9CInterim protection

9C Interim protection (1) The Chief Commissioner, by written notice to a witness, may declare that the witness is to be given interim protection under this Act if the Chief Commissioner— S. 9C(1)(a) amended by No. 34/2016 s. 9. (a) is considering whether to include the witness in the Victorian witness protection program or to provide alternative protection arrangements to the witness; and (b) believes that the witness or a member of the family of the witness is in urgent need of protection. (2) The Chief Commissioner may make an interim protection declaration only with the prior written consent of— (a) the witness to whom the declaration relates; or (b) if the witness is under the age of 18 years, a parent or guardian of the witness. (3) While an interim protection declaration is in force, the Chief Commissioner may take any action he or she thinks necessary and reasonable to protect the safety and welfare of a witness to whom an interim protection declaration relates or a member of the family of the witness, including any action referred to in section 3A(2), other than applying for a court order authorizing the making of a new entry in the register of births or register of marriages in respect of the witness or family member. S. 9D inserted by No. 43/2014 s. 16.