159Disclosure of information

159 Disclosure of information

159 Disclosure of information

(1) A person who discloses information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of this Act is guilty of an offence unless the disclosure is made—

(a) with the consent of the person from whom the information was obtained, or

(b) in connection with the administration or execution of this Act or the regulations, or

(c) for the purposes of legal proceedings, or a report about legal proceedings, arising out of this Act or the regulations, or

(d) in accordance with a requirement imposed under the Ombudsman Act 1974, or

(e) with a lawful excuse.

Maximum penalty—10 penalty units or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 12 months, or both.

(2) It is not an offence under this section for the Children’s Guardian to disclose information to an Official Community Visitor, who has made a report under section 147, concerning action taken as a consequence of the report if the Children’s Guardian is of the opinion that disclosure of the information is not inconsistent with the objects and principles of this Act.