61Privilege in respect of self-incrimination

61 Privilege in respect of self-incrimination

61 Privilege in respect of self-incrimination

(cf Coroners Act 1980, s 33AA)

(1) This section applies if a witness in coronial proceedings objects to giving particular evidence, or evidence on a particular matter, on the ground that the evidence may tend to prove that the witness—

(a) has committed an offence against or arising under an Australian law or a law of a foreign country, or

(b) is liable to a civil penalty.

(2) The coroner in the coronial proceedings must determine whether or not there are reasonable grounds for the objection.

(3) If the coroner determines that there are reasonable grounds for the objection, the coroner is to inform the witness—

(a) that the witness need not give the evidence unless required by the coroner to do so under subsection (4), and

(b) that the coroner will give a certificate under this section if—

(i) the witness willingly gives the evidence without being required to do so under subsection (4), or

(ii) the witness gives the evidence after being required to do so under subsection (4), and

(c) of the effect of such a certificate.

(4) The coroner may require the witness to give the evidence if the coroner is satisfied that—

(a) the evidence does not tend to prove that the witness has committed an offence against or arising under, or is liable to a civil penalty under, a law of a foreign country, and

(b) the interests of justice require that the witness give the evidence.

(5) If the witness either willingly gives the evidence without being required to do so under subsection (4), or gives it after being required to do so under that subsection, the coroner must cause the witness to be given a certificate under this section in respect of the evidence.

(6) The coroner is also to cause a witness to be given a certificate under this section if—

(a) the objection has been overruled, and