Clause 2 of Schedule 3 to the Principal Act is amended by inserting after subclause (3) the following subclauses:

(4) However, a responsible entity that is conducting any proceedings in public may do either or both of the following if it considers that there are compelling grounds to do so:

(a) make an order excluding any person from the proceedings;

(b) make an order prohibiting the reporting or other disclosure of all or any of the proceedings or prohibiting the reporting or other disclosure of particular information in respect of the proceedings.

(5) Without limiting the range of grounds that may be relevant for the purposes of subclause (4) , the responsible entity may exercise its power under that subclause if –

(a) it is dealing with privileged information or information that has been communicated to the responsible entity in confidence; or

(b) it is dealing with information concerning the personal affairs, finances or business arrangements of a registered medical practitioner; or

(c) the disclosure of the proceedings or the information may be unfairly prejudicial to the reputation of a registered medical practitioner or any other person.

(6) A person must not fail to comply with an order made under subclause (4)(a) .

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.

(7) A person must not fail to comply with an order made under subclause (4)(b) .

Penalty:  In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units; or

(b) an individual, a fine not exceeding 25 penalty units.