Commission of inquiry into deaths of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in custody - 16/10/1987 (Variation) (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, QC

GREETING:

WHEREAS by Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on 16 October 1987 We appointed you to be a Commissioner to inquire into and report upon the deaths in Australia since 1 January 1980 of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders whilst in police custody, in prison or in any other place of detention and into certain matters relating thereto:

AND WHEREAS those Letters Patent were varied by Letters Patent issued by Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 21 December 1987:

AND WHEREAS it is desirable that those Letters Patent be further varied:

NOW THEREFORE We do, by these Our Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Governor-General 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, declare that the Letters Patent issued on 16 October 1987 (as varied by the Letters Patent issued on 21 December 1987) shall have effect as if:

(a) for subparagraph (a) in the initial paragraph there were substituted the following subparagraph:

"(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, but not including such a death occurring in a hospital, mental institution, infirmary or medical treatment centre unless injuries suffered while in police custody, in prison or in any place of detention caused or contributed to that death;" and