19Inspector‑General may invite submissions

19 Inspector‑General may invite submissions

Inviting submissions (1) The Inspector‑General may invite members of the public generally, or a particular person or body, to make submissions on a matter relating to a review under section 17. (2) The Inspector‑General has discretion in deciding matters connected with the process for inviting or making submissions, including: (a) how to communicate an invitation; and (b) who may make a submission; and (c) how submissions may be made.

Note: For example, the Inspector‑General may:

(a) advertise in the press or other media seeking written submissions from the public; or
(b) contact particular persons or bodies inviting them to attend a meeting at which they may make oral submissions.

Requests for confidentiality (3) If a person or body makes a submission, the person or body may request the Inspector‑General: (a) not to make the submission, or a part of the submission, available under section 20; or (b) not to include the submission, or a part of the submission, in the draft review report or the final review report. (4) The Inspector‑General may agree to the request if the Inspector‑General is satisfied that: (a) the request is reasonable in the circumstances; and (b) agreeing to the request would not unduly impede the conduct of the review; and (c) the person or body has made the submission in good faith. (5) However, a request under subsection (3) in relation to a submission made in relation to a review does not prevent the Inspector‑General from having regard to the submission in conducting the review. (6) If a person or body makes a request under subsection (3) in relation to a submission, or a part of a submission, and the Inspector‑General refuses the request: (a) the person or body may withdraw the submission or the part of the submission; and (b) if the submission is a written submission—the person or body may require the submission, or the part of the submission, to be returned to the person or body.