Section 207ZN — Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989: Department not to disclose information identifying notifier

207ZN Department not to disclose information identifying notifier (1) This section applies to information— (a) To which section 207ZM applies; and (b) That, if disclosed, would be likely to identify, or lead to the identification of, a person ( a notifier ) who notified the interstate officer of the person's belief that a child or young person was in need of care or protection. (2) This section does not apply to information that is or may be evidence of any grounds that the notifier had for his or her belief. (3) The chief executive, or an officer or employee of the Department, must not disclose information to which this section applies unless— (a) The notifier has consented in writing to the disclosure; or (b) The disclosure is to enable— (i) The investigation, or consideration, of any need to take action under this Act in respect of the child or young person; or (ii) The taking of any such action; or (c) The disclosure is in accordance with subsection (4). (4) In proceedings in any court, or in any proceedings of a judicial nature, unless the notifier has consented in writing or the court or tribunal concerned has granted leave,— (a) A witness must not be asked, and if asked is entitled to refuse to answer, a question the answer to which would be information to which this section applies; and (b) Information to which this section applies is not admissible as evidence. (5) A court or tribunal may grant leave under subsection (4) only if satisfied that the asking and answering of the question, or the admission as evidence of the information, is necessary— (a) To ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child or young person; or (b) In the interests of justice. Part 3A, comprising sections 207A to 207ZO, was inserted, as from 1 November 1999, by section 3 Children, Young Persons, and Their Families (Trans-Tasman Transfer of Protection Orders and Proceedings) Amendment Act 1999 (1999 No 116).