PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 317
September 1974
ROYAL COMMISSION INTO ALLEGATIONS CONCERNING SOME
AUSTRALIAN MARITIME UNIONS
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, announced today that
the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr, in Executive Council, has
appointed a Royal Commission to inquire into allegations of
demands and payments affecting certain Australian Maritime unions.
Mr Whitlam said the Honourable John Bernard Sweeney,
Judge of the Australian Industrial Court, had been appointed the
Royal Commissioner and would be assisted by counsel.
The Prime Minister said the decision by the Australian
Government to request the appointment of a Royal Commission was
taken early this week after consultations between myself and
the ministers responsible, Mr C. K. Jones and Mr C. R. Cameron.
These consultations began as soon as information that such
demands were being made became available to me.
After consideration by the ministers, the information
was investigated by the relevant departments the Department of
Transport and the Department of Labor and Immigration, in
consultation with the Attorney-General's Department. It was
decided that the circumstances fully warranted the appointment
of a member of the Australian judiciary as a Royal commission to
investigate the matters.
The Australian Government agrees with the declared
policy of the Australian Council of Trade Unions in condemning the
demands and payments allegedly made. The Government is gravely
concerned by the public declaration by an official of one of the
unions alleged to be involved that the A. C. T. U. decision would be
defied. The Royal Commission will have wide powers to summon
witnesses and documents.
The terms of reference for the Royal Commission are:
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i. To enquire into and report on:
whether any payments ( other than those of a normal
commercial nature or made pursuant to any law or
industrial award or agreement) have in recent times
been or are being made or demanded in respect of the
use of ships in voyages to or from Australia, or
within the Australian coasting trade under permit or
licence under the Navigation Act 1912.
the circumstances under which and the persons
( including corporate bodies) by whom and to whom
any such payments or demands have been made.
the reasons for and the purpose of. any such payments
or demands.
the subsequent or proposed use of or disposal of any
such payments.
the legality of any such payments and demands and
their propriety having regard in particular to
Australian trade union principles and ethics.
2. To recommend in the light of the Commission's findings:
what action, if any, should be taken in respect of
such payments.
what legislative or administrative changes are
necessary or desirable in relation to these matters.
It is expected that the first hearings of the
Commission will be held at an early date.
CANBERRA. A. C. T