Royal Commission facts for kids
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A Royal Commission is a special investigation set up by a government. It looks into very important issues that affect a country. These commissions are used in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In other places, like Hong Kong or South Africa, they might be called a "Commission of Enquiry."
Contents
What is a Royal Commission?
A Royal Commission is a big, official study. It helps the government understand a problem better. They are usually set up for serious matters. These matters often involve public concern or big questions about how things work.
Why are they important?
Royal Commissions look into important and sometimes tricky topics. For example, they might study how a government works. They could also look at how different groups of people are treated. Sometimes, they investigate big events that worry the public. They can also explore important economic questions.
A Royal Commission has special powers. These powers help them find out the truth. They can ask people to give evidence. They can also look at important documents. This helps them get all the facts needed for their report.
Who are the Commissioners?
Royal Commissions are usually led by well-known people. Often, these leaders are retired senior judges. This is because judges have a lot of experience. They know how to gather facts fairly. They also understand legal powers.
These leaders are called Royal Commissioners. They have strong powers to get information. However, their powers are limited. They can only investigate what the government asks them to. This is called their "Terms of Reference."
How a Commission Starts
A Royal Commission is created by the Head of State. This is usually the King or Queen, or their representative. They act on the advice of the government. Once a commission starts, the government usually cannot stop it. Because of this, governments are careful. They set clear rules for what the commission can investigate. They also often set a date for when it must finish.
How a Commission Works
Royal Commissions do a lot of research. They talk to experts from many fields. They also listen to people outside the government. They can call witnesses to speak under oath. This means witnesses promise to tell the truth. They can also ask for documents and other evidence. Sometimes, they hold private meetings to get sensitive information. All government officials must help the commission.
What Happens Next?
After their work, Royal Commissions publish their findings. These are often very long reports. The reports include what they found out. They also give ideas on how to fix problems. These ideas are called "policy recommendations."
Sometimes, these reports have very long names. So, people often just call them by the name of the main Commissioner. For example, "The Smith Commission." Many times, the government uses these recommendations. They might even turn them into new laws. However, sometimes the government might not use the recommendations.
