Royal Commission into Exploratory and Production Drilling for Petroleum in the Area of the Great Barrier Reef

Appointed on 5 May 1970 by identical commissions from the Commonwealth and Queensland, acting as one body, after a public campaign against oil drilling leases on the reef and the grounding of an oil tanker in the Torres Strait in March 1970. The commissioners were Sir Gordon Wallace (chairman), Dr J. E. Smith of Plymouth, England, and V. J. Moroney of Calgary, Canada. They inquired into the risks of drilling and the effects of any leak, the areas, if any, where drilling could be allowed and on what conditions, and the probable benefits.

1. 22 May 1970First sitting.
2. 22 November 1974Summary of the report released in a joint statement by the Prime Minister and the Premier of Queensland.

Its report was presented to the Governor-General and the Governor of Queensland on 1 November 1974, and a summary was released by the Prime Minister and the Premier on 22 November 1974. All commissioners agreed that drilling should not be permitted on any cay, island or reef or in a declared national or marine park; two thought it could be allowed elsewhere with safeguards, while the chairman dissented and favoured postponing drilling. No petroleum drilling was subsequently allowed on the reef.

• Risks of petroleum drilling on the Great Barrier Reef and effects of oil leaks
• Areas where drilling might be permitted and conditions to apply
• Probable benefits of drilling

Loading lineage…