Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia

Appointed by Letters Patent of 16 July 1984, issued by Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen on the advice of the Hawke government, after public concern about the health of former test personnel and Aboriginal communities. The commissioners were James McClelland (president), Jill Fitch and William James Albert Jonas. They were to inquire into the protective measures taken before, during and after the tests at Monte Bello, Emu Field and Maralinga, whether those measures were adequate, and whether health had been affected, with particular regard to service personnel, civilians and Aboriginal people near the test sites.

Legislation: Royal Commissions Act 1902

1. 27 June 1985Reporting date extended from 30 June 1985 to 30 September 1985.
2. 9 August 1985Reporting date extended to 20 November 1985.

Reported on 20 November 1985. It found that safety arrangements had often been inadequate, particularly for Aboriginal people, and recommended that the United Kingdom bear the cost of cleaning up the test sites and that affected people be compensated; the Maralinga site was later rehabilitated.

• Inquiry into radiation safety measures at the British nuclear tests
• Inquiry into health effects on test personnel and Aboriginal people
• Inquiry into the management and clean-up of the test sites

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