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Royal Commissions Act 1902
No. 12, 1902
In force
Administered by
Attorney-General's Department
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C2026C00133 C25
28 March 2026
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Part 1—Preliminary
1 Short title
1A Power to issue Royal Commission
1B Definitions
1C Application of the Criminal Code
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Part 2—Hearings and coercive and other powers of Royal Commissions
2 Power to summon witnesses and take evidence
3 Failure of witnesses to attend, produce documents or give information or statements
4 Search warrants
5 Application by telephone for search warrants
6 Penalty for refusing to be sworn or to give evidence
6AA Legal professional privilege
6AB Offences relating to claims for legal professional privilege
6A Self incrimination
6B Arrest of witness failing to appear
6C Acts or omissions on different days to constitute separate offences
6D Rights of witness
6DD Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness
6F Power of Commission in relation to documents and other things
6FA Examination of witnesses by counsel etc.
6G Witness to be paid expenses
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Part 3—Offences
6H False or misleading evidence
6I Bribery of witness
6J Fraud on witness
6K Destroying documents or other things
6L Preventing witness from attending
6M Injury to witness
6N Dismissal by employers of witness
6O Contempt of Royal Commission
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Part 4—Private sessions for certain Royal Commissions
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Division 1—Preliminary
6OA Definitions
6OAB Royal Commissions to which this Part applies
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Division 2—Private sessions
6OB Power to hold private sessions
6OC Status of private sessions etc.
6OE Certain statements made and documents produced etc. not admissible in evidence
6OEA Protection of Assistant Commissioners
6OF Protection of those who appear, or are authorised to be present, at a private session
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Division 3—Privacy in relation to private sessions
6OG Privacy of private sessions
6OH Offence for unauthorised use or disclosure of information given at a private session etc.
6OJ Inclusion of information in reports and recommendations
6OK Defence for disclosure to person who provided the information
6OL No other exceptions under other laws
6OM Relationship with the Archives Act 1983
6ON Protection of certain information given to the Child Sexual Abuse Royal Commission
6OP Protection of certain information given to the Disability Royal Commission
6OQ Protection of certain information given to the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission
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Part 4A—Other provisions relating to certain Royal Commissions
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Division 1—Preliminary
6PA Definitions
6PB Royal Commissions to which this Part applies
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Division 2—Provision of intelligence information or operationally sensitive information to a Commission
6PC Persons to comply with requirements to give intelligence information or operationally sensitive information
6PD Protections for intelligence information and operationally sensitive information—provision to Commission
6PE Protections for intelligence information and operationally sensitive information—legal advice and representation
6PF Commission may use and communicate intelligence information and operationally sensitive information
6PG Publication of arrangements
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Part 5—Miscellaneous
6P Commission may communicate information
7 Protection to Commissioners etc.
7AA Commission may have concurrent functions and powers under State laws
7A Effect of Royal Commissioner having authority to inquire under foreign law
7B Commission may take evidence outside Australia
7C Statements made by witness not admissible in evidence against the witness
7D Certain evidence before a State Commission inadmissible in Commonwealth proceedings
8 Allowances to witnesses
9 Custody and use of records of Royal Commission
10 Institution of proceedings in respect of other offences
15 Costs
16 Evidence of issue of Commission etc.
17 Regulations
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Endnotes
Endnote 1—About the endnotes
Endnote 2—Abbreviation key
Endnote 3—Legislation history
Endnote 4—Amendment history
