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 JAMES HENRY MUIRHEAD

GREETING:

WHEREAS by Letters Patent issued in Our name by Our Administrator of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia on 16 October 1987 We appointed you to be a Commissioner to inquire into and report upon the deaths in Australia since 1 January 1980 of Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders whilst in police custody, in prison or in any other place of detention and into certain matters relating thereto:

AND WHEREAS it is desirable that you be authorised to conduct your inquiry in combination not only with any other inquiry referred to in those Letters Patent but, in addition, with any inquiry into the same or related matters that you are directed or authorised to make by any Commission issued, or pursuant to any order or appointment made, under the law of the Northern Territory of Australia:

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 pursuant to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, the Royal Commissions Act 1902 and every other enabling power, hereby vary the Letters Patent issued on 16 October 1987 so as to authorise you to conduct your inquiry into any matters under those Letters Patent in combination not only with any other inquiry referred to in those Letters Patent but, in addition, with any inquiry into the same or related matters that you are directed or authorised to make by any Commission issued, or pursuant to any order or appointment made, under the Law of the Northern Territory of Australia.

WITNESS His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Ninian Martin Stephen, a member of Her Majesty’s Most Honourable Privy Council, Knight of the Order of Australia, Knight Grand Cross of The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Knight Grand Cross of The Royal Victorian Order, knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and the Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Dated this 21 day of December 1987

Governor-General

By His Excellency’s Command,

Prime Minister