18Sharing of information

18 Sharing of information

18 Sharing of information

(1) The Secretary may disclose information in the register to a government sector agency or other entity for the following purposes—

(a) monitoring and preventing deaths by suicide,

(b) evaluating services relating to, and responses to, deaths by suicide and suicide prevention,

(c) conducting research into deaths by suicide and suicide prevention.

(2) However, the Secretary may disclose personal information or health information in the register to a government sector agency or other entity only—

(a) if the disclosure is for the purpose of the agency or other entity conducting a review into the agency’s or entity’s interactions with a person who has died by suicide or whose death is suspected to be by suicide, or

(b) if the disclosure is for the purpose of research in relation to deaths by suicide or suicide prevention and any publication of the information will be in a form that ensures the identity of a person—

(i) is not apparent, or

(ii) cannot reasonably be ascertained, or

(c) with another lawful excuse, or

(d) in other circumstances prescribed by the regulations.

(3) The Secretary may disclose information in the register to—

(a) the Mental Health Commission for the purpose of the Commission exercising the Commission’s functions, or

(b) a Council for the purposes of the Council exercising the Council’s functions.

(4) A disclosure by the Secretary of information in the register under this section may be subject to conditions the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate.

(5) A person must not contravene a condition imposed on the disclosure of information under subsection (4).

Maximum penalty—100 penalty units.

(6) The Secretary may publish information in the register but only if the information is published in a form that ensures the identity of a person—

(a) is not apparent, or