Commissions
Commissions are investigative bodies created by statute with the purpose of investigating matters or issues of public concern and making findings. In Australia, there are commissions which focus on investigating crime, and they have been given significant statutory powers to enable them to do this.
Examples include the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Royal Commissions.
Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) is a criminal intelligence agency that was established in 2016 with the merging of the Australian Crime Commission and CrimTrac. ACIC works with each of the states and territories as well as national and international partners to investigate crime, criminal groups and to gather criminal intelligence and other information to improve Australia’s crime responses. The ACIC deals with criminal syndicates, serious drug-related offending, cybercrime and matters of national and international security.
Royal Commission
A Royal Commission is the highest form of inquiry of public importance and can be initiated by a state or the commonwealth. The purpose of a royal commission is to uphold the peace and order of the country. Such commissions have investigated financial services, child abuse, drug offences, various industries (sugar, powellised timber, fruit, pearl-shelling) and many other issues.
Royal Commissions are held in accordance with the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth).
If you require any information about commissions or any other legal matter please contact Armstrong Legal.
This article was written by Michelle Makela
Michelle has over 15 years experience in the legal industry, working across commercial litigation, criminal law, family law and estate planning. Michelle has been involved in all practice areas of the firm and in her personal practice has had experience in litigation at all levels (State and Federal Industrial Tribunals, the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, Federal...