Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962

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3 Privileges, immunities and powers to be same as those of Commons House of Parliament of United Kingdom

4 Other provisions of this Act not in derogation of section 3

5 Freedom of speech and debate and proceedings

6 Exemption from liability in certain cases

7 Protection of Parliamentary publications

8 Publication of proceedings without malice

9 Exemption from certain duties

10 Freedom from arrest in civil proceedings

11 Legal process not to be served or executed within precincts of Parliament

11A Gratuity upon death or incapacity of Member

12 Power to order the attendance of persons

13 Attendance of persons to be notified by summons

14 Witnesses may be examined on oath or affirmation

15 Objections to answer questions or to produce papers to be reported to Parliament for decision

16 Privilege of witnesses

17 Immunity of witness in respect of evidence

18 Powers of Parliament in regard to strangers

19 Powers of Parliament in regard to its Members

20 Punitive powers of Parliament

21 Procedure in cases of contempt

22 Punishment in one session or Parliament in respect of offences committed in another

24 Power to order attendance of offenders

25 Attendance of offenders to be notified by summons

26 Arrest of defaulters

27 Arrest without warrant of persons disturbing proceedings

28 Strangers may be removed on order of Speaker

29 Suspended Member excluded from Parliament and not paid salary

30 Power of Speaker to issue warrants for arrest and imprisonment

32 Member to disclose pecuniary interest

33 Evidence of proceedings in Parliament or committee not to be given without leave

34 Printing false copy of laws, etc.

35 Certain fees, gifts, etc., prohibited

36 General offences and penalties

37 Restriction on prosecution

38 Powers of Speaker supplementary to powers otherwise conferred

39 Speaker to act notwithstanding prorogation or dissolution of Parliament

40 Journals to be admitted as evidence

Punitive powers of Parliament

20.—(1) For any dishonourable conduct, abuse of privilege or contempt, on the part of a Member, Parliament may —

(a)	commit him to prison for a term not extending beyond the current session of Parliament;
(b)	impose upon him a fine not exceeding the sum of $50,000;
(c)	suspend him from the service of Parliament for the remainder of the current session of Parliament or for any part thereof; and
(d)	direct that he be reprimanded or admonished in his place by the Speaker.

(2) 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.

(3) 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.

(4) For any contempt on the part of a stranger, Parliament may —

(a)	commit him to prison for a term not extending beyond the current session of Parliament;
(b)	impose upon him a fine not exceeding the sum of $50,000;
(c)	exclude him from Parliament and the precincts thereof for the remainder of the current session of Parliament or for any part thereof; and
(d)	direct that he be reprimanded or admonished at the Bar of the House by the Speaker.

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