23Persons may appear by audio or audio visual links

23 Persons may appear by audio or audio visual links

(1)  The council, or a commission, may give a direction for the use of an audio link or audio visual link, both within the meaning of the Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1999 , at the hearing of a complaint to enable one or more of the following persons to appear in that hearing and participate or give evidence:

(a) a person who is required or entitled to appear personally at the hearing, whether as a party or as a witness;

(b) a person who is entitled to appear for another person at the hearing.

(2)  A person who uses an audio link or audio visual link to appear in a relevant hearing in accordance with this section is taken to be before the council or commission that is holding the hearing.

(3)  Part 2 of the Evidence (Audio and Audio Visual Links) Act 1999 applies in respect of a hearing of the commission as if –

(a) a reference to a Tasmanian court were a reference to the council or commission who gave the direction under this section; and

(b) a reference to a courtroom, or other place at which the court is sitting, were a reference to a place where the council or commission is holding a hearing under this Act.