11Penalty for refusal to answer

11 Penalty for refusal to answer

11 Penalty for refusal to answer

(1) Except as provided by section 127 (Religious confessions) of the Evidence Act 1995, if any witness refuses to answer any lawful question during the witness’s examination, the witness shall be deemed guilty of a contempt of Parliament, and may be forthwith committed for such offence into the custody of the usher of the black rod or serjeant-at-arms, and, if the House so order, to gaol, for any period not exceeding one calendar month, by warrant under the hand of the President or Speaker, as the case may be.

(2) Such warrant shall be a sufficient authority for all gaolers and other officers to hold the body of the person therein named for the term therein stated.

(3) No person acting under the authority of this section shall incur any liability, civil or criminal, for such act.

s 11: Am 1986 No 16, Sch 23; 1995 No 27, Sch 1; 2009 No 56, Sch 2.41.