Commonwealth Consolidated Acts

NATIONAL SECURITY LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ESPIONAGE AND FOREIGN INTERFERENCE) ACT 2018 - SCHEDULE 6

Inspector - General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986

1   After section   34A

Insert:

34B   Protection for persons providing information voluntarily to the Inspector - General

  (1)   This section applies in relation to a person if the person voluntarily provides, or makes available, information or documents to the Inspector - General for any of the following purposes:

  (a)   making a complaint under Division   2 of Part   II;

  (b)   the Inspector - General conducting an inspection under section   9A;

  (c)   the Inspector - General conducting a preliminary inquiry into a complaint under section   14;

  (d)   the Inspector - General conducting an inquiry under Division   3 of Part   II.

Person not liable to penalties under Commonwealth laws

  (2)   The person is not (subject to subsection   ( 3)) liable to a penalty under any law of the Commonwealth for providing or making available the information or documents in accordance with subsection   ( 1).

Exceptions

  (3)   Subsection   ( 2) does not apply:

  (a)   in relation to proceedings for an offence against:

  (i)   section   137.1 or 137.2 (false or misleading information and documents), section   145.1 (using forged document) or 149.1 (obstructing Commonwealth officials) of the Criminal Code ; or

  (ii)   Division   3 of Part   III of the Crimes Act 1914 (offences relating to evidence and witnesses); or

  (iii)   section   6 of the Crimes Act 1914 , or section   11.1, 11.4 or 11.5 of the Criminal Code , in relation to an offence referred to in subparagraph   ( i) or (ii); or

  (b)   if the provision:

  (i)   is enacted after the commencement of this section; and

  (ii)   is expressed to have effect despite this section.