Royal Commissions Amendment (Private Sessions) 2023

# Royal Commissions Amendment (Private Sessions) 2023 ## What it does This law lets Royal Commissions use specially appointed "Assistant Commissioners" to hold private sessions and gather information. Previously, only the main Commissioner(s) could do this. Now senior staff members can be formally authorized to conduct these closed-door hearings on behalf of the Commission. ## Why it matters Royal Commissions investigate serious issues affecting Australians — think aged care, child abuse, or institutional failures. Allowing trained staff to hold private sessions speeds up the process and lets more people come forward confidentially to share sensitive information without facing the main Commissioner directly. ## Key details - **Who can be an Assistant Commissioner**: Any Commission staff member the Commissioner thinks is qualified and senior enough, if circumstances justify it - **What they can do**: Hold private sessions to gather information — nothing else. They can't make formal findings or hold public hearings - **When it starts**: The day after the law received Royal Assent (it's already passed Parliament)

🔒 Voting closed — this bill has been decided by parliament