Commission of Inquiry into Compensation Arising from Social Security Conspiracy Prosecutions
Mitchell Commission of Inquiry · Greek conspiracy case compensation inquiry · Commission of inquiry into compensation arising from social security conspiracy prosecutions
9 February 1984 – 10 June 1986
Commission of inquiry under the Royal Commissions Act by Dame Roma Mitchell to determine what compensation the Commonwealth should pay to people prosecuted in the 1978 "Greek conspiracy" social security fraud case.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent of 9 February 1984, issued on the advice of the Hawke government, appointing Dame Roma Flinders Mitchell to inquire whether the people named in a schedule, most of them Greek-born pensioners and doctors arrested in Commonwealth Police raids from April 1978 and charged with conspiring to defraud the Commonwealth, claimed compensation and, if so, how much should be offered in full settlement. She was to assume a lack of due care in instituting or conducting the prosecutions and to conduct the inquiry informally and quickly.
Legislation: Royal Commissions Act 1902
Changes during its life
- 16 August 1984Letters Patent varied to remove the assumption excluding aggravated damages, to assume no malice, and to bar recommendations of exemplary damages.
How it ended
Reported in 1986 (exact date not found). Compensation was paid to those prosecuted, and most cancelled pensions and benefits were restored with arrears. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 10 June 1986 as the date the final report was presented.
Main functions
- Assessment of compensation claims by people prosecuted in the social security conspiracy case
- Recommendations on the amount of compensation to be offered
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
- Royal Commissions Regulations 2019, Schedule 1 (Federal Register of Legislation)
- Federal Register of Legislation: Appointment of Commissioner for the commission to conduct an inquiry to determine appropriate compensation to be paid to former defendants in the Social Security Conspiracy case (9 February 1984)
- Federal Register of Legislation: Variation of 16 August 1984
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are uncertain. Corrections are welcome.