Royal Commission to seek submissions

The Royal Commission tasked with investigating the lead-up to the Christchurch mosque attacks, including the performance of relevant government agencies, will soon seek written submissions.

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Attack on Christchurch Mosques on 15 March 2019 is completing its initial phase and is currently considering evidence. It has a deadline of 10 December to report back to Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.

Established on 8 April by the Governor-General, the Royal Commission is tasked with investigating events leading up to the attack and the performance of government agencies in relation to those events.

According to the Royal Commission’s website, “the purpose is to reassure the New Zealand public, including all Muslim communities, that all reasonable measures are being taken by State sector agencies to ensure their safety and protection.”

Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.

The Royal Commission is required to examine:

• What relevant state sector agencies knew prior to 15 March 2019, about the activities of the attacker;

• What actions (if any) relevant state sector agencies took in light of that knowledge;

• Whether there were any additional measures that relevant state sector agencies could have taken to prevent the attack; and

• What additional measures should be taken by relevant state sector agencies to prevent such attacks in the future.

To investigate the above, the Royal Commission must also look into the individual’s activities before the attack, including:

• relevant information from his time in Australia

• his arrival and residence in New Zealand

• his travel within New Zealand, and internationally

• how he obtained a gun licence, weapons, and ammunition

• his use of social media and other online media

• his connections with others, whether in New Zealand or internationally.

As part of its inquiry into the actions of government agencies, the Royal Commission will consider whether there were any impediments to relevant state sector agencies gathering or sharing information relevant to the attack, or acting upon such information, including legislative impediments, and whether there was any inappropriate concentration or priority setting of counter-terrorism resources by relevant state sector agencies prior to the attack.

“We have already met with relevant State sector organisations and other individuals; now we are considering evidence in detail,” stated Supreme Court Justice Hon Sir William Young KNZM, chair of the Royal Commission. Initial meetings have also been scheduled with Muslim communities and plans to establish a Muslim Community Reference Group are underway.

“New Zealanders, including Muslim communities, rightly expect assurances State sector agencies are doing all they should, to ensure the public’s safety and protection,” said Sir William.

A minute issued on 13 May outlines the procedures for gathering information and evidence, and the provision for inquiries to be conducted in private. Apart from various meetings, formal interviews and the establishment of a Muslim Community Reference Group, the Royal Commission will also seek written submissions and potentially conduct public forums.

According to the minute, the Royal Commission will, in due course, accept written submissions. It will advise when the written submission process is open, and the timeframe for lodging submissions. A facility will be provided for information to be supplied to the Royal Commission on a confidential basis.

It further explained that the Royal Commission is currently considering whether part of its process for gathering information may include one or more public forums at which the views and experiences of the public will be sought and considered by it.

Any further updates will be made on the website: www.christchurchattack. royalcommission.nz.

Interested parties can contact the Royal Commission team by email at: info@christchurchattack. royalcommission.nz; or by post at: Royal Commission of Inquiry (Christchurch), PO Box 680, Wellington.