Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2011

For the purposes of a preliminary inquiry, the IBAC may issue a witness summons to any person requiring the person to attend at a specified time and place on a specified date to produce documents or other things to the IBAC.

A witness summons under subsection (1) may specify that attendance required under the summons is to be by means of audio visual link or audio link and in a specified manner.

A witness summons under subsection (1) that provides for attendance as described in subsection (1A)—

need not specify a place for attendance; and

may specify, if any documents are to be produced, that those documents are to be produced by secure electronic means and in a specified manner.

The IBAC may vary the means of attendance required under a witness summons under subsection (1) without reissuing the witness summons if the consent of the person attending or that person's legal representative is given to that variation.

The IBAC may, under subsection (1), issue a witness summons directed to a person if satisfied that it is reasonable to do so, having regard to—

whether the production of the document or thing is necessary to determine whether to conduct an investigation on its own motion, dismiss, refer or investigate a complaint or notification; and

whether it is reasonably practicable to obtain the information in the document or thing by any other means; and

the evidentiary or intelligence value of the information, document or thing sought to be obtained from the person; and

the age of the person and any mental impairment to which the person is known or believed to be subject.

The IBAC must not issue a witness summons to a person who is under the age of 18 years unless the IBAC considers on reasonable grounds that—

the information, document or thing that the person could provide may be compelling and probative evidence; and

it is not practicable to obtain the information, document or thing by any other means.

If a person is issued with a witness summons referred to in subsection (1), the IBAC may excuse that person from attendance if the person produces the required documents or things to the IBAC before the time and date for production specified in the witness summons in accordance with any directions given by the IBAC.