PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA TUESDAY , JUNE 30 l1981
JOINT' STATEMENT BY THE ACTING PRIME MINISTER
AND THE PREMIERS OF NEW SOUTH WALES, VICTORIA
AND QUEENSLAND
The Commonwealth, New South Wales, Victorian and Queensland
Governments have established a judicial inquiry into the
possible drug trafficking and related activities of
Terrence John Clark and other persons associated with him.
It will be headed by His Honour, Mr Justice Donald Gerard Stewart
of New South Wales Supreme Court, who has been requested to
report no later than 30 June 1982. It is envisaged that the
judicial inquiry may be given supplementary terms of reference
referring to the activities of other drug trafficking -groups
should the occasion arise.
The Victorian Coroner's Report on the deaths of D. R. and
I. M. Wilson found that a criminal group involving Terrence
John Clark ( also known as Alexander James Sinclaire) existed
in Australia. The Coroner stated that a huge drug empire had
grown within Australia under the leadership of Clark involving
many other persons.
The judicial inquiry will be supported by a Commonwealth/ State
multi-discipline task group comprising specially seconded
Federal and State police officers. The task group will be
assisted by lawyers from the Commonwealth and States experienced
in the conduct of prosections and as required by persons
experienced in accounting and banking.
It is considered that the means adopted are the best ones of
ensuring that major drug offenders are identified and
prosecuted and exposing their techniques and methods, which can
then be countered by the authorities.
The Commonwealth's terms of reference are attached.-
The New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian Governments
have issued complementary terms of reference.
JUDICIAL INQUIRY INTO THE POSSIBLE
DRUG TRAFFICKING AND RELATED
ACTIVITIES OF TERRENCE JOHN CLARK
AND OTHER PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH HIM
TERMS OF REFERENCE
To make inquiry into the following matters so far
as they are matters connected with the peace, order
and good government of the Commonwealth and are
relevant to the exercise and performance of the
powers and functions of the Parliament and
Government of the Commonwealth, namelywhether
Terrence John Clark, a
person mentioned in the Finding
made on 29 August
1980 in the Coroner's Court at Melbourne in
respect of the deaths of Douglas Robert Wilson
and Isabel Martha Wilson, engaged in
activities involving contravention of laws of
the Commonwealth, in particular laws relating
to the importation, exportation or possession
of drugs, and, if so
the extent and nature of such
activities of Terrence John Clark and
persons associated with him;
( ii) the identity and involvement ofpeyrsons
associated with Terrence John
Clark;
( iii) the methods of operation of Terrence
John Clark and persons associated., with
him; and.-
( iv) the use made by Terrence John Clark
and persons associated with him of
banking, financial and other
institutions in connection with those
activities;
whether, in the course of, or in connection
with, activities of a kind referred to in
paragraph Terrence John Clark or ' any
person associated with him directly or
indirectly made or offered any payment or
inducement for, or in connection with, or
endeavoured by means of a threat to procure,
* the disclosure by any Commonwealth or State
aofficer, or any person who was forme rly a
Commonwealth or State officer, of informati-on
relating to the activties of Douglas Robert
Wilson, Isabel Martha Wils-on or any other
person; whether, in connection with activities of a
kind referred to in paragraph Terrence
John Clark or any person associated with him
procured or received, directly or indirectly,,
from a Commonwealth or State officer,' or any
person who was formerly a Commonwealth or
State officer, any information ( including
information relating to any stateme'nt mad'e bDy
Douglas Robert Wlilson or Isabel Martha Wilson
concerning the activities of Terrence John
Clark or any person associated with him);
whether Terrence John Clark or any person
associated with him or acting on his behalf in
any Way unlawfully interfered with or
unlawfully attempted to interfere with the
course of justice in relation to offences
against laws of the Commonwealth.