What is a Royal Commission?

With the recent investigations into the Catholic Church, it is important to understand what a Royal Commission is.

A Royal Commission is a formal independent public inquiry initiated by the state or federal government. Royal Commissions will investigate ongoing impropriety, illegal activity or administrative incompetence. These legal proceedings will usually last a year, but they can last longer if a resolution is not reached.

Since federation, there have been 130 Royal Commissions with the Commission into the Catholic Church being the latest. Other Royal Commissions have investigated:

• Bonuses for manufacturers
• The butter, sugar and fruit industries
• Old-age pensions
• The tobacco monopoly
• Ocean shipping service
• Secret drugs, cures and foods
• Postal service
• Insurance
• Wages
• Health
• Film industry
• Coal industry
• Trade unions
• Equine influenza

Royal Commissioners are usually retired judges or those in a similar position. Royal Commissions are designed to discover the truth using every possible legal power.