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 Our Trusty and Well-beloved

THE HONOURABLE ALBERT EDWARD WOODWARD, O.B.E., Q.C.,
a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia

GREETINGS:

WHEREAS the 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 other enabling powers, has appointed you ALBERT EDWARD WOODWARD, O.B.E., Q.C., a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, to be a Commissioner to inquire into, and report upon certain matters relating to the exportation of meat from the Commonwealth of Australia.

AND WHEREAS the Governor of the State of Victoria, in the Commonwealth of Australia, by and with the advice of the Executive Council of the said State, hath deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue to you in the terms set out below.

NOW KNOW YE that WE reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have constituted and appointed and by these presents do constitute and appoint you ALBERT EDWARD WOODWARD, O.B.E., Q.C. a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia, to be Our Commissioner to make inquiry into the following matters, namely -

(a) whether administrative arrangements and procedures for the supervision of the handling of meat for human consumption in Victoria are adequate to ensure that all such meat meets the requirement prescribed by law;

(b) whether malpractices are occurring, or have occurred, in the handling of meat for human consumption in Victoria;

(c) allegations made whether in public or to a Minister, Department or Authority of the State, of malpractices alleged to have occurred since the coming into operation of the Abattoir and Meat Inspection Act 1973 in the handling of meat for human consumption in Victoria;

(d) whether such allegations were dealt with in a manner that was adequate and effective; and

(e) whether in response to such allegations, any illegality or corruption occurred.

AND We direct you to make such recommendations arising out of your inquiry as you think appropriate, including recommendations regarding the legislative or administrative changes, if any, that are necessary or desirable.

AND WE declare that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Our Commission, you are authorised, at your discretion, to defer your inquiry into any matter that is the subject of a police investigation or of criminal proceedings in a court.

AND WE declare that you are authorised to conduct your inquiry into the matters mentioned aforesaid under this Our Commission in combination with any inquiry into the matters that you are directed or authorised to make by any Commission or Commissions issued, or in pursuance of any Order or appointment made, by the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia or the Governor of any State of the Commonwealth of Australia.

AND WE do by these presents give and grant you full power and authority to call before you such person or persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.

AND WE will and command that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue and that you shall and may from time to time and at any place or places proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter or thing therein contained although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment.

AND WE direct you as expeditiously as possible to make your inquiry and -

if you consider it appropriate to do so, to furnish US an interim report or interim reports of the results of your inquiry; and

not later than 1 September, 1982 or such later date as WE may be pleased to fix, to furnish US a report of the results of your inquiry and your recommendations.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF WE have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent and the Seal of State to be hereunto affixed.

WITNESS His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Henry Winneke, Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Saint John of Jerusalem, one of Her Majesty’s Counsel Learned in the Law, Governor of the State of Victoria and its Dependencies in the Commonwealth of Australia, etc. etc. etc. at Melbourne this 15th day of September One thousand nine hundred and eighty-one in the thirtieth year of Our Reign.

Henry Winneke