Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia

'While there have been many different studies on public inquiries, Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date overview of public inquiries in Australia. It is based on rigorous and in-depth analysis spanning several decades, and has required patient and painstaking work in defining and identifying different federal public inquiries and monitoring their performance over the last 100 years. Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia will be of interest to all who seek to better understand the particular role of public inquiries and what their continued appointment tells us about trends in Australian government generally.'

From the Foreword by Professor John Wanna, The Sir John Bunting Professor of Public Administration, Australian National University

Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia provides the first comprehensive overview of the extent, use and impact of Commonwealth public inquiries appointed since 1901. Specifically, this new book:

* defines 'public inquiries,' and delineates them from other advisory bodies;
* details trends in public inquiry numbers since Federation and compares these to overseas jurisdictions;
* classifies the different types and forms of public inquiries;
* explains public inquiry procedures, powers and associated legislation;
* analyses why public inquiries are appointed and their roles in the political system;
* assesses their impact on public policy; and,
* explores the continuing and future roles of public inquiries.

Covering public inquiries appointed by the Commonwealth government since Federation, particular attention is given to those public inquiries appointed during the last thirty years, when inquiry numbers increased markedly. References to numerous inquiries throughout the book are supplemented by detailed case studies of key public inquiries, including royal commissions and appointed by different governments.

This authoritative book has been written by an expert in the field. Lecturer Dr Scott Prasser has worked in federal and state governments in senior policy and research advisory positions.

Royal Commissions and Public Inquiries in Australia will be a valuable reference for those interested in a widely used, but often neglected, advisory instrument of modern government that continues to influence many areas of public policy.