Criminal Investigation (Covert Powers) Act 2012

As soon as practicable after the end of each financial year, the chief officer of a law enforcement agency must submit to the Minister a report about witness identity protection certificates given by the chief officer during that year.

The report must include all of the following —

the number of witness identity protection certificates given;

on what basis the chief officer was satisfied about the matters mentioned in section 82(1)(b) for each certificate;

if leave was given or an order made under section 90 in a proceeding in which a witness identity protection certificate for an operative of the agency was filed, details of the proceeding that relate to the leave or order;

if a witness identity protection certificate was cancelled under section 99, the reasons why the certificate was cancelled;

if a permission was given under section 100, the reasons why the permission was given;

any other information relating to witness identity protection certificates and the administration of this Part that the Minister considers appropriate.

A report must not include information that discloses, or may lead to the disclosure of, an operative’s true identity, or where the operative lives, unless the witness identity protection certificate for the operative has been cancelled.

The Minister is to cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of Parliament within 15 sitting days from the day on which the report is received by the Minister.