Witness Protection Act 2000

A person must not, either directly or indirectly, make a record of, disclose or communicate to another person any information relating to the making of an entry in the register of births or register of marriages under this Act, unless it is necessary to do so – for the purposes of this Act; or for the purposes of an investigation under this Act by the Ombudsman; or to comply with an order of the Supreme Court. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.

Despite subsection (1), the Commissioner of Police or an approved authority or an officer of an approved authority may disclose the former identity of a witness or a member of the family of a witness for the purpose of obtaining documents relating to the new identity of the witness or family member.

Subject to subsection (4), a person who is or has been a witness or a member of the family of a witness must not, either directly or indirectly, disclose or communicate to another person in Tasmania or elsewhere – the fact that he or she or a member of his or her family has entered into a memorandum of understanding under section 8; or details of the memorandum of understanding; or information relating to anything done by a police officer or an approved authority or an officer of an approved authority under this Act; or information about any police officer or an approved authority or an officer of an approved authority gained by the person as a result of anything done under this Act. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years.

Subsection (3) does not apply to a disclosure or communication – that has been authorised by the Commissioner of Police or an approved authority; or that is necessary for the purposes of an investigation under this Act by the Ombudsman; or that is necessary to comply with an order of the Supreme Court.

A person must not, without lawful authority, disclose information in Tasmania or elsewhere – about the identity or location of a person who is or has been a participant; or that compromises the security of such a person. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.

A person must not, without lawful authority, disclose information in Tasmania – about the identity or location of a person who is or has been a recognised participant; or that compromises the security of such a person. Imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years.