InBrief

Executive inquiries, such as the Clarke Inquiry into the case of Dr Mohamed Haneef and the AWB Food-for-Oil Inquiry, have become a prominent feature of federal political and legal affairs and an important source of work for the bar. The Australian Law Reform Commission has released a discussion paper on Royal Commissions and Official Inquiries (DP 75). The draft proposals would� put what are now "ad hoc inquiries" on the same legislative footing as royal commissions.

ALRC president, Emeritus Professor David Weisbrot AM, said, "There is a need ... for the Royal Commissions Act to be amended—and renamed the Inquiries Act—to provide a new statutory framework for other official inquiries established by the federal government".

Commissioner in charge of the Inquiry, Prof Les McCrimmon, said that "the proposed new statutory framework would introduce another form of inquiry—called Official Inquiries—with similar advantages and outcomes to Royal Commissions, but offering more flexibility and less formality".

The closing date for submissions addressing proposals regarding the inquiry is 22 September 2009, with the final report due to be completed by 30 October 2009.To register your interest or to make a formal submission, visit the ALRC's web site.

18 August 2009