Equine Influenza Inquiry
Callinan Inquiry · Commission of inquiry into the equine influenza outbreak · Equine Influenza Inquiry (set up under section 66AZE of the Quarantine Act 1908 (Cth))
25 September 2007 – 12 June 2008
Commission of inquiry conducted by Ian Callinan into the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia, its escape from quarantine and the quarantine arrangements for imported horses. It was not a royal commission, but is listed with them by the Parliamentary Library.
How it came into existence
Announced by Prime Minister John Howard on 2 September 2007, a week after the outbreak was confirmed in Sydney. It was not appointed by Letters Patent: the Quarantine Amendment (Commission of Inquiry) Act 2007 (assented 24 September 2007) inserted a part into the Quarantine Act 1908 letting the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry appoint a Commissioner by written instrument to inquire into the outbreak, and applying most of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 to the inquiry as if it were a royal commission. The Hon Ian Callinan AC, recently retired from the High Court, was appointed Commissioner in September 2007 to inquire into how the virus entered Australia and escaped from the Eastern Creek quarantine station, and into the management of horse quarantine. The Parliamentary Handbook dates the appointment 25 September 2007.
Legislation: Quarantine Act 1908 (as amended by the Quarantine Amendment (Commission of Inquiry) Act 2007)
How it ended
The report was released by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, on 12 June 2008 (the date it was delivered has not been confirmed). It found that the virus most likely came in with horses imported from Japan and escaped from Eastern Creek on a contaminated person or equipment, and criticised the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service; the government accepted all 38 recommendations, and Peter Shergold oversaw their implementation.
Main functions
- Inquiry into the entry and spread of equine influenza in 2007
- Review of quarantine arrangements for imported horses
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.