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 Albert Edward Woodward, O.B.E.

GREETING:

WE DO by theses 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, for the purpose of the exercise and performance of the powers and functions of the Parliament and Government of the Commonwealth, into the following matters, namely -

(a) whether administrative arrangements and procedures for the supervision of the handling of meat for export are adequate to ensure that all meat exported from Australia meets the requirements prescribed by law;

(b) whether malpractices are occurring, or have occurred, in the handling of meat for export or the exportation of meat;

(c) allegations made, whether in public or to a Minister, department or authority of the Commonwealth, of malpractices alleged to have occurred during the past ten years, in the handling of meat for export or in the exportation of meat;

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

(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 these Our Letters Patent, you are authorized, 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 further declare that if Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia so approves, you may conduct your inquiry into any matter under these Our Letters Patent in combination with any inquiry into the same or related matters that you are directed or authorized to make by any Commission issued, or in pursuance of any order or appointment made, by any of Our Governors of the States:

AND We require you as expeditiously as possible to make your inquiry and -

(f) if you consider it appropriate to do so, to furnish to Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia an interim report or interim reports of the results of your inquiry; and

(g) not later than 1 September 1982 or such later date as We may be pleased to fix, to furnish to Our Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia a report of the results of your inquiry and your recommendations.

WITNESS His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir Zelman Cowen, 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 of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, one of Her Majesty’s Counsel learned in the law, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Force.

Dated this twelfth day of September 1981.

Governor-General