Evidence Act 1906

A document that accurately reproduces the contents of another document is admissible in evidence before a court in the same circumstances, and for the same purposes, as that other document, whether or not that other document still exists.

In determining whether a particular document accurately reproduces the contents of another, a court is not bound by the rules of evidence and —

may rely on its own knowledge of the nature and reliability of the processes by which the reproduction was made; or

may make findings based on a certificate in the prescribed form signed by a person with knowledge and experience of the processes by which the reproduction was made; or

may make findings based on a certificate in the prescribed form signed by a person who has compared the contents of both documents and found them to be identical; or

may act on any other basis it considers appropriate in the circumstances.

This section applies to a reproduction made —

by an instantaneous process; or

by a process in which the contents of a document are recorded by photographic, electronic or other means, and the reproduction is subsequently produced from that record; or

by a process prescribed for the purposes of this section; or

in any other way.

If a reproduction is made by a process referred to in subsection (3)(c), the process shall be presumed to reproduce accurately the contents of the document purportedly reproduced unless the contrary is proved.

If so requested by a party to the proceedings, a court shall give reasons for determining that a document is or is not an accurate reproduction.

A person who signs a certificate for the purposes of this section knowing it to be false or misleading in any material particular commits an indictable offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for 7 years.

This section does not apply to or in respect of a copy of a document if the copy is admissible under another written law.