Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00498:section:53
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2021C00498
Segment Type: section
Provision Reference: s 53
Character Range: 58373–59057

53  Refusal to be sworn or to give evidence
 (1) A person who is required to appear, or is appearing, at a hearing of a Commission as a witness must not:
 (a) refuse to be sworn or to make an affirmation; or
 (b) refuse to answer a question that is asked at the hearing and is relevant to the Commission's investigation.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months.

Exemption of Commonwealth judicial officer etc.
 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who is:
 (a) a Commonwealth judicial officer; or
 (b) a former Commonwealth judicial officer.
Note: A defendant bears an evidential burden in relation to the matter in subsection (2) (see subsection 13.3(3) of the Criminal Code).