Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Chandler for her contribution on this bill. The Royal Commissions Amendment (Private Sessions) Bill 2023 amends the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to enable a sole commissioner or the chair of a multimember royal commission that is permitted to hold private sessions to authorise in writing a suitably qualified, experienced and senior member of staff of the royal commission to hold private sessions. A member of staff who is authorised for this purpose will be called an assistant commissioner.

The bill introduces a new definition of 'assistant commissioner' into the act and makes related amendments to enable an assistant commissioner to hold private sessions for royal commissions, whether they are constituted by a sole commissioner or multiple commissioners. The amendments make it clear that an assistant commissioner will only be appointed where such an appointment is justified. This may enable a royal commission to hold more private sessions over the duration of its inquiry than it otherwise might have and therefore allow more people to engage with the royal commission and have their experience heard. The role of an assistant commissioner is solely to hold private sessions as authorised in writing by the sole commissioner or chair of the royal commission. An assistant commissioner will not be authorised to undertake any other role or to exercise any powers of a commissioner for the royal commission.

This bill will provide more flexibility to royal commissions to conduct their inquiry, enabling more people to tell their stories in private session. It will also ensure that individuals who wish to participate in private sessions can do so with a person with whom they feel most comfortable sharing their experience. I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.