Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 4 · Powers
20. Punitive powers of Parliament
Feedback & supportFor any dishonourable conduct, abuse of privilege or contempt, on the part of a Member, Parliament may —
contempt
“contempt” includes any breach of privilege of Parliament and the commission of any offence mentioned in Part 5;
commit him to prison for a term not extending beyond the current session of Parliament;
impose upon him a fine not exceeding the sum of $50,000;
suspend him from the service of Parliament for the remainder of the current session of Parliament or for any part thereof; and
direct that he be reprimanded or admonished in his place by the Speaker.
Where a Member has been found guilty of abuse of privilege in respect of anything said in Parliament by him, Parliament may, by resolution and without prejudice to its powers under subsection (1), suspend him for such period as may be specified in the resolution from the privileges and immunities conferred by sections 3, 5 and 6 insofar as they relate to liability to civil proceedings.
Member
“Member” means a Member of Parliament and shall, where the context so admits, include the Speaker;
During the period specified under subsection (2) such privileges and immunities shall cease to apply to the Member who shall be liable to civil proceedings in respect of anything said by him in, or any written statement made by him to, Parliament.
Parliament
“Parliament” includes a committee and, where the context so admits, the place or places appointed under Article 64(2) of the Constitution for holding sessions of Parliament;
For any contempt on the part of a stranger, Parliament may —
stranger
“stranger” means any person who is not a Member or officer of Parliament.
commit him to prison for a term not extending beyond the current session of Parliament;
impose upon him a fine not exceeding the sum of $50,000;
exclude him from Parliament and the precincts thereof for the remainder of the current session of Parliament or for any part thereof; and
direct that he be reprimanded or admonished at the Bar of the House by the Speaker.