performance of the function referred to in paragraph 6(1)(g), the Director may institute, in the name of the Commonwealth or of an authority of the Commonwealth, proceedings for the recovery of a pecuniary penalty under a law of the Commonwealth.

(10)For the purposes of the performance of a function referred to in paragraph 6(1)(fa) or (h), the Director may take, in the name of the Commonwealth or of an authority of the Commonwealth, civil remedies on behalf of the Commonwealth or of that authority, as the case may be.

(11)Where an authority of the Commonwealth is a party to a proceeding in respect of a matter:

(a)that has arisen out of or is connected with the performance of any of the functions of the Director; or

(b)that may result in the performance by the Director of such a function;

the Director, or a person who is entitled to represent the Director in proceedings referred to in subsection 15(1), may act as counsel or solicitor for that authority.

10Powers and functions of Director do not affect those of certain other persons#

(1)Nothing in this Act affects:

(a)the power of each of the following persons to prosecute by indictment in the person’s own name indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth:

(i)the Attorney-General;

(ii)a Special Prosecutor;

(iii)a person appointed by the Governor-General; or

(b)the power of each of the following persons to prosecute by information in the person’s own name indictable offences triable before the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory:

(i)the Attorney-General;

(ii)a Special Prosecutor;

(iii)a person appointed by the Attorney-General; or

(c)the power under section 61 of the Judiciary Act 1903 of the Attorney-General or of a person appointed by the Attorney-General; or

(d)the power under section 71 of the Judiciary Act 1903 of the Attorney-General or of a person appointed by the Governor-General; or

(e)the power under subsection 53(6) of the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court Act 1933 of the Attorney-General or of a person appointed by the Attorney-General; or

(f)the power of a Special Prosecutor under subsection 8(2) of the Special Prosecutors Act 1982.

(2)Nothing in this Act (other than subsection 9(5)) affects the right of a person to institute or carry on proceedings for:

(a)the commitment of persons for trial in respect of indictable offences against the laws of the Commonwealth; or

(b)the summary conviction of persons in respect of offences against the laws of the Commonwealth.

(3)Nothing in this Act affects the right of a person:

(a)to institute or carry on proceedings for the recovery of pecuniary penalties under the laws of the Commonwealth; or

(b)to take civil remedies on behalf of the Commonwealth or of authorities of the Commonwealth.

11Directions and guidelines by Director#

(1)The Director may, by instrument in writing, give directions, or furnish guidelines, to:

(a)the Commissioner of Police of the Australian Federal Police;

(b)the Australian Government Solicitor; or

(c)any other person who:

(i)conducts investigations in relation to offences against the laws of the Commonwealth; or

(ii)institutes or carries on prosecutions for offences against the laws of the Commonwealth;

with respect to the prosecution of offences against the laws of the Commonwealth.

(2)Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), directions or guidelines under that subsection may be given or furnished in relation to particular cases and may specify:

(a)an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, being an offence a matter relating to which is to be referred to the Director for the institution or carrying on of a prosecution for that offence; or

(b)a class of offences against the laws of the Commonwealth, being offences matters relating to which are to be referred to the Director for the institution or carrying on of prosecutions for those offences.

(3)The Director must:

(a)give to the Attorney-General a copy of each direction given or guideline furnished under subsection (1); and

(b)include in an annual report given to the Minister under section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 for a period:

(i)a copy of each direction given or guideline furnished under subsection (1) of this section during the period; and

(ii)a copy of each direction given or guideline furnished under subsection (1) of this section as in force at the end of the period.

12Provision of information to Director#

Where a prosecution for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth has been instituted, or is being carried on, by a person other than the Director and:

(a)the Director informs the person that the Director is considering taking over the prosecution or directing that the matter be referred to the Director for the carrying on of the prosecution;

(b)the Director takes over the prosecution or directs that the matter be referred to the Director for the carrying on of the prosecution; or

(c)the person considers that the Director should take over the prosecution or that the matter should be referred to the Director for the carrying on of the prosecution;

the person must give to the Director:

(d)a full report of the circumstances of the matter;

(e)a copy of the statements of any witnesses;

(f)each material document in the possession of the person; and

(g)such other information or material as the Director requires.

13Director may request assistance of Commissioner of Police#

Where the Director:

(a)is considering instituting, taking over or carrying on, or has instituted or taken over, or is carrying on, a prosecution for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth; and

(b)is of the opinion that a matter connected with, or arising out of, the offence requires further investigation;

the Director may, by instrument in writing, request the Commissioner of Police of the Australian Federal Police for the assistance of the Commissioner, a Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police or AFP employees (within the meaning of the Australian Federal Police Act 1979) in the investigation of that matter, and where the Director so requests, the Commissioner must, so far as practicable, comply with the request.

14Director to inform court when taking over or carrying on proceedings#

(1)Where:

(a)pursuant to subsection 9(3), (3A) or (5), the Director takes over a prosecution or proceeding; or

(b)the Director decides to carry on:

(i)a prosecution for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth; or

(ii)a proceeding for the recovery of a pecuniary penalty under a law of the Commonwealth;

being a prosecution or proceeding that was instituted or is being carried on by another person;

the Director must, as soon as practicable:

(c)by notice in writing, inform the registrar or other proper officer of the court in which the prosecution or proceeding is to be heard; or

(d)if the prosecution or proceeding is being heard by a judge or magistrate—in such manner as the Director thinks fit, inform the judge or magistrate;

that the Director has taken over, or is carrying on, as the case may be, the prosecution or proceeding, but failure of the Director to do so does not affect any of the Director’s powers in relation to the prosecution or proceeding.

(2)From the time when the Director complies with subsection (1) in relation to a prosecution or proceeding that the Director has taken over, the Director is taken for all purposes to be the prosecutor, informant or complainant, as the case requires, in that prosecution or proceeding.

15Appearances by and on behalf of Director#

(1)In:

(a)proceedings:

(i)instituted, taken over or carried on by the Director;

(ii)to which the Director is, or is seeking to become, a party;

(iii)in which the Director intervenes or seeks to intervene; or

(iv)of a kind referred to in paragraph 6(1)(k);

(b)an inquest or inquiry conducted under a law of the Commonwealth, being an inquest or inquiry in which the Director is assisting the coroner; or

(c)proceedings by way of appeal from, or otherwise arising out of, proceedings of a kind referred to in paragraph (a) or an inquest or inquiry of the kind referred to in paragraph (b);

the Director may appear in person or may be represented:

(d)by a member of the staff of the Office who is a legal practitioner;

(da)by a member of the staff of a State or Territory authority who is a legal practitioner;

(e)by counsel or solicitor; or

(f)by the Australian Government Solicitor.

(3)In this section:

State or Territory authority means the agency of a State or Territory Government that is responsible for commencing and carrying on prosecutions on indictment for breaches of State or Territory law.

15AAppearances on behalf of Director in summary or committal proceedings#

Without limiting the class of persons who may represent the Director under section 15, in proceedings for the summary conviction of a person or for the commitment of a person for trial in respect of an indictable offence (whether the proceedings were instituted before or are instituted after the commencement of this section), the Director may be represented by a member of the Australian Federal Police, or a member of the police force of a State or Territory, whether or not the member concerned is a legal practitioner.

16Right of Director and staff to practise in their official capacity#

(1)This section applies in relation to the Director or a member of the staff of the Office who is a legal practitioner.

(2)The person is, in the person’s official capacity:

(a)entitled to practise as a barrister, solicitor, or barrister and solicitor, in a federal court or in a court of a State or Territory; and

(b)entitled to all the rights and privileges of a barrister, solicitor, or barrister and solicitor, as the case may be, in that court.

(3)Subsection (2) applies whether or not the person would, but for this section, be entitled to practise in that court.

16AProhibition of publication of evidence etc. in certain proceedings#

(1)Where the Director takes civil remedies, or co-ordinates or supervises the taking of civil remedies, in respect of a matter, a court may, at any time during or after the taking of civil remedies in respect of the matter, make, in relation to a proceeding in the court that relates to the taking of civil remedies in respect of the matter, such order prohibiting or restricting the publication of particular evidence, or of particular information, as appears to the court to be necessary in order to prevent prejudice to the administration of justice.

(1A)Where the Director institutes or carries on proceedings for the recovery of pecuniary penalties, or co-ordinates or supervises the institution or carrying on of proceedings for the recovery of pecuniary penalties, in respect of a matter, a court may, at any time during or after the completion of proceedings for the recovery of pecuniary penalties in respect of the matter, make, in relation to a proceeding in the court that relates to the recovery of pecuniary penalties in respect of the matter, such order prohibiting or restricting the publication of particular evidence, or of particular information, as appears to the court to be necessary in order to prevent prejudice to the administration of justice.

(1B)If the Director applies to the Supreme Court of a State or Territory:

(a)under subsection 43(1) of the Proceeds of Crime Act 1987 for a restraining order under that Act; or

(b)under subsection 57(3) of that Act for an extension of such a restraining order;

the Court may, at any time after the making of the application and before the application is determined, make an order prohibiting or restricting the publication of all or any of the matters referred to in subsection 44(3), (5), (6), (7) or (7A) of that Act that were contained in an affidavit made in support of the application if it appears to the Court to be necessary to make the order in order to prevent prejudice to the administration of justice.

Note: If the Director (or the Commissioner for the Australian Federal Police) applies for a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, a court may make an order corresponding to the order mentioned in this subsection under section 28A of that Act.

(2)The power conferred by subsection (1), (1A) or (1B) is in addition to, and does not limit, any other power of a court.

(3)In this section, proceeding means:

(a)a proceeding in a court;

(b)an incidental proceeding in the course of, or in connection with, a proceeding; or

(c)an appeal;

but does not include a criminal proceeding.

17States may give members of staff of Office prosecution and appeal functions relating to State offences#

(1)Where a member of the staff of the Office, with the consent of the Attorney-General, holds an appointment to prosecute offences against the laws of a State, the member may institute and carry on, in accordance with the terms of the appointment, prosecutions for such offences.

(2)If a member of the staff of the Office is authorised by or under a law of a State to institute and carry on appeals arising out of prosecutions of offences against the laws of the State, being prosecutions by the Director as mentioned in paragraph 6(1)(m) or by members of the staff of the Office as mentioned in subsection (1) of this section, the first-mentioned staff member may institute and carry on such appeals in accordance with requirements of or under that law.

18Appointment, and terms and conditions of appointment, of the Director#

(1)The Director is to be appointed by the Governor-General by written instrument.

Note: The Director may be reappointed: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(2)The Director holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 7 years.

(3)A person must not be appointed as the Director unless:

(a)the person is a legal practitioner; and

(b)the person has been a legal practitioner for at least 5 years.

(4)The Director holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Governor-General.

18AAppointment, and terms and conditions of appointment, of the Deputy Director#

(1)The Deputy Director is to be appointed by the Governor-General by written instrument.

Note: The Deputy Director may be reappointed: see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(2)The Deputy Director holds office for the period specified in the instrument of appointment. The period must not exceed 7 years.

(3)A person must not be appointed as the Deputy Director unless:

(a)the person is a legal practitioner; and

(b)the person has been a legal practitioner for at least 5 years.

(4)The Deputy Director holds office on the terms and conditions (if any) in relation to matters not covered by this Act that are determined by the Governor-General.

18BExercise of powers and functions by Deputy Director#

(1)Subject to any directions of the Director, the Deputy Director has all the powers and functions of the Director, except the Director’s powers of delegation under section 31.

(2)A power or function that is exercised or performed by the Deputy Director is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been exercised or performed by the Director.

(3)Where, under this Act, the exercise of a power or performance of a function by the Director depends on the opinion, belief or state of mind of the Director in relation to a matter, the power or function may be exercised or performed by the Deputy Director depending on the opinion, belief or state of mind of the Deputy Director in relation to that matter.

19Remuneration and allowances#

Director’s remuneration and allowances

(1)The Director is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the Director is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.

(2)The Director is to be paid the allowances that are prescribed by the regulations.

Deputy Director’s remuneration and allowances

(3)The Deputy Director is to be paid the remuneration that is determined by the Remuneration Tribunal. If no determination of that remuneration by the Tribunal is in operation, the Deputy Director is to be paid the remuneration that is prescribed by the regulations.

(4)The Deputy Director is to be paid allowances that are the same as the Director’s allowances.

Interaction with the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973

(5)This section has effect subject to the Remuneration Tribunal Act 1973.

20Leave of absence#

(1)The Director and Deputy Director have such recreation leave entitlements as are determined by the Remuneration Tribunal.

(2)The Attorney-General may grant the Director leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise as the Attorney-General determines.

(3)The Director may grant the Deputy Director leave of absence, other than recreation leave, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration or otherwise as the Director determines.

21Resignation#

(1)The Director may resign the Director’s appointment by giving the Governor-General a written resignation.

(2)The Deputy Director may resign the Deputy Director’s appointment by giving the Governor-General a written resignation.

(3)The resignation takes effect on the day it is received by the Governor-General or, if a later day is specified in the resignation, on that later day.

22Director or Deputy Director not to undertake other work#

The Director or Deputy Director (the office-holder) must not:

(a)engage in practice as a legal practitioner outside the duties of the office-holder’s office; or

(b)engage in paid work outside the duties of the office-holder’s office without the Attorney-General’s approval.

Note: For the definition of paid work, see subsection 3(1).

23Termination of appointment#

(1)The Governor-General may terminate the appointment of the Director or Deputy Director (the office-holder):

(a)for misbehaviour; or

(b)if the office-holder is unable to perform the duties of the office-holder’s office because of physical or mental incapacity.

(2)The Governor-General must terminate the appointment of an office-holder if:

(a)the office-holder:

(i)becomes bankrupt; or

(ii)applies to take the benefit of any law for the relief of bankrupt or insolvent debtors; or

(iii)compounds with the office-holder’s creditors; or

(iv)makes an assignment of the office-holder’s remuneration for the benefit of the office-holder’s creditors; or

(b)the office-holder is absent, except on leave of absence, for 14 consecutive days or for 28 days in any 12 months; or

(c)the office-holder engages in practice as a legal practitioner outside the duties of the office-holder’s office (see paragraph 22(a)); or

(d)the office-holder engages, except with the Attorney-General’s approval, in paid work outside the duties of the office-holder’s office (see paragraph 22(b)); or

(e)the office-holder fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the office-holder’s obligations under:

(i)section 24; or

(ii)section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests) or rules made for the purposes of that section.

(3)Despite anything in this section, if the office-holder:

(a)is an eligible employee for the purposes of the Superannuation Act 1976; and

(b)has not reached the maximum retiring age (within the meaning of that Act);

the office-holder is not capable of being retired from office on the ground of invalidity (within the meaning of Part IVA of that Act) unless CSC has given a certificate under section 54C of that Act.

(4)Despite anything in this section, if the office-holder:

(a)is a member of the superannuation scheme established by deed under the Superannuation Act 1990; and

(b)is under 60 years of age;

the office-holder is not capable of being retired from office on the ground of invalidity (within the meaning of that Act) unless CSC has given a certificate under section 13 of that Act.

(5)Despite anything in this section, if the office-holder:

(a)is an ordinary employer-sponsored member of PSSAP, within the meaning of the Superannuation Act 2005; and

(b)is under 60 years of age;

the office-holder is not capable of being retired from office on the ground of invalidity (within the meaning of that Act) unless CSC has given an approval and certificate under section 43 of that Act.

24Disclosure of interests#

(1)The Director must give written notice to the Attorney-General of all direct and indirect pecuniary interests that the Director has or acquires in any business, whether in Australia or elsewhere, or in any body corporate carrying on any such business.

(2)The Deputy Director must give written notice to the Attorney-General of all direct and indirect pecuniary interests that the Deputy Director has or acquires in any business, whether in Australia or anywhere else, or in any body corporate carrying on any such business.

(3)This section applies in addition to section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests).

25Oath or affirmation of office#

(1)The Director or Deputy Director (the office-holder) must make an oath or affirmation in relation to the office-holder’s office in accordance with the form of oath or affirmation in the Schedule.

(2)The office-holder must not perform the duties of the office unless the office-holder has made the oath or affirmation.

(3)The oath or affirmation must be administered by:

(a)the Attorney-General; or

(b)a person authorised by the Attorney-General; or

(c)a justice of the peace.

26Acting appointments—Director#

(1)The Attorney-General may appoint a person who is eligible for appointment as the Director to act in the office of Director:

(a)during a vacancy in that office, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to that office; or

(b)during any period, or during all periods, when the person holding that office is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any other reason, unable to perform the functions of that office.

Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(1A)The Deputy Director is to act in the office of Director:

(a)during a vacancy in that office; and

(b)during all periods when the Director is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the functions of the office;

except when a person appointed under subsection (1) is acting in that position.

Note: For rules that apply to persons acting as the Director, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(3)The Attorney-General may:

(a)determine the terms and conditions, including remuneration and allowances, if any, on which a person is to act under this section; and

(b)terminate an appointment under this section at any time.

(5)Sections 20, 24 and 25 apply in relation to a person appointed under this section to act in the office of Director in like manner as they apply in relation to the Director.

26AActing appointments—Deputy Director#

(1)The Attorney-General may appoint a person who is eligible for appointment as the Deputy Director to act in the office of Deputy Director:

(a)during a vacancy in that office, whether or not an appointment has previously been made to it; or

(b)during any period, or during all periods, when the Deputy Director is absent from duty or from Australia or is, for any reason, unable to perform the functions of the office.

Note: For rules that apply to acting appointments, see section 33A of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901.

(2)Sections 20, 24 and 25 apply to a person appointed under this section to act in the office of Deputy Director in the same way as they apply to the Deputy Director.

27Staff#

(1)The staff of the Office must be persons engaged under the Public Service Act 1999.

(2)For the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999:

(a)the Director and the APS employees assisting the Director together constitute a Statutory Agency; and

(b)the Director is the Head of that Statutory Agency.

(3)In addition to the staff referred to in subsection (1), the Director may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, employ, under agreements in writing, such persons as the Director thinks necessary for the purposes of the performance of the functions of the Director.

(4)The terms and conditions of employment of persons employed by the Director under subsection (3) are such as are from time to time determined by the Director.

28Engagement of consultants etc.#

(1)The Director may, on behalf of the Commonwealth, engage, under agreements in writing, persons having suitable qualifications and experience as consultants to, or to perform services for, the Director.

(2)The terms and conditions of engagement of a person engaged by the Director under subsection (1) are such as are from time to time determined by the Director.

29Staff on secondment to Director#

In addition to members of the staff referred to in subsection 27(1) and persons engaged under subsection 28(1), the Director may be assisted by:

(a)officers and employees of authorities of the Commonwealth whose services are made available to the Director; and

(b)persons whose services are made available to the Director pursuant to arrangements made under section 30.

30Administrative arrangements#

(1)The Attorney-General may make an arrangement with the appropriate Minister of the Crown of a State under which the State will, from time to time as agreed upon under the arrangement, make available a person who is an officer or employee of the State or of an authority of the State or a member of the Police Force of the State, to perform services for the Director.

(2)An arrangement under subsection (1) may provide for the Commonwealth to reimburse a State with respect to the services of a person or persons to whom the arrangement relates.

31Delegation by Director#

(1)The Director may, either generally or as otherwise provided by the instrument of delegation, in writing, delegate to a member of the staff of the Office (other than the Deputy Director) all or any of his or her functions or powers under this Act, other than those under subsections 6(2D), 9(2) and 9(6D) and this power of delegation.

(1AA)If a function is delegated under subsection (1) to a person referred to in paragraph 29(b), the person need not accept the function delegated.

(1A)The Director may, in writing, delegate to a person who:

(a)is a member of the staff of the Office; and

(b)is an SES employee; and

(c)is a legal practitioner;

the power conferred on the Director by one or more instruments made under subsection 6(4).

(1B)The Director may, either generally or as otherwise provided by the instrument of delegation, in writing, delegate to:

(a)a person performing a similar role under a law of a State or Territory; or

(b)a member of the staff of a State or Territory authority (within the meaning of subsection 15(3)) who is a legal practitioner; or

(c)a person authorised by, or under, a law of a State or Territory to institute or conduct prosecutions for offences against the laws of the State or Territory; or

(d)a person included in a class of persons prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph;

all or any of the Director’s functions and powers under the following provisions:

(e)paragraphs 6(1)(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e);

(f)paragraph 6(1)(n) (so far as it relates to the functions covered by paragraph (e) of this subsection);

(g)subsections 6(2A), (2B) and (2C);

(h)subsections 9(7), (8A) and (8B);

(i)other provisions of this Act prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this paragraph.

(1C)If a function is delegated under subsection (1B) to a person, the person need not accept the function delegated.

(2)A function or power so delegated, when performed or exercised by the delegate, is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been performed or exercised by the Director.

(3)A delegation under this section does not prevent the performance of a function or the exercise of a power by the Director.

31AAuthorisation of persons in cases of conflict of interest#

Scope

(1)This section applies if the Director considers that it is not appropriate for the Director to perform a function or exercise a power of the Director under this or any other Act (other than a power of delegation under section 31) because of a conflict of interest, potential conflict of interest or perceived conflict of interest of the Director.

Authorisation

(2)The Attorney-General may, in writing, authorise a person to perform the function or exercise the power if the person is:

(a)a member of the staff of the Office; and

(b)an APS employee, or acting APS employee, who is:

(i)classified as SES Band 2 or equivalent or higher; or

(ii)acting in a position usually occupied by an APS employee who is so classified; and

(c)a legal practitioner.

(3)Without limiting subsection (2), an authorisation may authorise a person to perform a function or exercise a power:

(a)in relation to specified proceedings; or

(b)in relation to specified acts or omissions; or

(c)in specified circumstances.

(4)This section does not limit, and is not limited by, section 31.

31BAuthorised persons—requirements and functions etc.#

Variation and revocation of authorisations

(1)The Attorney-General may, in writing, vary or revoke an authorisation under section 31A at any time.

Exercise of functions and powers by authorised person

(2)If a function or power of the Director is performed or exercised by a person under an authorisation under section 31A, the power or function is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been performed or exercised by the Director.

(3)If:

(a)under this Act, the Director’s performance of a function, or the Director’s exercise of a power, is dependent upon the Director’s opinion, belief or state of mind in relation to a matter; and

(b)a person is authorised under section 31A to perform or exercise that function or power;

the person may perform that function, or may exercise that power, upon the person’s opinion, belief or state of mind in relation to that matter.

(4)An authorisation of a person under section 31A does not prevent the performance or exercise of a function or power by the Director, other than the function or power the person is authorised to perform or exercise.

Requirements for authorised person

(5)A person authorised under section 31A must give written notice to the Attorney-General of all direct and indirect pecuniary interests that the person has or acquires in any business, whether in Australia or anywhere else, or in any body corporate carrying on any such business.

(6)Subsection (5) applies in addition to section 29 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (which deals with the duty to disclose interests).

32Arrangements with the Australian Government Solicitor#

(1)The Director may arrange with the Australian Government Solicitor (the AGS) for the AGS to perform or exercise, in a State or Territory, all or any of the Director’s functions or powers under this Act:

(a)in the name of the Director; and

(b)subject to such conditions and restrictions as are specified in the arrangement.

If such an arrangement is made, the AGS may perform or exercise those functions or powers accordingly.

(2)The Director must, as soon as practicable after an arrangement has been made under subsection (1), cause an instrument in writing setting out the terms of the arrangement to be published in the Gazette, but failure of the Director to do so does not affect the validity of the arrangement.

(3)Where the AGS, in the performance or purported performance of a function of the Director, or in the exercise or purported exercise of a power of the Director, does an act in the name of the Director:

(a)the act is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have been done by the Director; and

(b)the act must not be challenged or called in question in any court on the ground that the function or power, as the case may be, was not the subject of an arrangement under subsection (1) or was performed or exercised otherwise than in accordance with such an arrangement.

32AImmunity from civil proceedings#

(1)No civil action, suit or proceeding lies against the following persons:

(a)the Director;

(b)a member of the staff of the Office;

(c)a person to whom functions or powers are delegated under section 31;

in relation to an act done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the person in the performance or exercise, or the purported performance or exercise, of any function, duty or power under, or in relation to, this Act.

(2)No civil action, suit or proceeding lies against a person employed under subsection 27(3) in relation to an act done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the person for the purposes of the performance of the functions of the Director.

Note: Subsection (1) applies to the extent that the Director’s functions or powers are delegated to a person employed under subsection 27(3).

(3)No civil action, suit or proceeding lies against a person referred to in section 29 whose services are made available to the Director in relation to an act done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the person for the purpose of assisting the Director.

Note: Subsection (1) applies to the extent that the Director’s functions or powers are delegated to a person referred to in section 29 whose services are made available to the Director.

(4)No civil action, suit or proceeding lies against the AGS in relation to an act done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the AGS in performing a function or exercising a power under an arrangement made under subsection 32(1).

(5)No civil action, suit or proceeding lies against:

(a)the Australian Government Solicitor (the AGS); or

(b)another AGS lawyer (within the meaning of section 55I of the Judiciary Act 1903);

in relation to an act done, or omitted to be done, in good faith by the person in assisting the AGS to perform a function or exercise a power under an arrangement made under subsection 32(1) of this Act.

33AService of process on the Director#

If a process is addressed to the Director and personal service would be effective, then service within the State or Territory in which the process was issued or filed, on the following persons, in person, is also effective:

(a)a member of the staff of the Office who is a legal practitioner;

(b)if an arrangement has been made under section 32 with respect to that State or Territory—an AGS lawyer (within the meaning of section 55I of the Judiciary Act 1903) authorised in writing by the Australian Government Solicitor.

34Regulations#

The Governor-General may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing matters:

(a)required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed; or

(b)necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

Schedule

Sections 25 and 26

OATH

I, A. B., do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to (insert name of the Sovereign), (insert applicable pronoun, such as “His” or “Her”) Heirs and Successors according to law and that I will well and truly serve (insert applicable pronoun, such as “Him” or “Her”) in the office of

So help me God!

AFFIRMATION

I, A. B., do solemnly and sincerely promise and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to (insert name of the Sovereign), (insert applicable pronoun, such as “His” or “Her”) Heirs and Successors according to law and that I will well and truly serve (insert applicable pronoun, such as “Him” or “Her”) in the office of

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at legislation.gov.au, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Compilations may have been reformatted.