56Boards of Inquiry

#### 56 Boards of Inquiry 56 Boards of Inquiry > > (1) The Minister may constitute a person as a Board of Inquiry to conduct an inquiry into any of the following— > > > > > (a) a notifiable incident, > > > > > (b) any event, occurrence, practice or matter that may affect the health and safety of workers or other persons at a mine or petroleum site, > > > > > (c) anything prescribed by the regulations. > > > (2) The Minister is to provide terms of reference for the inquiry when constituting the Board of Inquiry. > > > (3) In conducting an inquiry, a Board of Inquiry— > > > > > (a) is not bound to act in a formal manner, and > > > > > (b) is not bound by the rules of evidence and may inform itself on any matter in any way that it considers appropriate. > > > (4) If the Board of Inquiry agrees, an agent (including a legal practitioner) may represent a person or body at an inquiry. > > > (5) A Board of Inquiry is to determine its own procedure, except as provided by this Act. > > > (6) A Board of Inquiry conducting an inquiry may be assisted by a legal practitioner appointed by the Minister for the purposes of the inquiry. > > > (7) A court (which for the purposes of this subsection includes a person conducting coronial proceedings within the meaning of the [Coroners Act 2009](/view/html/inforce/current/act-2009-041)) may by order suspend an inquiry if the court is of the opinion that the inquiry may prejudice a matter before the court. An inquiry is suspended for the time specified in the order. > > **s 56:** Am 2015 No 43, Sch 1 \[43\].