89Power to request information from head of public sector

89 Power to request information from head of public sector entity (1) In carrying out a preliminary inquiry, the commission may ask— (a) the head of a public sector entity to give information (other than Assembly information) held by the entity to the commission; or (b) the Speaker to give Assembly information held by a public sector entity to the commission. (2) The commission may only ask for information that the commission considers relevant to the preliminary inquiry. (3) If the Speaker has been asked to give Assembly information relating to a current or former member of the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker must, as far as practicable, give a copy of the request to the member.

(4) The head of the public sector entity must comply with the request within a reasonable time, being not more than 7 days after receiving the request. Note The head of a public sector entity other than the Speaker must not give Assembly information to the commission unless authorised by the Speaker (see s 89A). (5) However, the head of the public sector entity need not comply with the request if the head advises the commission of a reasonable excuse for not doing so. (6) The head of the public sector entity who complies with the request, and any person who assists the head in complying with this section, has the same protection and immunity as a witness has in a proceeding in the Supreme Court.