The Royal Commission into British Nuclear Tests in Australia During the 1950s and 1960s was set up by Letters Patent, which were formally approved and notified in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No S283, 24 July 1984. The Commission was to focus on:
 
. measures that were taken for the protection of persons against the 
  harmful effects of ionising radiation, and the disposal of
  radioactive substances and toxic materials as judged against
  standards applicable at the time, and with standards of today;
 
. the Commission was also to determine whether the health of persons
  in and about Australia and the External Territories, was or had
  been adversely affected, by reason of exposure to the harmful
  effects of ionising radiation or contact with radioactive
  substances; and  

. the Commission was directed to look at the management and conduct
  of the tests, including the criteria for safe firing of the tests.
  The disposal of buildings, equipment and materials that were at the
  test sites was another area the Commission was to look into. The
  Commission was to have particular regard to members of the
  Australian Defence Force and civilians in the vicinity of the
  tests.
 
In making their judgements the Commissioners was called upon to consider various documents and reports, these were:
 
. the reports of the Australian Ionising Radiation Advisory Council, 
  known as No 2 of 1975, Nos 4 and 5 of 1979, No 7 of 1980 and No 9
  of 1983;
. the report entitled "Health of Atomic Test Personnel", prepared by 
  the Department of Health;  Final Report on Residual Radioactive
  Contamination of the Maralinga Range and the Emu Site by N Pearce
  (Atomic Weapons Research  Establishment Report (No 0-16/68);

. Report of the Expert Committee on the Review of Data on Atmospheric
  Fallout Arising From British Nuclear Tests in Australia, made to
  the Minister for Resources and Energy in May 1984; and

. British Atomic Tests in Australia Chronology of Events 1950-1968 by
  Dr J L Symonds.
 
The Honourable James McClelland was appointed as the President of the Commission and his Commissioners were Ms Jill Fitch and Mr William James Albert Jonas.
 
The Commission presented its Report to Parliament on 5 December 1985. It recommended that all costs involved in cleaning up Maralinga, Emu and the Monte Bello Islands should be borne by the UK Government.
 
The report further recommended that:
 
. the benefits of the Compensation Act be extended to include  
  civilians and Aborigines, as well as Armed Forces personnel who  
  might have been exposed to the "Black Mist";

. a National Register of Nuclear Veterans, Aborigines and Others  
  exposed be compiled to more easily meet the provisions of the  
  Compensation Act;

. action be commenced immediately, effecting a clean up of Maralinga 
  and Emu to the satisfaction of the Australian Government, to the  
  point where the areas become fit for habitation by their
  traditional  Aboriginal owners;

. a Maralinga Commission comprising representatives of the
  traditional owners, the UK, Australian and South Australian
  Governments to organise and co-ordinate the clean-up;

. the areas of the Monte Bello Islands still affected by high
  radiation levels be immediately and suitably signposted until safe
  for permanent occupation; and

. the Australian Government compensate, in the form of technology  
  and services, those people and their dependants who have
  traditional interests in sites at the former Maralinga prohibited
  area for loss of employment and use of their lands.
 
The Commission formerly ceased to operate when the Final Report was submitted to Parliament on 5 December 1985, however Commission staff remained at the Sydney Offices, Westfield Towers, William Street, finalising administrative details until 24 December 1985.

 
Sources
 
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S 283, 24 July 1985
The Australian Financial Review, 6 December 1985, p 7
Historical agency address
Jul 1984-Sep 1984: 33 Bligh Street, Sydney 
Sep 1984-Jul 1985: Sony Building, Cnr Kent & Druitt Streets, Sydney
Jul 1985-Dec 1985: Level 9 Westfield Towers, 100 William Street,
                   Potts Point NSW
Legislation administered
Commonwealth Letters Patent issued 24 July 1984.