ALRC Report 111
Making Inquiries: A New Statutory Framework
Download and viewing options
Whole document: Portable Document Format (PDF) (2.7 MB). An HTML version of ALRC Report 111 is available on the AustLII website.
You need
Adobe Acrobat® Reader 4.0, or a later version, to view the PDF files.
Acrobat Reader is available as a free download from the Adobe website.
Contents
Terms of Reference (PDF) (RTF)
List of Participants (PDF) (RTF)
List of Recommendations (PDF) (RTF)
Part A – Introduction
1. Introduction to the Inquiry (PDF) (RTF)
Background
Scope of the Inquiry
Terminology
Law reform process
Organisation of Report
Further processes
2. History and Role of Public Inquiries (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Historical background and trends
Characteristics of public inquiries
Functions of public inquiries
Policy and investigatory inquiries
Types of public inquiries in Australia
3. Overview of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Establishment
Jurisdiction
Membership
Coercive powers
Methods of taking evidence
Privileges and immunities
Offences
Communication of information
Contempt
Concurrent Commonwealth and state inquiries
Custody and use of records
4. Comparative Forms of Public Inquiry (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Models of inquiry in Australian states and territories
Other models of inquiry in Australia
Models of inquiry in overseas jurisdictions
Part B – A New Statutory Framework
5. A New Statutory Framework for Public Inquiries (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
The current arrangements for public inquiries
Options for reform
Titles of inquiries and new inquiries legislation
Nature of inquiries in the recommended model
Selecting powers and associated privileges for each inquiry
Relationship between tiers of inquiry
Accountability mechanisms for inquiries
6. Establishment (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Inquiries Handbook
Factors for consideration before an inquiry is established
Establishing authority
An inquiry’s terms of reference
Appointment of inquiry members
Multi-member inquiries
Legal practitioners assisting an inquiry
Expert advisors
7. Reports and Recommendations (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Inquiry reports
Tabling reports in Parliament
Government responses to public inquiries
Implementation of recommendations
8. Administration and Records (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Administrative assistance for inquiries
Inquiry records
Part C – Funding and Costs of Inquiries
9. Funding and Costs (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Types of costs and expenses
Costs of inquiry participants
Other inquiry costs
Method of funding inquiries
10. Minimising Costs (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Sources of information about costs
Costs of public inquiries
Publication of budgets or expenses
Role of inquiry members
Jurisdiction to award costs
Other methods of minimising costs
Part D – Inquiry Powers
11. Powers (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Overview of powers of Royal Commissions and Official Inquiries
Coercive information-gathering powers
Other investigatory powers
Other issues
12. Protection from Legal Liability (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Current protection from legal liability
Need for protection from legal liability
Protection for inquiries
Electronic publications
Compellability
13. National Security (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Royal Commissions and inquiries in cases of national security
Overview of the use of national security information by inquiries
Special powers in cases of national security
Security clearances
Existing permanent bodies
Expert role for the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security
Government policies and protocols
Technical assistance
Part E – Conduct of Inquiries
14. Inquiries and Courts (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Judicial review
Referral of questions of law
Related legal proceedings
15. Procedures: General Aspects (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Methods of inquiry
Procedural fairness
The Salmon Principles
Leave to appear and be represented
Examination and cross-examination
Publication of responses to adverse findings
16. Procedures: Specific Aspects (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Information about procedures
Public access to inquiries
Inquiries affecting Indigenous peoples
Correction of the public record
17. Privileges and Public Interest Immunity (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Privileges under the Royal Commissions Act
Client legal privilege
Privilege against self-incrimination
Pending charges or penalty proceedings
Scope of use immunity
Privilege against spousal incrimination
Parliamentary privilege
Public interest immunity
Statutory privileges
18. Statutory Exemptions from Disclosure (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Secret processes of manufacture
Secrecy provisions
Part F – Offences and Penalties
19. Offences (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Civil or administrative sanctions
Offences of non-compliance
Strict liability
Scope of conduct
Notice requirements
Reasonable excuse
Relevance
Continuing offence
Contravention of directions
Interference with evidence or witnesses
Offences relating to Commissioners or staff
Disclosures by Commissioners or staff
20. Contempt (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Contempt of court
The prohibited conduct
Form of sanction
21. Penalties, Proceedings and Costs (PDF) (RTF)
Introduction
Setting penalties
Present penalties
Submissions and consultations
Penalties for Official Inquiries
Penalties for non-compliance
Unauthorised publications
Offence of substantial disruption
Proceedings
Costs
Appendix 1. List of Submissions (PDF) (RTF)
Appendix 2. List of Agencies, Organisations and Individuals Consulted (PDF) (RTF)
Appendix 3. List of Abbreviations (PDF) (RTF)
Appendix 4. Federal Royal Commissions established since March 1983 (PDF) (RTF)
Appendix 5. Non-Royal Commission Federal Public Inquiries established since March 1983 (PDF) (RTF)
Appendix 6. Table of Consequential Amendments (PDF) (RTF)
This Report reflects the law as at 9 October 2009.