Criminal Procedure Act 2009

If the accused is not represented by a legal practitioner, immediately after the close of the case for the prosecution the Magistrates' Court must inform the accused, in a manner that is likely to be understood by the accused that—

the accused has the right to answer the charge and must choose either—

to give sworn or affirmed evidence, that is, to enter the witness box, take the oath or make an affirmation and say what the accused wants to say in answer to the charge and then to respond to any questions from the prosecution or the court about the evidence of the accused; or

to say nothing in answer to the charge; and

in either case, the accused may call any witnesses to give sworn or affirmed evidence for the accused.

After giving the information referred to in subsection (1), the Magistrates' Court must ask the accused what the accused wants to do.