Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2004Q00993:body:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2004Q00993
Segment Type: other
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Character Range: 6–3001

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 McCLELLAND
         JILL FITCH
         WILLIAM JAMES ALBERT JONAS

      GREETING:

      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 in pursuance of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and every other enabling power, appoint you to be Commissioners to inquire, in relation to the British nuclear tests (hereinafter referred to as "the tests") that were conducted in Australia during the period of twelve years commencing on 1 January 1952, into the following matters, namely -

          (a) the measures that were taken before and at the time of the tests, and have since been taken, for the purpose of protecting persons in and about Australia and the External Territories against exposure to the harmful effects of ionising radiation and against contact with radioactive substances and other toxic materials used in or produced by the tests;

          (b) whether the measures so taken were adequate for that purpose, having regard to the measures considered appropriate for the protection of health and the standards applicable, at the time of the tests as well as at the present time: and

          (c) whether the health of persons in and about Australia and the External Territories was or has been adversely affected by reason of exposure to the harmful effects of ionising radiation or contact with radioactive substances or other toxic materials used in or produced by the tests:

      AND, without restricting the scope of your inquiry or in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, We direct you -

          (d) to inquire particularly into the following matters, namely:

             (i) the management and conduct of the tests including the criteria for safe firing of the tests;

             (ii) the arrangements made both at the time of the tests and afterwards to exclude unauthorized persons from areas that in relation to the tests were prohibited areas or restricted areas for the purposes of the Defence (Special Undertakings) Act 1952 or otherwise;

             (iii) radiological and other health physics standards and practices associated with the tests;

             (iv) atmospheric atomic fallout monitoring arrangements associated with the tests;

             (v) the disposal within Australia of buildings, equipment and materials that were at the test sites;

             (vi) the measures taken, both at the time of the tests and afterwards, to manage the test sites and

          (e) in conducting your inquiry to have particular regard to the following persons, namely, members of the Australian Defence Force and civilians at the test sites, Royal Australian