128Privilege in respect of self-incrimination in other proceedings

128 Privilege in respect of self-incrimination in other proceedings (1) This section applies if a witness 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 Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 76 (b) is liable to a civil penalty. (2) The court must determine whether or not there are reasonable grounds for the objection. (3) If the court determines that there are reasonable grounds for the objection, the court is to inform the witness: (a) that the witness need not give the evidence unless required by the court to do so under subsection (4); and (b) that the court 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 court may require the witness to give the evidence if the court 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 (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 court must cause the witness to be given a certificate under this section in respect of the (6) The court is also to cause a witness to be given a certificate under this section if: (a) the objection has been overruled; and (b) after the evidence has been given, the court finds that there were reasonable grounds for the objection. Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 77 (7) In any proceeding in a Territory court or before any person or body authorised by a law of the Territory, or by consent of parties, to hear, receive and examine evidence: (a) evidence given by a person in respect of which a certificate under this section has been given; and (b) any information, document or thing obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of the person having given evidence; cannot be used against the person. However, this does not apply to a criminal proceeding in respect of the falsity of the evidence. Note for subsection (7) This subsection differs from section 128(7) of the Commonwealth Act, NSW Act and Victorian Act in relation to the reference to a "Territory court". (8) Subsection (7) has effect despite any challenge, review, quashing or calling into question on any ground of the decision to give, or the validity of, the certificate concerned. (9) If a defendant in a criminal proceeding for an offence is given a certificate under this section, subsection (7) does not apply in a proceeding that is a retrial of the defendant for the same offence or a trial of the defendant for an offence arising out of the same facts that gave rise to that offence. (10) In a criminal proceeding, this section does not apply in relation to the giving of evidence by a defendant, being evidence that the defendant: (a) did an act the doing of which is a fact in issue; or (b) had a state of mind the existence of which is a fact in issue. (11) A reference in this section to doing an act includes a reference to failing to act. Notes for section 128 1 Bodies corporate cannot claim this privilege. See section 187. 2 Clause 3 of Part 2 of the Dictionary sets out what is a civil penalty. 3 The Commonwealth Act includes additional subsections (12) to (15). The subsections give effect to certificates in relation to self-incriminating evidence under this Act in proceedings in federal and Australian Capital Territory courts and in Territory prosecutions for Commonwealth and Australian Capital Territory offences. 4 Subsections (8) and (9) were inserted as a response to the decision of the High Court of Australia in Cornwell v The Queen (2007) 271 CLR 260. Evidence (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 78