23Hearings to be public

23 Hearings to be public

(1)  Subject to subsection (2) and Subdivision 2 , the hearing of an inquiry is to be open to the public.

(2)  The Commissioner may refuse to admit the public or any person to a hearing if the Commissioner is satisfied that the public interest in an open hearing is outweighed by any other consideration, including public security, privacy of personal or financial affairs and the right of any person to a fair trial.

(3)  If the Commissioner intends to take or receive evidence at the hearing of an inquiry which is not open to the public, the Commissioner must announce that intention during a previous hearing which is open to the public and state, in general terms, the reasons why the Commissioner intends to hold a closed hearing.