Royal Commission on Federal Capital Administration
Blacket Royal Commission
14 June 1916 – 14 June 1917
Wilfred Blacket KC inquired into the administration of the building of the federal capital at Canberra, including the treatment of its designer Walter Burley Griffin.
How it came into existence
Appointed by Letters Patent dated 14 June 1916 by the Hughes government, with Wilfred Blacket KC as sole commissioner, to inquire into the administration of the Federal Capital and its public works, including the issues between Walter Burley Griffin and departmental officers.
Changes during its life
- 15 March 1917Report Part I (issues relating to Mr Griffin) laid before Parliament; its secretary was dismissed for giving it to the press beforehand.
How it ended
The final parts of its report, on accounts and finance, wasteful expenditure, sewerage, the brickworks, and water supply and power at Canberra, were presented to Parliament on 14 June 1917, ending the commission. Part I, on issues relating to Griffin, was critical of departmental officers who had obstructed him.
Main functions
- Issues relating to Walter Burley Griffin and the federal capital design
- Accounts, finance and expenditure at Canberra
- Sewerage, brickworks, water supply and power works at Canberra
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