I am finding it a bit confusing. I have heard of royal commissions and also commissions of inquiry. My friend says they are the same thing. If they are the same thing why are some called ‘royal’ commissions?
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Answer by Kate Dodgson, Brisbane 4000 QLD
- There are royal commissions and commissions of inquiry. Both these names describe a similar investigation into a matter of public interest.
- The name that is used usually depends on who and how it has been set up.
- Generally a royal commission will deal with more complex and serious issues.
- This type of commission has broader powers than other commissions.
- The word royal comes from the royal prerogative (inherent right) of the Queen to set up an inquiry. In Australia this power to set up a commission is given to the Governor General who represents the Queen.
- In 2009 the Australian Law Reform Commission decided that the word royal should still be used as it gives the commission an important sense of status and independence.
- The law will set out the circumstances when a particular name should be used.