255Prescribed authorities

255  Prescribed authorities  (1) The Minister may appoint as a prescribed authority for the purposes of section 253 a person who is or has been a Judge of a Federal Court or of the Supreme Court of a State or Territory or a barrister or solicitor of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of a State of not less than 5 years’ standing.  (2) The Governor‑General may arrange with the Governor‑in‑Council of a State for the performance by persons who hold office as Police, Stipendiary or Special Magistrates in that State of the functions of a prescribed authority under section 253.  (3) Notice of an arrangement under subsection (2) shall be published in the Gazette.  (4) Where an arrangement under subsection (2) is in force, a person who holds an office specified in the arrangement is a prescribed authority for the purposes of section 253.  (5) A person who holds office as a Police, Stipendiary or Special Magistrate of a Territory is a prescribed authority for the purposes of section 253.  (6) A prescribed authority shall make a thorough investigation of the matter which he or she is required to inquire into, without regard to legal forms, and shall not be bound by any rules of evidence but may inform himself or herself on any relevant matter in such manner as he or she thinks fit.