9Power to conduct inquiries

9 Power to conduct inquiries

9 Power to conduct inquiries

(1) The Minister may direct the Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into an issue affecting the night-time economy at any time.

(2) A direction under subsection (1) may be—

(a) at the request of the Commissioner, or

(b) on the Minister’s own initiative.

(3) Without limiting subsection (1), the Minister may direct the Commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the establishment, operation, suspension or revocation of a special entertainment precinct within the meaning of the Local Government Act 1993, section 202.

(4) For the purposes of an inquiry under this section, the Minister may request the attendance or advice of representatives of government agencies, including representatives of agencies that deal with matters relating to the following—

(a) public health,

(b) liquor and gaming,

(c) arts and culture,

(d) planning,

(e) multiculturalism,

(f) policing,

(g) transport,

(h) local government.

(5) As soon as practicable after conducting an inquiry under this section, the Commissioner must—

(a) prepare a report about the inquiry, and

(b) give a copy of the report to the Minister.

(6) The report must include—

(a) recommendations about the matter the subject of the inquiry, and

(b) if the inquiry related to a matter referred to in subsection (3)—recommendations about the establishment or future operation of the special entertainment precinct and the reasons for the recommendations.

(7) The Minister may provide the report to the Presiding Officer of each House of Parliament.

(8) A report provided to the Presiding Officer of a House of Parliament under subsection (7) must be laid before that House within 5 sitting days of that House after it is received by the Presiding Officer.