20Procedure at inquiries

### 20 Procedure at inquiries > > (1)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpa@EN) Subject to this Act, an inquiry by the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission into an initial objection is to be held in public. > > > (2)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (2) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 31 of 1998, s. 40, Applied:28 Jul 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-07-28/act-1998-031#GS40@Hpa@EN) At an inquiry by the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission into an initial objection any person or organisation that lodged an objection has a right to be heard. > > > (3)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (3) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (3) amended by No. 31 of 1998, s. 40, Applied:28 Jul 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-07-28/act-1998-031#GS40@Hpb@EN) At an inquiry into an initial objection, the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission must consider all evidence given under [subsection (2)](#GS20@Gs2@EN) . > > > (4)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (4) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpd@EN) The Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission is not bound by the legal rules of evidence and may regulate the conduct of proceedings at an inquiry into an initial objection as it thinks fit. > > > (5)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (5) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hph@EN) Without limiting the generality of [subsection (4)](#GS20@Gs4@EN) – > > > > > > (a) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (5) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpe@EN) the manner in which evidence may be given to the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission; and > > > > > > > (b) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (5) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpf@EN) the time within which evidence may be given to the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission; and > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (5) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpg@EN) the extent to which the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission may be addressed; and > > > > > > > (d) the persons by whom it may be addressed– > > > > in respect of the initial redistribution proposal are within the absolute discretion of the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission. > > > (6)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (6) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpj@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (6) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpi@EN) Where the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission is satisfied that it is desirable to do so in the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of any evidence or matter or for any other reason, the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission may– > > > > > > (a) direct that an inquiry or a part of an inquiry is to take place in private and give directions as to the persons who may be present; or > > > > > > > (b) give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication of evidence given before it or of matters contained in documents lodged with it. > > > (7)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (7) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpk@EN) The Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission may, if it thinks fit, permit a person appearing as a witness before it to give evidence by tendering, and verifying by oath, a written statement. > > > (8)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (8) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpo@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (8) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpn@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (8) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpm@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (8) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpl@EN) On written application by a person who considers that attendance as a witness before the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission would cause him or her serious hardship, the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission may permit the person to give evidence by sending to the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission a written statement, verified in such manner as the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission allows. > > > (9)  [*\[Section 20 Subsection (9) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpr@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (9) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpq@EN) [*\[Section 20 Subsection (9) amended by No. 38 of 2023, s. 44, Applied:01 Jul 2024\]*](/view/html/inforce/2024-07-01/act-2023-038#GS44@Hpp@EN) Where evidence is given to the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission by a written statement in accordance with [subsection (7)](#GS20@Gs7@EN) or [(8)](#GS20@Gs8@EN) , the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission must make available to the public in such manner as it thinks fit the contents of the statement other than any matter as to which the Tasmanian Augmented Electoral Commission is satisfied that its publication would be contrary to the public interest by reason of its confidential nature or for any other reason.