Appointment of Commissioner for the commission of inquiry into deaths of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in custody (Cth)

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

ELIZABETH THE SECOND, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth:

TO:

THE HONOURABLE JAMES HENRY MUIRHEAD

GREETING:

WE DO by these Our Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on the advice of the Federal Executive Council and pursuant to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and every other enabling power, appoint you to be a Commissioner to inquire into -

(a) the deaths in Australia since 1 January 1980 of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders (including any such death that may occur after the date of these Our Letters Patent) whilst in police custody, in prison or in any other place of detention; and

(b) any subsequent action taken in respect of each of those deaths including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the conduct of coronial, police and other inquiries and any other things that were not done but ought to have been done:

AND We declare that you are authorised to conduct your inquiry into any matters under these Our Letters Patent in combination with any inquiry into the same or related matters that you are directed or authorised to make by any Commission issued, or pursuant to any order or appointment made, by any of Our Governors of the States:

AND We require you as expeditiously as practicable to make your inquiry and, not later than 31 December 1988 or such later date as We may be pleased to fix, to furnish to Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia a report of the findings of your inquiry and to make such recommendations as you consider appropriate in the light of your findings.