24Regulator may investigate reportable allegation or reportable conviction

24 Regulator may investigate reportable allegation or reportable conviction

(1)  The Regulator may, of the Regulator's own motion, conduct an investigation concerning a reportable allegation made against, or reportable conviction recorded against, a worker of a relevant entity if the Regulator –

(a) receives information about the reportable allegation or reportable conviction from any person; and

(b) believes on reasonable grounds that reportable conduct may have been committed by a worker of the relevant entity; and

(c) considers that it is in the public interest that the Regulator investigate the reportable allegation or reportable conviction.

(2)  The Regulator may, of the Regulator's own motion, conduct an investigation concerning a reportable allegation or reportable conviction against a worker of a relevant entity if the Regulator is advised by the head of the relevant entity that the relevant entity is not able, or does not intend, to comply with section 35(1) in relation to the reportable allegation or reportable conviction.

(3)  The Regulator may, of the Regulator's own motion or in response to a complaint, conduct an investigation concerning any inappropriate handling of, or response to, a reportable allegation or a reportable conviction by a relevant entity or an entity regulator if the Regulator considers that it is in the public interest to do so.

(4)  At the conclusion of an investigation by the Regulator in relation to the relevant entity to which the investigation was related, the Regulator –

(a) must make findings, give reasons for the findings and make recommendations, if any, for action to be taken in relation to the matter investigated; and

(b) must provide to the head of the relevant entity the findings, reasons and recommendations, if any, of the Regulator, together with any necessary information relating to the recommendations; and

(c) may provide to the entity regulator in relation to the relevant entity the recommendations of the Regulator for action to be taken by the entity regulator.