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 GORDON JACOB SAMUELS AC QC
GREETING:
WHEREAS it is desired to have an inquiry into matters relating to the Australian Secret Intelligence Service:
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 in pursuance of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and other enabling powers, appoint you to be a Commissioner to inquire into:
(a) the effectiveness and suitability of existing arrangements for:
(i) the control and accountability of the Service;
(ii) the organisation and management of the Service;
(iii) the protection of the Service’s intelligence sources and methods;
(iv) the resolution of grievances and complaints relating to the Service; and
(b) whether any changes in existing arrangements are required or are desirable:
AND We direct you to produce with Michael Henry Codd AC a single report of the results of your inquiries and his inquiries under the relevant Commission:
AND We further direct you to consult with Michael Henry Codd with regard to the methods and procedures to be followed in relation to his and your inquiries and concerning the content and preparation of that report:
AND We authorise you in the conduct of your inquiry to have regard to any information, evidence, document or thing communicated or furnished to you by Michael Henry Codd under the relevant Commission:
AND We declare that in these Our Letters Patent, the expression “relevant Commission” means the Commission of inquiry issued this day by Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia by Letters Patent to Michael Henry Codd:
AND We require you as expeditiously as practicable to make your inquiry and, not later than 31 December 1994, to furnish to Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia the report of the results of the inquiries and such recommendations as you consider appropriate.
WITNESS the Honourable William George Hayden, Companion of the Order of Australia, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia on 15 March 1994.
Governor-General
By His Excellency’s Command
Minister for Foreign Affairs
for the Prime Minister