Royal Commission on Cockatoo Island Dockyard
Royal Commission on Cockatoo and Garden Island Naval Establishments · Cockatoo Island Royal Commission
25 April 1921 – 14 July 1921
A commission of members of Parliament that inquired into the administration of the Commonwealth naval dockyard at Cockatoo Island, Sydney, and the Garden Island naval establishment, after mass dismissals of dockyard workers in 1921.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent dated 25 April 1921 by the Hughes government, after the dismissal of workmen from Cockatoo Island dockyard and allegations about its management were debated in the House in April 1921. Its members were William Mahony, Charles Marr, Walter Marks, William McWilliams and T. J. Ryan of the House of Representatives and Senators Matthew Reid and Reginald Wilson.
Changes during its life
- 9 June 1921Interim report tabled, recommending that the new Board of Control complete the cruiser Adelaide and the vessel Mombah as soon as possible.
- 14 July 1921Minority report by W. J. McWilliams tabled.
How it ended
Its report was laid before Parliament on 13 July 1921 and a minority report by W. J. McWilliams on 14 July 1921, ending the commission. In the meantime the government had placed shipbuilding at the dockyard under a Shipbuilding Board of Control chaired by R. Farquhar.
Main functions
- Administration and costs of Cockatoo Island dockyard
- Naval shipbuilding, including the cruiser Adelaide
- Management of the Garden Island naval establishment
Lineage
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Sources
Primary sources
Government records and websites
- Parliamentary Handbook: Royal Commissions (dates of Letters Patent and final reports)
- Final report (ParlInfo)
- Historic Hansard: House of Representatives, 9 June 1921 (interim report tabled)
- Historic Hansard: Senate, 13 July 1921 (report tabled)
- Historic Hansard: House of Representatives, 14 July 1921 (minority report tabled)
- Historic Hansard: House of Representatives, 30 August 1922 (return of commissioners and costs)