Section 40A — Privacy Act 1988: Conciliation of complaints

(1) If: (a) a complaint about an act or practice is made under section 36; and (b) the Commissioner considers it is reasonably possible that the complaint may be conciliated successfully; the Commissioner must make a reasonable attempt to conciliate the complaint. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the Commissioner has decided under section 41 or 50 not to investigate, or not to investigate further, the act or practice. (3) If the Commissioner is satisfied that there is no reasonable likelihood that the complaint will be resolved by conciliation, the Commissioner must, in writing, notify the complainant and respondent of that matter. (4) If a notification is given under subsection (3), the Commissioner may decide not to investigate, or not to investigate further, the act or practice. (5) Evidence of anything said or done in the course of the conciliation is not admissible in any hearing before the Commissioner, or in any legal proceedings, relating to complaint or the act or practice unless: (a) the complainant and respondent otherwise agree; or (b) the thing was said or done in furtherance of the commission of a fraud or an offence, or the commission of an act that renders a person liable to a civil penalty.