Failure to answer questions or produce documents
(1) A person commits an offence if: (a) the person is subject to a requirement under subsection 135B(2); and (b) the person fails to comply with the requirement. Penalty: (a) if the person is a body corporate—150 penalty units; or (b) if the person is not a body corporate—30 penalty units. (2) A person is not excused from: (a) answering a question; or (b) producing a document; as required under subsection 135B(2) on the ground that the answer, or production of the document, might tend to incriminate the person or expose the person to a penalty. (3) However, in the case of an individual: (a) the answer, or the document produced; and (b) giving the answer, or producing the document; are not admissible in evidence against the individual in any criminal proceedings other than: (c) proceedings for any offence against subsection (1); or (d) proceedings for an offence based on the answer or document being false or misleading; or (e) proceedings for an offence based on the obstruction of public officials. (4) Subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability. Note: For strict liability, see section 6.1 of the Criminal Code.
Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 22 May 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.
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