South Australian Current Acts South Australian Current Acts262U—Powers relating to inquiries
(1) The Panel or an
investigator conducting an inquiry under this Division may, in connection with
the inquiry—
(a) by
summons signed by the Panel or investigator (as the case requires), require a
person's attendance; and
(b)
require a person to answer, orally or in writing, questions to the best of
their knowledge, information and belief; and
(c)
require a person to verify an answer under paragraph (b) by declaration;
and
(d)
require a council or person to produce any relevant documents or other
records; and
(e)
retain documents or other records produced under paragraph (d) for
reasonable periods and make copies of them or their contents; and
(f) call
for or receive submissions or representations.
(2) Subject to
subsection (3), a person or council must not refuse or fail to comply
with a requirement under subsection (1).
Maximum penalty: $10 000.
(3) A person is not
obliged to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) if to do so
might incriminate the person of an offence, and a person or a council is not
required to provide information under subsection (1) that is privileged
on the ground of legal professional privilege.
(4) In the exercise or
performance of a power or function under this Subdivision, the Panel—
(a) must
proceed with as little formality and technicality and with as much expedition
as the requirements of this or any other Act and a proper consideration of the
matter permit; and
(b) is
not bound by rules of evidence but may inform itself of any matter in any
manner that the Panel considers appropriate.