Part A - Introduction. 1. Introduction to the inquiry; 2. History and role of public inquiries; 3. Overview of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth); 4. Comparative forms of public inquiry -- Part B - A New Statutory Framework. 5. A new statutory framework for public inquiries; 6. Establishment; 7. Reports and recommendations; 8. Administration and records -- Part C - Funding and Costs of Inquiries. 9. Funding and costs; 10. Minimising costs -- Part D - Inquiry Powers. 11. Powers; 12. Protection from legal liability; 13. National security -- Part E - Conduct of inquiries. 14. Inquiries and courts; 15. Procedures: general aspects; 16. Procedures: specific aspects; 17. Priviliges and public interest immunity; 18. Statutory exemptions from disclosure -- Part F - Offences and Penalties. 19. Offences; 20. Contempt; 21. Penalties, proceedings and costs
Summary
This report represents the culmination of a nine month inquiry by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) into the operation of the provisions of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth), and the question of whether an alternative form or forms of Commonwealth executive inquiry should be established by statute. The Royal Commissions Act was one of 59 statutes enacted by the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. This Inquiry is the first comprehensive review of the Act in its 107 year history
