Health Practitioners Tribunal Act 2010 (TAS)

Health Practitioners Tribunal Act 2010

An Act to establish the Health Practitioners Tribunal and for related purposes

[Royal Assent 27 July 2010]

Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

PART 1Preliminary1Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Health Practitioners Tribunal Act 2010. 2CommencementThe provisions of this Act commence on a day or days to be proclaimed. 3Interpretation (1)  In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears – applicant means a person who applies to the Tribunal under section 21; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] community member means a person designated under section 13 as a community member of the Tribunal for particular proceedings; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] Deputy President has the same meaning as in the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020; function includes duty; health profession has the same meaning as in the National Law; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] member of the Tribunal has the same meaning as in the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020; National Board has the same meaning as in the National Law; National Law means the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania); National Law proceedings means proceedings in relation to an application under section 21(1) or (2); notification has the same meaning as in the National Law; participating jurisdiction has the same meaning as in the National Law; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] President has the same meaning as in the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] proceedings means proceedings, of the Tribunal, that relate to this Act; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] professional member means a person designated under section 11 as a professional member of the Tribunal for particular proceedings; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] referring Act means a law of Tasmania, other than the National Law or the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020, by or under which jurisdiction is conferred on the Tribunal; registered health practitioner has the same meaning as in the National Law; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] registrar means the Registrar, within the meaning of the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020; Secretary means the Secretary of the department that is responsible, to the Minister to whom the administration of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Tasmania) Act 2010 is assigned, in relation to the administration of that Act; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] senior member means a member of the Tribunal who – (a) is assigned, under the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020, to the Health Practitioners stream; and (b) is a senior member within the meaning of that Act; and (c) is a legally qualified member, within the meaning of that Act; State or Territory Board has the same meaning as in the National Law; student has the same meaning as in the National Law; [Section 3 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 180, Applied:05 Nov 2021] Tribunal means the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. (2)  For the purposes of this Act, proceedings relate to one of the health professions if – (a) the proceedings have begun by way of an application to the Tribunal under section 21(1) by the National Board for the health profession; or (b) the proceedings have begun by way of an application to the Tribunal under section 21(2) in relation to a decision by the National Board for the health profession or a panel established under the National Law by that National Board. 4Application (1)  [Section 4 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 181, Applied:05 Nov 2021] In the event of any inconsistency between this Act (or the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 ) and the National Law, the National Law prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. (2)  [Section 4 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 181, Applied:05 Nov 2021] In the event of any inconsistency between this Act (or the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 ) and a referring law, the referring law prevails to the extent of the inconsistency. 5When proceedings under this Act begin and end (1)  [Section 5 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 182, Applied:05 Nov 2021] For the purposes of this Act and the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020, proceedings in relation to a matter are to be taken to begin when an application in relation to the matter is lodged with the Tribunal under section 21. (2)  [Section 5 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 182, Applied:05 Nov 2021] For the purposes of this Act and the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020, proceedings in relation to a matter are to be taken to have concluded when the Tribunal has given the parties to the proceedings its final orders in relation to the matter. 6Act binds CrownThis Act binds the Crown in right of Tasmania and, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, in all its other capacities. PART 2.. .. .. .7PART 3Membership of TribunalDivision 1.. .. .. .8910Division 2Other members of Tribunal for National Law proceedings11Professional members of Tribunal (1)  [Section 11 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 185, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The President may designate a member of the Tribunal as a professional member of the Tribunal for proceedings in relation to which the President has determined that the Tribunal is to be constituted in accordance with section 18(1)(b) or (c). (2)  [Section 11 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 185, Applied:05 Nov 2021] A person may only be designated as a professional member of the Tribunal for proceedings if the person – (a) is a registered health practitioner in respect of the health profession to which the proceedings relate; and (b) [Section 11 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 185, Applied:05 Nov 2021] is, in the opinion of the President, a person with suitable skill, knowledge or experience to assist in the proceedings; and (c) [Section 11 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 185, Applied:05 Nov 2021] is included in the list provided to the President by the National Board in accordance with a request under section 12; and (d) is not a member of a National Board or a State or Territory Board. (3)  [Section 11 Subsection (3) substituted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 185, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The designation of a person as a professional member ceases if – (a) the person ceases to be a member of the Tribunal; or (b) the person becomes a member of a National Board or a State or Territory Board; or (c) the person ceases to be a registered health practitioner in respect of the health profession to which the proceedings relate; or (d) the person’s registration as a health practitioner in respect of the health profession to which the proceedings relate is suspended; or (e) immediate action under section 155(a) of the National Law has been taken in relation to the person; or (f) the person has received a notification under the National Law and the President has notified the person, in writing, that the grounds for the notification are such that the person ought not continue as a professional member. 12Lists of potential professional members (1)  [Section 12 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 186, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The President may from time to time request the National Board for a health profession to provide to the President a list of registered health practitioners who – (a) are registered under the National Law in respect of the health profession; and (b) are practising in Tasmania in respect of the health profession; and (c) have, in the opinion of the National Board, suitable skill, knowledge and experience to enable the practitioners to assist in proceedings under this Act. (2)  [Section 12 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 186, Applied:05 Nov 2021] If the President is of the opinion that no person included in a list of the kind referred to in subsection (1) or in this subsection is suitable for proceedings for which the Tribunal is to be constituted, the President is to request the National Board to provide to the President a list of registered health practitioners who – (a) are registered under the National Law in respect of the health profession; and (b) are practising in respect of the health profession in any participating jurisdiction; and (c) have, in the opinion of the National Board, suitable skill, knowledge and experience to enable the practitioners to assist in proceedings under this Act. 13Community members of Tribunal (1)  [Section 13 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 187, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The President may designate a member of the Tribunal as the community member of the Tribunal for proceedings in relation to which the President has determined that the Tribunal is to be constituted in accordance with section 18(1)(c). (2)  [Section 13 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 187, Applied:05 Nov 2021] A person may only be designated as a community member of the Tribunal for proceedings if the person – (a) has at no time been a registered health practitioner or been registered in respect of a health profession; and (b) is not a member of a National Board or a State or Territory Board; and (c) is specified on a list prepared under subsection (3). (3)  [Section 13 Subsection (3) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 187, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The Minister must prepare from time to time a list of persons who are suitable to be designated under this section as community members of the Tribunal for proceedings that are National Law proceedings. (4)  [Section 13 Subsection (4) substituted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 187, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The designation of a person as a community member ceases if – (a) the person ceases to be a member of the Tribunal; or (b) the person becomes a member of a National Board or a State or Territory Board; or (c) the person becomes a registered health practitioner. 14Disclosure of National Law notification (1)  [Section 14 Subsection (1) omitted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 188, Applied:05 Nov 2021] .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   (2)  [Section 14 Subsection (2) omitted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 188, Applied:05 Nov 2021] .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   (3)  [Section 14 Subsection (3) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 188, Applied:05 Nov 2021] A professional member must notify the President as soon as practicable after the member receives under the National Law notice of a notification about the member. 15PART 4Constitution of TribunalDivision 1National Law proceedings16Jurisdiction of Tribunal in respect of matter referred under National Law to Tribunal (1)  A reference in the National Law to a referral of a matter to the responsible tribunal is, for a referral of a matter in accordance with that Law to the Tribunal, a reference to an application to the Tribunal for a decision in relation to the matter. (2)  The jurisdiction, conferred by the National Law on the Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, to hear and decide a matter referred to the Tribunal is to be taken to be jurisdiction conferred on the Tribunal to hear and decide the matter under this Act. (3)  The Tribunal may exercise the jurisdiction, conferred by the National Law on the Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, to hear and decide a matter referred to the Tribunal in accordance with that Law if a person has, under section 21(1), applied to the Tribunal for a decision in relation to the matter. (4)  [Section 16 Subsection (4) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 190, Applied:05 Nov 2021] In exercising the jurisdiction, conferred by the National Law on the Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, to hear and decide a matter referred to the Tribunal under that Law, the Tribunal may exercise the powers, and perform the functions, conferred on the Tribunal by this Act, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 or the National Law. 17Jurisdiction of Tribunal to hear and decide appeals against decisions under National Law (1)  A reference in the National Law to an appeal against a decision is, for an appeal in accordance with that Law to the Tribunal, a reference to a review of the decision as provided under this Act. (2)  The jurisdiction, conferred by the National Law on the Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, to hear and decide an appeal against a decision is to be taken to be jurisdiction conferred on the Tribunal to hear and decide under this Act a review of a decision. (3)  The Tribunal may exercise the jurisdiction, conferred by the National Law on the Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, to hear and decide an appeal against a decision if a person has, under section 21(2), applied to the Tribunal for a review of the decision. (4)  [Section 17 Subsection (4) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 191, Applied:05 Nov 2021] In exercising the jurisdiction, conferred by the National Law on the Tribunal as the responsible tribunal, to hear and decide an appeal against a decision, the Tribunal may exercise the powers, and perform the functions, conferred on the Tribunal by this Act, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 or the National Law. 18Constitution of Tribunal for purposes of National Law (1)  [Section 18 Subsection (1) substituted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 192, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The President, as soon as practicable after National Law proceedings begin, must determine whether the Tribunal is, for the proceedings, to be constituted under the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 by – (a) the President, a Deputy President or senior member; or (b) the President (or a Deputy President or senior member) and 2 professional members; or (c) the President (or a Deputy President or senior member), a professional member and a community member. (2)  [Section 18 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 192, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The President must determine that the Tribunal is, under the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020, to be constituted, for the purposes of National Law proceedings, in accordance with subsection (1)(b) or (c), if a party to the proceedings requests that the proceedings be heard and decided other than by the President, a Deputy President, or a senior member, acting alone. Division 2Proceedings other than National Law proceedings19Jurisdiction of Tribunal to hear and decide a review of decision under Act other than National Law (1)  The Tribunal may exercise the jurisdiction conferred on it by a referring Act to hear and decide a review of a decision if a person has applied under section 21(4) to the Tribunal for a review of the decision. (2)  [Section 19 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 193, Applied:05 Nov 2021] In exercising the jurisdiction conferred on the Tribunal by a referring Act to hear and decide a review of a decision, the Tribunal may exercise the powers, and perform the functions, conferred on the Tribunal by this Act, the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 or the referring Act. 20Constitution of Tribunal for matter other than referral or appeal under National Law [Section 20 Amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 194, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The President, as soon as practicable after proceedings in relation to an application under section 21(4) begin, must determine whether the Tribunal is, for the purposes of the proceedings, to be constituted by the President, a Deputy President or a senior member. PART 5Procedure of TribunalDivision 1Preliminary procedure21Applications (1)  A National Board which is required under the National Law to refer a matter about a registered health practitioner or student to the responsible tribunal may apply to the Tribunal for a decision in relation to the matter. (2)  A person who is the subject of a decision referred to in section 199(1) of the National Law and who may, under that Law, appeal to the responsible tribunal, may apply to the Tribunal for a review of the decision. (3)  Except with the approval of the Tribunal, an application may only be made under subsection (2) in relation to a decision referred to in section 199(1) of the National Law within 28 days after – (a) the decision is made; or (b) reasons for the decision are given to a person under the National Law – whichever is the later. (4)  A person who is the subject of a decision against which an application for a review of a decision may be made to the Tribunal under a referring Act may apply to the Tribunal for a review of the decision. (5)  Except with the approval of the Tribunal or as otherwise provided by the referring Act, an application may only be made under subsection (4) against a decision under a referring Act within 28 days after – (a) the decision is made; or (b) reasons for the decision are given to a person under the referring Act – whichever is the later. (6)  An application under this section must be – (a) [Section 21 Subsection (6) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 195, Applied:05 Nov 2021] in a form approved by the President; and (b) lodged with the registrar; and (c) [Section 21 Subsection (6) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 195, Applied:05 Nov 2021] accompanied by any documents or further information that the President requires; and (d) accompanied by any documents or further information that are required by the referring Act or the National Law, as the case may be, to be provided to the Tribunal; and (e) accompanied by the prescribed fee, if any; and (f) [Section 21 Subsection (6) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 195, Applied:05 Nov 2021] made in a manner approved by the President. (7)  An applicant must serve a copy of an application under this section – (a) on each other party to the proceedings in respect of the application; and (b) on any other person entitled to notice of the application under the referring Act or the National Law; and (c) on any person that the Tribunal or the registrar directs be given notice of the proceedings in relation to the application. 22Withdrawal of application (1)  An applicant may, if the Tribunal gives leave to do so, withdraw an application before the Tribunal determines the application. (2)  An applicant who withdraws an application may not make a further application in relation to the facts or circumstances to which the application relates, except with the leave of the Tribunal. (3)  If the Tribunal gives leave to withdraw an application under subsection (1), it may make an order for costs against the applicant. (4)  An order under subsection (3) may be made on the application of a party to the proceedings or on the Tribunal’s own initiative. 2324Parties to proceedings (1)  The parties to National Law proceedings are the persons who are, in accordance with the National Law, parties to the proceedings. (2)  If an application is made to the Tribunal under section 21(4), the parties to proceedings in respect of the application are – (a) the persons who are, in accordance with the referring Act, the parties to the proceedings; or (b) if the referring Act does not specify the persons who are the parties to the proceedings, the following persons: (i) the applicant; (ii) the person who made the decision in respect of which the application is made; (iii) if the Secretary is joined as a party to the proceedings under subsection (3), the Secretary. (3)  The Secretary may, by notice to the Tribunal, become a party to proceedings other than National Law proceedings. 25Representation (1)  A party to proceedings is entitled to be represented in those proceedings by a legal practitioner or any other person. (2)  The Secretary may be represented, in proceedings to which the Secretary becomes a party, by a legal practitioner or any other person appointed by the Secretary. 26Effect of original decision pending review (1)  Subject to subsection (2), the beginning of proceedings for review of a decision does not affect the operation of the decision or prevent the taking of action to implement the decision. (2)  Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to proceedings if – (a) the referring Act to which the proceedings relate provides otherwise; or (b) the Tribunal makes an order under subsection (3). (3)  The Tribunal may make an order staying the operation of a decision to which an application under this Act relates. (4)  The Tribunal may make an order under subsection (3) on the application of a party to the proceedings or on the Tribunal’s own initiative. (5)  The Tribunal may make an order under subsection (3) whether or not it has given any person whose interests may be affected by the order the opportunity to be heard. (6)  In making an order under subsection (3), the Tribunal – (a) may require any undertaking as to costs that it considers appropriate; and (b) may make provision for the lifting of the order if conditions specified in the order are met or are not met. (7)  The Tribunal may assess any costs referred to in subsection (6)(a). 27Reasons for decision to be lodged by applicant (1)  If an application is made under section 21(2) or (4) for a review of a decision and the applicant has been given, by the person who made the decision, a statement of reasons for the decision, the applicant must provide the statement to the Tribunal. (2)  If the Tribunal considers that there are documents that – (a) are in the possession of a party to the proceedings; and (b) may be relevant to the proceedings – the Tribunal may order the party to lodge a copy of each document with the Tribunal within the time specified in the notice. (3)  This section applies despite any rule of law relating to privilege or the public interest in relation to the production of documents. Division 2Nature of proceedings28Review to consist of fresh hearing (1)  The purpose of a review by the Tribunal of a decision is to produce the correct and preferable result in respect of the matter to which the decision relates. (2)  The Tribunal must hear and decide a review of a decision by way of a fresh hearing on the merits of the matter to which the decision relates. 29How Tribunal to deal with referred matter (1)  The purpose of a decision of the Tribunal in relation to a matter referred to the Tribunal in accordance with section 21(1) is to produce the correct and preferable result in respect of the matter. (2)  The Tribunal must hear and decide, by way of a hearing on the merits of the matter, a matter that is referred to the Tribunal in accordance with section 21(1). 30Hearing to be open to public (1)  [Section 30 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 197, Applied:05 Nov 2021] Except as provided by this section, a hearing in proceedings is to be open to the public. (2)  During any hearing in proceedings the Tribunal may, on the application of a party to the proceedings or on the Tribunal’s own initiative, do either or both of the following, if it considers that there are compelling grounds to do so: (a) make an order excluding any person from the hearing; (b) make an order prohibiting the reporting or other disclosure of all or any part of the proceedings or prohibiting the reporting or other disclosure of particular information in respect of the proceedings. (3)  Without limiting the grounds that may be relevant for the purposes of subsection (2), the Tribunal may exercise its power under that subsection if – (a) it is dealing with privileged information or information that has been communicated to the National Board or the Tribunal in confidence; or (b) it is dealing with information concerning the personal affairs, finances or business arrangements of a person; or (c) the disclosure of the information may be unfairly prejudicial to the reputation of a person. (4)  Nothing in this section is to be taken to prevent the Tribunal from – (a) meeting in private for the purpose of preparing for any proceedings or any stage of any proceedings; or (b) meeting in private for the purposes of reaching a finding on any matter in the course of any proceedings. (5)  A person must not fail to comply with an order under subsection (2)(a) .Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units. (6)  A person must not fail to comply with an order under subsection (2)(b) .Penalty:  In the case of – (a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units; or (b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units. Division 3Decisions and orders in proceedings31Powers of Tribunal to decide applications (1)  The Tribunal is to determine an application made to the Tribunal under section 21(1) by making a decision in accordance with section 196 or 197, as the case may be, of the National Law. (2)  The Tribunal is to determine an application made to the Tribunal under section 21(2) by making a decision in accordance with section 202 of the National Law. (3)  The Tribunal is to determine an application made to the Tribunal under section 21(4) for a review of a decision under a referring Act by making a decision in accordance with the referring Act. (4)  If the referring Act to which an application under section 21(4) in respect of a decision relates does not set out how the Tribunal may decide the application, the Tribunal may determine the matter by – (a) affirming the decision; or (b) varying the decision; or (c) setting aside the decision and making another decision in substitution for it; or (d) setting aside the decision and remitting the matter for reconsideration, by the person who made the decision, in accordance with any directions or recommendations of the Tribunal. (5)  Subject to subsection (6), a decision of a person or body that is affirmed or varied by the Tribunal or a decision made by the Tribunal in substitution for a decision of a person or body – (a) is taken to be a decision of the person or body; and (b) subject to any contrary order by the Tribunal, has, or is taken to have had, effect from the time at which the decision affirmed or varied, or for which the decision is substituted, had effect. (6)  Subsection (5)(a) does not apply for the purposes of an appeal to the Supreme Court. 32Decision-making by Tribunal (1)  [Section 32 Subsection (1) omitted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 198, Applied:05 Nov 2021] .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   (2)  The Tribunal must make an order as to its decision in relation to proceedings as soon as practicable after the end of the hearing, or hearings, in respect of the proceedings. 33Orders (1)  An order of the Tribunal must be in writing. (2)  The Tribunal must give a copy of any order it makes in proceedings to – (a) each party to the proceedings; and (b) each other person entitled to notice of the proceedings or of the order under this Act, the National Law or the referring Act. (3)  The Tribunal must give reasons for making an order in proceedings, other than an order that has effect only for the duration of the proceedings or a shorter period. (4)  The Tribunal must give under subsection (3) its reasons for making an order, within 60 days, or a later period determined by the Tribunal, after making the order. (5)  If the Tribunal gives orally reasons for making an order in proceedings, a party to the proceedings may, within 14 days after the order is made, request the Tribunal to give its reasons in writing. (6)  The Tribunal must, within 45 days after receiving a request under subsection (5), comply with the request. (7)  The Tribunal may extend the period referred to in subsection (6), but only if the Tribunal gives, to the person who requested the reasons for an order be given in writing, reasons for the extension. (8)  If the Tribunal gives written reasons for making an order, it must include in those reasons its findings on material questions of fact. (9)  An order of the Tribunal comes into effect immediately after it is made or at a later time, if any, specified in the order. 34Enforcement of orders (1)  An order of the Tribunal may, on the application of a party to the proceedings in which it is made, be filed in a court of competent jurisdiction. (2)  An order of the Tribunal filed in a court under subsection (1) may be enforced as if it were an order of that court. 35Division 4Procedure generally36373839Determinations (1)  At any time after proceedings begin, the Tribunal may – (a) determine any question of law or procedure that has arisen or that is expected to arise later in the proceedings; and (b) determine any other question that it considers necessary or convenient to determine in order to ensure that the remainder of the proceedings will be conducted fairly and as quickly as possible; and (c) give the directions, consistent with the practice directions issued under section 38, that it thinks fit for the purposes of resolving an issue or matter that it considers necessary or convenient to resolve for the remainder of the proceedings. (2)  [Section 39 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 201, Applied:05 Nov 2021] A question of law arising during proceedings may only be decided by the President, a Deputy President or senior member, by whom the Tribunal is constituted in whole or in part for the proceedings. 40Costs (1)  Except as provided under this Act, the National Law or a referring Act, each party to proceedings under this Act must bear the party’s own costs in the proceedings. (2)  The Tribunal may order a party to proceedings to pay all the costs, or a part of the costs specified in the order, of another party to the proceedings if the Tribunal considers that it is in the interests of justice to do so. (3)  In deciding whether to award costs in proceedings, the Tribunal is to take into account – (a) whether a party to the proceedings has behaved in a way that has unnecessarily disadvantaged another party to the proceedings; and (b) the nature and complexity of the proceedings; and (c) the relative strengths of the claims made by the parties in the proceedings; and (d) if the proceedings are for review of a decision – (i) whether the applicant was accorded procedural fairness by the person who made the decision; and (ii) whether the applicant genuinely attempted to enable, and assist, to make the decision, the person who made the decision; and (e) the financial circumstances of the parties to the proceedings; and (f) any other matter the Tribunal thinks relevant. (4)  If the Tribunal considers that a representative of a party to proceedings, rather than the party, is responsible for behaviour, referred to in subsection (3)(a), that has unnecessarily disadvantaged another party to the proceedings, the Tribunal may order the representative to pay to the other party an amount specified in the order, as compensation for the unnecessary costs incurred by the other party as a result of the behaviour. (5)  The Tribunal may not make an order under subsection (4) against a representative of a party to proceedings unless the representative has been given a reasonable opportunity to be heard before the order is made. (6)  If an order is made under subsection (4) against a representative of a party to proceedings – (a) the representative may not require the party to pay to the representative an amount, in addition to the amount that the party would otherwise be required to pay the representative, so as to reimburse the representative for the amount paid as a consequence of the order; and (b) a party to the proceedings is not required to pay to a representative an amount, in addition to the amount that the party would otherwise be required to pay the representative, that the representative requires the party to pay so as to reimburse the representative for the amount paid as a consequence of the order. (7)  Costs that may be ordered under this Act, the National Law or a referring Act may be ordered at any stage during proceedings or after the proceedings conclude. (8)  [Section 40 Subsection (8) inserted by No. 18 of 2021, s. 202, Applied:05 Nov 2021] Section 120(2) and (4) of the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2020 does not apply in relation to the costs of a party in proceedings under this Act. 41Division 5Evidence4243Evidence (1)  The Tribunal must allow a party to proceedings a reasonable opportunity – (a) to call or give evidence; and (b) to examine, cross-examine or re-examine witnesses; and (c) to make submissions to the Tribunal. (2)  Despite subsection (1), the Tribunal may refuse to allow a party to proceedings to call evidence on a matter if the Tribunal considers that there is already sufficient evidence of that matter before the Tribunal. (3)  Evidence in proceedings – (a) may be given orally or in writing; and (b) if the Tribunal requires, must be given on oath or by affidavit. (4)  A member may administer or cause to be administered an oath, or take or cause to be taken an affirmation, for the purpose of taking and receiving evidence during proceedings. 44Authorisation of person to take evidence (1)  The Tribunal may authorise, in writing, a person (whether or not a member) to take evidence on behalf of the Tribunal for the purposes of any proceedings. (2)  [Section 44 Subsection (2) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 205, Applied:05 Nov 2021] The Tribunal’s power under subsection (1) to authorise the taking of evidence is exercisable only by the President, or a Deputy President or senior member, constituting in whole or in part the Tribunal for the proceedings. (3)  A person may take evidence under this section outside Tasmania if authorised to do so by the Tribunal. (4)  The Tribunal may give directions as to the taking of evidence under this section. (5)  If a person other than a member is authorised to take evidence – (a) the person has all the powers of a member in relation to the taking of evidence; and (b) section 53(2)(b) applies as if the person were the Tribunal. (6)  Evidence taken under this section – (a) is to be taken to be evidence given to the Tribunal; and (b) in the case of evidence taken outside Tasmania, is to be taken to have been given in Tasmania. 45Use of experts (1)  The Tribunal may call in the assistance of an expert to advise the Tribunal in respect of any matter arising in a proceeding before the Tribunal. (2)  The parties to proceedings before the Tribunal – (a) are responsible for the costs of the advice provided to the Tribunal by an expert called in by the Tribunal; and (b) are to pay the costs in the proportions determined by the Tribunal. (3)  The Tribunal is not bound by the advice provided by an expert called in by the Tribunal. 46Rule against self-incrimination does not apply (1)  A person is not excused from answering a question or producing a document in proceedings on the ground that the answer or document might tend to incriminate the person. (2)  If the person claims, before answering a question or producing a document, that the answer or document might tend to incriminate the person, the answer or document is not admissible in evidence in any criminal proceedings in relation to an offence alleged to have been committed by the person, other than in proceedings in respect of the falsity of the answer or the document. 47PART 6Miscellaneous484950Records of hearingsThe Tribunal is to keep a record, which may be an electronic record, of each hearing in proceedings before the Tribunal, other than any meeting of the Tribunal that is held in private. 51Publication of decisions of TribunalThe Tribunal may, as it thinks fit, publish in the manner it thinks fit, or refuse to publish, a decision of the Tribunal in respect of proceedings under this Act. 525354Secrecy (1)  This section applies to any person who – (a) [Section 54 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2021, s. 209, Applied:05 Nov 2021] is or has been a member of the Tribunal; or (b) is or has been a State Service officer, or a State Service employee, who is engaged to provide services to the Tribunal. (2)  Except as permitted by this section, a person to whom this section applies must not directly or indirectly make a record of, or disclose to any person, any information about the affairs of a person acquired in the performance of functions under or in connection with this Act, the National Law or a referring Act.Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 50 penalty units. (3)  A person to whom this section applies may record or disclose information referred to in subsection (2)  – (a) with the written consent of the person to whom the information relates; or (b) in connection with the performance of functions under this Act, the National Law or a referring Act. (4)  A person to whom this section applies may disclose any information referred to in subsection (2) to a member of the police force for the purposes of reporting a suspected offence or assisting in the investigation of a suspected offence. (5)  Nothing in this section applies to the recording or disclosure of – (a) information that consists of anything said or done at a hearing of the Tribunal, except if an order is made under section 30(2)(b) in relation to the information; or (b) any decision or order of the Tribunal or the reasons for any such decision or order. PART 7Concluding Provisions55Regulations (1)  The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act. (2)  Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may prescribe the fees payable for an application under section 21(2) or (4). (3)  The regulations may be made so as to apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time, circumstance or otherwise, specified in the regulations. 5657Administration of ActUntil provision is made in relation to this Act by order under section 4 of the Administrative Arrangements Act 1990  – (a) the administration of this Act is assigned to the Minister for Justice; and (b) the department responsible to that Minister in relation to the administration of this Act is the Department of Justice. 58See Schedule 3. Schedule 1Schedule 2Schedule 3Consequential Amendment