Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1971

The object of this Division is to protect children from harm by establishing and implementing a scheme for —

preventing reportable conduct; and

reporting, notifying and investigating reportable allegations and reportable convictions; and

taking appropriate action in response to findings of reportable conduct.

The reportable conduct scheme is based on the principles that —

if a child is able to form views on a matter concerning a reportable allegation or reportable conviction and it is appropriate in the circumstances to consult the child —

the child must be given the opportunity to express the views freely; and

the views are to be given due weight in the investigation in accordance with the developmental capacity of the child and the circumstances;

criminal conduct or suspected criminal conduct should be reported to the police; and

the Commissioner and others involved in the reportable conduct scheme should work in collaboration to ensure a fair process is used in the investigation of reportable allegations and reportable convictions; and

employees who are the subject of reportable allegations are entitled to be afforded natural justice in investigations into their conduct.