25Inquiry to be public—Act, s 523 (2) (d)

25 Inquiry to be public—Act, s 523 (2) (d) (1) An inquiry panel must conduct its inquiry in public. (2) However, an inquiry panel may— (a) direct that the inquiry or any part of it be conducted in private, and give directions about who may be present during any private hearing; or (b) give directions prohibiting or restricting the publication of information given to the inquiry, or of matters contained in documents lodged with the inquiry. (3) In making a direction under subsection (2), an inquiry panel must consider— (a) the principle that it is desirable that the inquiry should be conducted in public, and that information given to the inquiry, and documents lodged with the inquiry, should be available to interested people and to the public; and (b) in the circumstances, whether confidentiality is required. (4) A person must not contravene a direction under subsection (2). Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units. (5) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.