Witness Protection Act 1996

If a witness is included in the Program, or is being assessed for inclusion in the Program, the Commissioner must take such action as the

Commissioner considers necessary and reasonable to protect the witness's safety and welfare while also protecting the safety of members.

That action may include—

applying for any documents necessary—

to allow the witness to establish a new identity; or

otherwise to protect the witness; and

permitting members who hold or occupy designated positions to use assumed names in carrying out their duties in relation to the Program and to carry documentation supporting those assumed names; and

relocating the witness; and

providing accommodation for the witness; and

providing transport for the witness's property; and

providing payments to the witness for the purpose of meeting the reasonable living expenses of the witness (including, where appropriate, living expenses of the witness's family) and providing, whether directly or indirectly, other reasonable financial assistance; and

providing payments to the witness for the purpose of meeting costs associated with relocation; and

providing assistance to the witness in obtaining employment or access to education; and

providing other assistance to the witness with a view to ensuring that the witness becomes self-sustaining; and

doing other things that the Commissioner considers to be necessary to ensure the safety of the witness.

The Commissioner must not obtain documentation for a witness that represents the witness—

to have qualifications that the witness does not have;

or

to be entitled to benefits to which the witness would not be entitled if the witness were not included in the Program.