Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:C2004Q00988:body:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:C2004Q00988
Segment Type: other
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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:

         PATRICK LIONEL DODSON

      GREETING:

      WE DO by these Our Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on the advice on 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 with effect on and from 1 July 1989 to be a Commissioner to inquire into any underlying issues associated with deaths of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in the State of Western Australia in all cases where such deaths occurred during the period that commenced on 1 January 1980 and ended at the expiration of 31 May 1989 whilst in police custody, in prison or in any other place of detention other than such deaths occurring in a hospital, mental institution, infirmary or medical treatment centre unless injuries suffered while in police custody, in prison or in any other place of detention caused or contributed to them:

      AND We declare that, for the purpose of reporting on any underlying issues associated with those deaths, you are authorised to take account of social, cultural and legal factors which, in your judgement, appear to have a bearing on those deaths:

      AND We direct you:

          (a) to consult generally with the Honourable Elliott Frank Johnston with regard to the methods and procedures to be followed in relation to his and your inquiries; and;

          (b) to conform with any guidelines issued or recommendations made by the Honourable Elliott Frank Johnston under the relevant Commission in relation to those methods and procedures;

      for the purposes of establishing a uniform approach in relation to those inquiries:

      AND We further direct you, when so requested by the Honourable Elliott Frank Johnston under the relevant Commission, whether before or after the submission of your report but not later than 31 December 1990, to report or reports and recommendations under that Commission:

      AND We authorise you to have regard, in relation to the preparation of your report, to any reports of the Honourable James Henry Muirhead relating to deaths of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders in the State of Western Australia:

      AND, where a relevant Commissioner has inquired, or inquires, under the Commissioner's Commission of inquiry into a death in the State of Western Australia:

          (c) We further authorise you to have regard to any report of that Commissioner relating to that death; and

          (d) We further direct you to consult with that Commissioner;

      in relation to the preparation of your report:

      AND We further declare that you are further authorised