REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Refugees Convention Act 2012

Act No. 12 of 2012

Table of Provisions

PART 1 – PRELIMINARY

1 Short title 
2 Commencement 
3 Interpretation 
4 Protection of refugees—principle of non-refoulment 

PART 2 – DETERMINATION OF REFUGEE STATUS

5 Application for refugee status 
6 Determination of refugee status 
7 Powers of Secretary in determining refugee status 
8 Subsequent asylum claim 
9 Notice of determination on refugee status 
10 Cancellation of refugee status 

PART 3 – REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW TRIBUNAL 

Division 1 – Establishment and membership of Tribunal 

11 Establishment 
12 Membership 
13 Appointment of members 
14 Principal Member 
15 Resignation 
16 Disclosure of interests 
17 Removal from office 
18 Registrar and officers 

Division 2 – Constitution, sittings and powers 

19 Constitution for merits review 
20 Reconstitution if necessary 
21 Sittings 
22 Way of operating 
23 Review to be in private 
24 Evidence and procedure 
25 Authorisation of person to take evidence 
26 Oral evidence by telephone etc. 
27 Certain Tribunal decisions to be published 

Division 3 – Offences 

28 Failure of witness to attend 
29 Refusal to be sworn or to answer questions etc. 
30 Contempt 

PART 4 – MERITS REVIEW BY TRIBUNAL 

Division 1 – Application 

31 Application for merits review by Tribunal 
32 Secretary to be notified of application and to provide information 
33 Period within which Tribunal must conduct merits review 
34 Decision of Tribunal on application for merits review 

Division 2 – Review procedures 

35 Parties may give information or written arguments to Tribunal 
36 Tribunal may seek information 
37 Invitation to applicant to comment or respond 
38 Requirements for invitation 
39 Failure of applicant to respond 
40 Tribunal must invite applicant to appear 
41 Failure of applicant to appear before Tribunal 

Division 3 – Miscellaneous 

42 Rights conferred by this Part additional to other rights 

PART 5 – APPEAL 

43 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court 
44 Decision by Supreme Court on appeal 
45 Costs 
46 Period within which Tribunal must reconsider matter remitted 
47 Rights conferred by this Part additional to other rights 

PART 6 – CONFIDENTIALITY 

48 Confidentiality 
49 Disclosure of certain information 
50 Disclosure of confidential information
 
PART 7 – MISCELLANEOUS 

51 Principal Member's obligation to report to Minister 
52 Regulations 

______________________________

REPUBLIC OF NAURU
Refugees Convention Act 2012
Act No. 12 of 2012

An Act to give effect to the Refugees Convention; and for other purposes 

Certified on 10 October 2012 

Enacted by the Parliament of Nauru as follows:
 
PART 1 – PRELIMINARY

1 Short title 

This Act may be cited as the Refugees Convention Act 2012. 

2 Commencement 

 (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act commences on the day it receives the certificate of the Speaker under Article 47. 

 (2) Parts 3, 4 and 5 of this Act commence on a date to be fixed by the Minister by Gazette notice. 

3 Interpretation 

In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears: 

'asylum seeker' means: 

(a) a person who applies to be recognised as a refugee under section 5; or 

(b) a person, or persons of a class, prescribed by the Regulations;

 'corresponding law' means a law of another jurisdiction that provides for a person to apply for recognition as a refugee under the Refugees Convention as modified by the Refugees Protocol; 

'Deputy Principal Member' means a Deputy Principal Member of the Tribunal; 

'member' means the Principal Member, a Deputy Principal Member or any other member of the Tribunal; 

'personal identifier' means any of the following (including any of the following in digital form): 

(a) fingerprints or handprints of a person, including those taken using paper and ink or digital technologies; 

(b) a measurement of a person's height and weight; 

(c) a photograph or other image of a person or of the face and shoulders or other part of a person; 

(d) an audio or video recording of a person; 

(e) an iris scan; 

(f) a person's signature; 

(g) any other identifier prescribed by the Regulations; 

'Principal Member' means the Principal Member of the Tribunal; 

'refugee' means a person who is a refugee under the Refugees Convention as modified by the Refugees Protocol; 

'Refugees Convention' means the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28 July 1951; 

'Refugees Protocol' means the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on 31 January 1967; 

'Secretary' means the Head of Department; 

'Tribunal' means the Refugee Status Review Tribunal established under section 11.

 4 Protection of refugees—principle of non-refoulment 

The Republic must not expel or return a person determined to be recognised as a refugee to the frontiers of territories where his or her life or freedom would be threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion except in accordance with the Refugees Convention as modified by the Refugees Protocol. 

PART 2 – DETERMINATION OF REFUGEE STATUS

5 Application for refugee status 

 (1) A person may apply to the Secretary to be recognised as a refugee. 

 (2) The application must: 

(a) be in the form prescribed by the Regulations; and 

(b) be accompanied by the information prescribed by the Regulations. 

 (3) No fee may be charged for the making or processing of the application. 

6 Determination of refugee status 

 (1) Subject to this Part, the Secretary must determine whether an asylum seeker is recognised as a refugee. 

 (2) The determination must be made as soon as practicable after a person becomes an asylum seeker under this Act. 

7 Powers of Secretary in determining refugee status 

 (1) For the purposes of determining whether an asylum seeker is recognised as a refugee, the Secretary: 

(a) may require the asylum seeker: 

(i) to provide one or more personal identifiers to assist in the identification of, and to authenticate the identity of, the asylum seeker; and 

(ii) to attend one or more interviews; and 

(iii) to provide information required by the Secretary, within the period specified, for the purposes of the determination; and 

(iv) to consent to the release by any other person of relevant documents or information relating to the asylum seeker; and 

 (v) if the Secretary believes on reasonable grounds that the asylum seeker has in his or her possession or control a document relating to the asylum seeker (including a passport or travel document)—to produce the document; and 

(vi) to verify, by statutory declaration or on oath or affirmation, information provided to the Secretary; and 

(b) may seek information from any other source and for that purpose may, if the Secretary believes on reasonable grounds that a person has in his or her possession or control a document relating to the asylum seeker (including a passport or travel document)—require the person to produce the document; and 

(c) may rely, without further enquiry, on a determination made under the Refugees Convention or a corresponding law. 

 (3) However, the Secretary: 

(a) is not obliged to seek information, evidence or submissions further to that provided by the asylum seeker; and 

(b) may make the determination as to whether the asylum seeker is recognised as a refugee on the basis of the information, evidence and submissions provided by the asylum seeker; and 

(c) may decline to make a determination if the asylum seeker has declined to provide a personal identifier reasonably required by the Secretary. 

 (4) If an asylum seeker who is required to attend an interview fails to attend the interview, the Secretary may determine whether the asylum seeker is recognised as a refugee without conducting the interview.

8 Subsequent asylum claim 

The Secretary may decline to make a determination in relation to an application to be recognised as a refugee if: 

(a) a determination that the applicant is not a refugee has previously been made under this Act, the Refugees Convention or a corresponding law; and 

(b) the Secretary is satisfied that circumstances have not changed to such an extent that the application is based on significantly different grounds as existed at the time of the previous determination. 

9 Notice of determination on refugee status 

As soon as practicable after making a determination as to whether an asylum seeker is recognised a refugee or a decision to decline to make a determination, the Secretary must give the asylum seeker a notice specifying: 

(a) the relevant determination or decision; and 

(b) the reasons for the determination or decision; and 

(c) if the asylum seeker has not been recognised as a refugee, or the Secretary declined to make a determination—details of the claimant's right to merits review. 

10 Cancellation of refugee status 

 (1) The Secretary must cancel a person's recognition as a refugee if the Secretary is satisfied that: 

(a) the Refugees Convention as modified by the Refugees Protocol ceases to apply to the person; or 

(b) the recognition given by the Secretary was procured by fraud, forgery, false or misleading representation, or concealment of relevant information. 

 (2) As soon as practicable after cancelling a person's recognition as a refugee, the Secretary must give the person a notice specifying: 

(a) the decision; and 

(b) the reasons for the decision; and 

(c) details of the person's right to merits review. 

 (3) The Secretary may cancel a person's recognition as a refugee if requested by the person while in Nauru. 

PART 3 – REFUGEE STATUS REVIEW TRIBUNAL

Division 1 – Establishment and membership of Tribunal

11 Establishment 

The Refugee Status Review Tribunal is established. 

12 Membership 

 (1) The Tribunal consists of: 

(a) a Principal Member; and 

(b) 2 Deputy Principal Members; and 

(c) such number of other members as are appointed in accordance with this Act. 

 (2) The total number of persons appointed under paragraph (1)(c) must not exceed the prescribed number. 

13 Appointment of members 

 (1) The members of the Tribunal must be appointed by Cabinet in consultation with the Chief Justice. 

 (2) A person is eligible for appointment as the Principal Member or as a Deputy Principal Member only if the person is qualified to be appointed a judge of the Supreme Court. 

 (3) The Regulations may prescribe other eligibility requirements for appointment as a member. 

 (4) Subject to this Part, a member holds office for the period, not exceeding 5 years, specified in the instrument of appointment, and is eligible for reappointment. 

(5) A member holds office on such other terms and conditions as are determined by the Minister in writing. 

14 Principal Member 

 (1) The Principal Member is the executive officer of the Tribunal and is responsible for the overall operation and administration of the Tribunal. 

 (2) The Principal Member is responsible for allocating the work of the Tribunal among the members (including himself or herself). 

 (3) The Principal Member may give directions in writing, not inconsistent with this Act, as to: 

(a) the operations of the Tribunal; and 

(b) the conduct of reviews by the Tribunal. 

 (4) The Tribunal should, as far as practicable, comply with the directions. 

 (5) However, non-compliance by the Tribunal with a direction does not affect the validity of a decision of the Tribunal. 

15 Resignation 

A member may resign by writing signed by him or her and sent to the President as Chairman of the Cabinet. 

16 Disclosure of interests 

 (1) A member who has a conflict of interest in relation to a review by the Tribunal: 

(a) must disclose the matters giving rise to that conflict to the applicant and: 

(i) if the member is the Principal Member—to the Minister; and 

(ii) in any other case—to the Principal Member; and 

(b) must not take part in the review or exercise powers in relation to the review unless: 

(i) if the member is the Principal Member—the applicant and the Minister consent; or 

(ii) in any other case—the applicant and the Principal Member consent. 

 (2) For this section, a member has a conflict of interest in relation to a review by the Tribunal if the member has an interest, pecuniary or otherwise, that could conflict with the proper performance of the member's functions in relation to that review. 

17 Removal from office 

 (1) The President, with the consent of Cabinet, may remove a member from office on the ground of misconduct or physical or mental incapacity. 

 (2) The President may remove a member from office if: 

(a) the member ceases to be eligible to be appointed a member (and the ground on which the person ceases to be eligible was prescribed before the appointment of the member); or 

(b) the member fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with his or her obligations as a member. 

18 Registrar and officers 

 (1) The Minister: 

(a) must appoint a Registrar of the Tribunal; and 

(b) may appoint such other officers of the Tribunal as are required. 

 (2) The officers of the Tribunal have: 

(a) the functions and powers prescribed by the Regulations; and 

(b) any other functions as directed by the Principal Member. 

Division 2 – Constitution, sittings and powers

19 Constitution for merits review 

 (1) For the purpose of a particular review, the Tribunal is to be constituted by: 

(a) the Principal Member or a Deputy Principal Member, who will preside; and 

(b) 2 other members. 

 (2) The Principal Member must determine who is to constitute the Tribunal for the purpose of a particular review. 

20 Reconstitution if necessary 

 (1) The Principal Member may reconstitute the Tribunal if: 

(a) one or more of the 3 members who constitute the Tribunal for the purposes of a particular review: 

(i) stops being a member; or 

(ii) for any reason, is not available for the purpose of the review at the place where the review is being conducted; or 

(b) the Principal Member thinks the reconstitution is in the interests of achieving the efficient conduct of the review. 

 (2) The Tribunal as reconstituted is to continue to finish the review and may have regard to any record of the proceedings of the review made by the Tribunal as previously constituted. 

21 Sittings 

 (1) Sittings of the Tribunal are to be held from time to time as required, in such places in Nauru as are convenient. 

 (2) The Tribunal constituted by 3 members may sit and exercise the powers of the Tribunal even though the Tribunal constituted by another 3 members is at the same time sitting and exercising those powers. 

22 Way of operating 

The Tribunal: 

(a) is not bound by technicalities, legal forms or rules of evidence; and 

(b) must act according to the principles of natural justice and the substantial merits of the case. 

23 Review to be in private and recording made 

 (1) The hearing of an application for review by the Tribunal must be in private. 

 (2) An audio or audio visual recording must be made of a hearing. 

24 Evidence and procedure 

 (1) For the purpose of a review, the Tribunal may: 

(a) take evidence on oath or affirmation; or 

(b) adjourn the review from time to time; or 

(c) subject to Part 6, give information to the applicant and to the Secretary; or 

(d) require the Secretary to arrange for the making of an investigation, or a medical examination, that the Tribunal thinks necessary with respect to the review, and to give to the Tribunal a report of that investigation or examination. 

 (2) The Tribunal in relation to a review may: 

(a) summon a person to appear before the Tribunal to give evidence; and 

(b) summon a person to produce to the Tribunal such documents as are referred to in the summons; and 

(c) require a person appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence on oath or affirmation. 

 (3) A member of the Tribunal or the Registrar may administer an oath or affirmation to a person appearing before the Tribunal. 

(4) A person appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence is not entitled to examine or cross-examine any other person appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence. 

 (5) If a person appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence is not proficient in English, the Tribunal may direct that communication with that person during his or her appearance proceed through an interpreter. 

25 Authorisation of person to take evidence 

 (1) The power of the Tribunal to take evidence on oath or affirmation for the purpose of a review may be exercised on behalf of the Tribunal by a person authorised in writing by the Tribunal who is: 

(a) a public officer; or 

(b) another person approved in writing by the Minister for the purposes of this section. 

 (2) The power to take evidence on oath or affirmation may be exercised on behalf of the Tribunal: 

(a) inside or outside Nauru; and 

(b) subject to such limitations (if any) as are specified by the Tribunal. 

 (3) If a person other than the Tribunal is authorised to take evidence for the purpose of a review: 

(a) the person has, for the purpose of taking that evidence: 

(i) all the powers of the Tribunal under section 24; and 

(ii) the power to administer an oath or affirmation to a person appearing before the first-mentioned person to give evidence; and 

(b) for the purpose of the exercise of those powers by that person, this Part has effect (except where the context otherwise requires) as if a reference to the Tribunal included a reference to that person. 

 (4) If a person exercises the power of the Tribunal to take evidence on oath or affirmation for the purpose of a review, the person must cause a written record of the evidence taken to be made and sent to the Tribunal. 

(5) If the Tribunal receives the record of evidence given by the applicant, the Tribunal is taken to have given the applicant an opportunity to appear before it to give evidence. 

26 Oral evidence by telephone etc.

For the purposes of a review, the Tribunal may allow the appearance by the applicant before the Tribunal, or the giving of evidence by the applicant or any other person, to be by: 

(a) telephone; or 

(b) closed-circuit television; or 

(c) any other means of communication. 

27 Certain Tribunal decisions to be published 

 (1) A decision of the Tribunal that the Principal Member thinks is of general interest may be published. 

 (2) The published decision must not identify an applicant or a relative or other dependent of an applicant. 

Division 3 – Offences

28 Failure of witness to attend 

 (1) A person who has been served with a summons to appear before the Tribunal to give evidence must not: 

(a) fail to attend as required by the summons; or 

(b) fail to appear and report from day to day unless excused, or released from further attendance, by the Tribunal. 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months. 

 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse. 

 (3) An offence against subsection (1) is an offence of strict liability. 

 (4) An invitation to appear before the Tribunal is not a summons to appear before the Tribunal to give evidence. 

29 Refusal to be sworn or to answer questions etc. 

 (1) A person appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence must not: 

(a) when required to take an oath or to make an affirmation—refuse or fail to comply with the requirement; or 

(b) refuse or fail to answer a question that the person is required to answer by the Tribunal. 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months. 

 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse. 

 (3) A person must not refuse or fail to produce a document that a person is required to produce by a summons served on the person. 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 6 months. 

 (4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse. 

 (5) An offence against subsection (1) or (3) is an offence of strict liability. 

 (6) A person appearing before the Tribunal to give evidence must not intentionally give evidence that is false or misleading in a material particular. 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months. 

30 Contempt 

A person must not: 

(a) obstruct or hinder the Tribunal or a member in the performance of the functions of the Tribunal; or 

(b) disrupt the taking of evidence by the Tribunal. 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.

PART 4 – MERITS REVIEW BY TRIBUNAL

Division 1 – Application

31 Application for merits review by Tribunal 

 (1) A person may apply to the Tribunal for merits review of any of the following: 

(a) a determination that the person is not recognised as a refugee; 

(b) a decision to decline to make a determination on the person's application for recognition as a refugee; 

(c) a decision to cancel a person's recognition as a refugee (unless the cancellation was at the request of the person). 

 (2) The application must be made: 

(a) within 28 days after the person receives notice of the determination or decision; and 

(b) in the form prescribed by the Regulations. 

 (3) No fee may be charged for the making or hearing of the application. 

32 Secretary to be notified of application and to provide information 

 (1) If an application for review is made to the Tribunal, the Registrar must, as soon as practicable, give the Secretary written notice of the making of the application. 

 (2) The Secretary must, within 10 working days after being notified of the application (or such longer period as the Presiding Member may allow), give to the Registrar the prescribed number of copies of a statement about the determination or decision under review that: 

(a) sets out the findings of fact made by the person who made the determination or decision; and 

(b) refers to the evidence on which those findings were based; and 

(c) gives the reasons for the determination or decision. 

 (3) The Secretary must, as soon as is practicable after being notified of the application, give to the Registrar each other document, or part of a document, that is in the Secretary's possession or control and is considered by the Secretary to be relevant to the determination or decision. 

33 Period within which Tribunal must conduct merits review 

 (1) The Tribunal must complete a review of a determination or decision within 90 days after the day on which the Secretary gives the Registrar the documents relevant to the review. 

 (2) Failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of a decision on an application for merits review. 

34 Decision of Tribunal on application for merits review 

 (1) The Tribunal may, for the purposes of a merits review of a determination or decision, exercise all the powers and discretions of the person who made the determination or decision. 

 (2) On a merits review of a determination or decision, the Tribunal may: 

(a) affirm the determination or decision; or 

(b) vary the determination or decision; or 

(c) remit the matter to the Secretary for reconsideration in accordance with directions or recommendations of the Tribunal; or 

(d) set the determination or decision aside and substitute a new determination or decision. 

 (3) If the Tribunal: 

(a) varies the determination or decision; or 

(b) sets aside the determination or decision and substitutes a new determination or decision; 

the determination or decision as varied or substituted is taken (except for the purpose of appeals from decisions of the Tribunal) to be a determination or decision of the Secretary. 

 (4) The Tribunal must give the applicant for review and the Secretary a written statement that: 

(a) sets out the decision of the Tribunal on the review; and 

(b) sets out the reasons for the decision; and 

(c) sets out the findings on any material questions of fact; and 

(d) refers to the evidence or other material on which the findings of fact were based. 

 (5) A decision on a review is taken to have been made on the date of the written statement. 

Division 2 – Review procedures

35 Parties may give information or written arguments to Tribunal 

 (1) An applicant for review by the Tribunal may give the Registrar: 

(a) a statutory declaration in relation to a matter of fact that the applicant wishes the Tribunal to consider; and 

(b) written arguments relating to the issues arising in relation to the determination or decision under review. 

 (2) The Secretary may give the Registrar written argument relating to the issues arising in relation to the determination or decision under review. 

36 Tribunal may seek information 

In conducting a review, the Tribunal may: 

(a) invite, either orally (including by telephone) or in writing, a person to provide information; and 

(b) obtain, by any other means, information that it considers relevant. 

37 Invitation to applicant to comment or respond 

The Tribunal must: 

(a) give to the applicant, in the way that the Tribunal considers appropriate in the circumstances, clear particulars of information that the Tribunal considers would be the reason, or a part of the reason, for affirming the determination or decision that is under review; and 

(b) ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that the applicant understands why it is relevant to the review, and the consequences of it being relied on in affirming the determination or decision that is under review; and 

(c) invite the applicant in writing to comment on or respond to it. 

38 Requirements for invitation 

 (1) An invitation by the Tribunal to provide information or to comment or respond to information must specify: 

(a) the way in which the information, comment or response is to be given; and 

(b) the time, date and place on which, or the period within which, the information, comment or response is to be given. 

 (2) The Tribunal may alter the time, date or place specified in an invitation or extend the period within which the information, comment or response is to be given. 

39 Failure of applicant to respond 

If a person is invited by the Tribunal to give information or to comment or respond to information but does not do so as required, the Tribunal may make a decision on the review without taking further action to obtain the information, comment or response. 

40 Tribunal must invite applicant to appear 

 (1) The Tribunal must invite the applicant to appear before the Tribunal to give evidence and present arguments relating to the issues arising in relation to the determination or decision under review. 

 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if: 

(a) the Tribunal considers that it should decide the review in the applicant's favour on the basis of the material before it; or 

(b) the applicant consents to the Tribunal deciding the review without the applicant appearing before it. 

 (3) An invitation to appear before the Tribunal must be given to the applicant with reasonable notice and must: 

(a) specifiy the time, date and place at which the applicant is scheduled to appear; and 

(b) invite the applicant to specify, by written notice to the Tribunal given within 7 days, persons from whom the applicant would like the Tribunal to obtain oral evidence. 

 (4) If the Tribunal is notified by an applicant under subsection (3)(b), the Tribunal must have regard to the applicant's wishes but is not required to obtain evidence (orally or otherwise) from a person named in the applicant's notice. 

41 Failure of applicant to appear before Tribunal 

 (1) If the applicant: 

(a) is invited to appear before the Tribunal; and 

(b) does not appear before the Tribunal on the day on which, or at the time and place at which, the applicant is scheduled to appear; 

the Tribunal may make a decision on the review without taking further action to allow or enable the applicant to appear before it. 

 (2) This section does not prevent the Tribunal from rescheduling the applicant's appearance before it, or from delaying its decision on the review, in order to enable the applicant's appearance before it as rescheduled. 

Division 3 – Miscellaneous

42 Rights conferred by this Part additional to other rights 

The rights of a person provided under this Part for a review of a determination or decision are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other right that the person may have for review of the determination or decision. 

PART 5 – APPEAL

43 Jurisdiction of Supreme Court 

 (1) A person who, by a decision of the Tribunal, is not recognised as a refugee may appeal to the Supreme Court against that decision on a point of law. 

 (2) The parties to the appeal are the appellant and the Republic. 

 (3) The notice of appeal must be filed within 28 days after the person receives the written statement of the decision of the Tribunal. 

 (4) The notice of appeal must: 

(a) state the grounds on which the appeal is made; and 

(b) be accompanied by the supporting materials on which the appellant relies. 

Note for section 43 

Under section 44(c) of the Appeals Act 1972, an appeal lies to the High Court of Australia, with the leave of the High Court, against any judgment, decree or order of the Supreme Court in the exercise of its appellate jurisdiction under Part III of the Appeals Act or under any other written law. 

44 Decision by Supreme Court on appeal 

 (1) In deciding an appeal, the Supreme Court may make either of the following orders: 

(a) an order affirming the decision of the Tribunal; 

(b) an order remitting the matter to the Tribunal for reconsideration in accordance with any directions of the Court. 

 (2) If the Court makes an order remitting the matter to the Tribunal, the Court may also make either or both of the following orders: 

(a) an order declaring the rights of a party or of the parties; 

(b) an order quashing or staying the decision of the Tribunal. 

45 Costs 

The Supreme Court may not make an order for costs against the appellant except in extraordinary circumstances. 

46 Period within which Tribunal must reconsider matter remitted 

 (1) If a matter is remitted to the Tribunal for reconsideration, the Tribunal must complete its reconsideration within 90 days. 

 (2) Failure to comply with this section does not affect the validity of a decision on an application for merits review. 

47 Rights conferred by this Part additional to other rights 

The rights of a person provided under this Part for an appeal against a decision are in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other right that the person may have for review of the decision. 

PART 6 – CONFIDENTIALITY

48 Confidentiality 

 (1) The Secretary and the Supreme Court must maintain confidentiality at all times as to: 

(a) the identity of an asylum seeker whose application to be recognised as a refugee is being considered under this Act; and 

(b) the particulars of the determination of the application or any other matter relevant to the determination. 

 (2) Subsection (1) does not prevent disclosure of particulars: 

(a) to a person necessarily involved in determining the relevant determination, including any appeal; or 

(b) to a public officer whose functions in relation to the asylum seeker require knowledge of those particulars; or 

(c) to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or a representative of the High Commissioner; or 

(d) in dealing with government officials of other countries, not being the country of feared persecution. 

 (3) Subsection (1) does not apply if an asylum seeker has waived his or her rights under that subsection. 

49 Disclosure of certain information 

 (1) This section applies to information that: 

(a) is given to the Secretary or the Tribunal in confidence; or 

(b) is of a kind prescribed by the Regulations. 

 (2) If the Secretary or the Tribunal receives information to which this section applies, the Secretary or the Tribunal (as the case requires): 

(a) may, for the purpose of the exercise of powers under this Act, have regard to the information; and

 (b) must, if intending to rely on the information for the purpose of the exercise of powers contrary to the interests of an applicant, disclose the information to the applicant. 

 (3) If the Secretary or the Tribunal discloses information to the applicant under subsection (2)(b), the Secretary or the Tribunal (as the case requires) may give a direction to the applicant that the information must not be disclosed except in a specified manner and to specified persons, or to persons of a specified class. 

 (4) A person commits an offence if the person discloses information contrary to a direction of the Secretary or the Tribunal under subsection (3). 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years. 

50 Disclosure of confidential information 

 (1) This section applies to a person who is or has been: 

(a) the Secretary; or 

(b) a member of the Tribunal; or 

(c) an officer of the Tribunal; or 

(d) a Judge of the Supreme Court; or 

(e) an officer of the Supreme Court; or 

(f) a person providing interpreting services in connection with: 

(i) a review by the Tribunal; or 

(ii) an appeal in the Supreme Court. 

 (2) This section applies to information or a document if the information or document: 

(a) concerns a person; and 

(b) is obtained by a person to whom this section applies in the course of performing functions or exercising powers under this Act. 

 (3) A person to whom this section applies must not: 

(a) make a record of information to which this section applies; or 

(b) directly or indirectly divulge or communicate to a person information to which this section applies; 

unless the record is made or the information is divulged or communicated: 

(c) for the purposes of this Act; or 

(d) for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance of a function or the exercise of a power under this Act. 

Maximum penalty: Imprisonment for 2 years. 

 (4) A person to whom this section applies must not be required to produce, or permit access to, a document, or to divulge or communicate information, to which this section applies to or in: 

(a) a court; or 

(b) a tribunal; or 

(c) Parliament; or 

(d) a Parliamentary Committee; or 

(e) any other authority or person having power to require the production of documents or the answering of questions, 

except if it is necessary to do so for the purposes of carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. 

 (5) For this section, a person who is providing interpreting services in connection with a review by the Tribunal or an appeal in the Supreme Court is taken to be performing a function under this Act. 

PART 7 – MISCELLANEOUS

51 Principal Member's obligation to report to Minister 

 (1) The Principal Member must give a report to the Minister, within 45 days after the end of each reporting period, about each occasion on which the Tribunal has not been able to complete a review or reconsideration of matters remitted to the Tribunal within the required period (see section 33 and section 46). 

 (2) A report must include: 

(a) the date of each application for review or the date on which the matter was remitted to the Tribunal; and 

(b) the reasons why the decisions were not reviewed or the matters reconsidered within the required period. 

 (3) A report must not include: 

(a) the name of any current or former applicant for review; or 

(b) information that may identify such an applicant; or 

(c) the name of any other person connected in any way with an application for review; or 

(d) information that may identify that other person. 

 (4) A report may include other information that the Principal Member thinks appropriate. 

 (5) The Minister must cause a copy of a report under this section to be tabled in Parliament within 4 sitting days after the day on which the Minister receives the report from the Principal Member. 

 (6) For the purposes of this section, each of the following is a reporting period: 

 (a) the period that starts on the day that the Tribunal is first constituted and ends 4 months after that day; 

(b) each subsequent period of 4 months. 

52 Regulations 

 (1) The Cabinet may make regulations under this Act. 

 (2) The regulations may: 

(a) be of general application or vary in their application according to prescribed factors; and 

(b) give a person discretion to decide a matter.