Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Australian Law Reform Commission Releases Discussion Paper on Royal Commissions

The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) yesterday released a discussion paper on Royal Commissions and Official Inquiries.

The ALRC is reviewing the operation of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth), the first real examination of the legislation in its 107 year history.

The ALRC is recommending ways to ensure that official inquiries have adequate investigatory powers while at the same time ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals concerned. This would put what are now simply 'ad hoc inquiries' on the same solid footing as more formal Royal Commissions.

It also wants the government to follow-up in response to inquiry reports. For example, one proposal would have the government make inquiry reports public by tabling them in Parliament and publish updates on the implementation of inquiry recommendations.

The ALRC is seeking public feedback ahead of its final report and recommendations to be delivered to the Australian Government in October.

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posted by Michel-Adrien at 7:24 pm

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