Making Inquiries: A New Statutory Framework (ALRC Report 111)

• web@alrc.gov.au
• Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC)

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06 February 2010On 20 January 2009, the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) received Terms of Reference from the Attorney-General of Australia to review the operation and provisions of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth).

The final report, Making Inquiries: A New Statutory Framework (ALRC Report 111), was tabled in federal Parliament on 4 February 2010.

The report—the product of a nine-month inquiry—makes 82 recommendations for reform that balance the competing interests expressed in the ALRC’s extensive community consultation.

The ALRC has found that costs associated with expensive Royal Commissions could be reduced by establishing an alternative, second tier of public inquiry with proper investigatory powers and appropriate levels of transparency and protections for those involved.

Other ALRC recommendations are directed at openness and accountability, including the publication of inquiry reports and monitoring the resulting activity.

The ALRC also recommends that the new legislation include requirements for:

• the prompt tabling of Royal Commission and Official Inquiry reports in Parliament
• publishing a summary of the cost of each Royal Commission and Official Inquiry; and
• a framework for the protection of protected national security information utilised in the proceedings of Royal Commissions or Official Inquiries.

The full ALRC Report 111 is available at www.alrc.gov.au/inquiries/current/royal-commissions/ALRC111/index.html.