Workshops
At hearings in the form of workshops the Royal Commission heard from a panel of witnesses identified as having relevant evidence and expertise to share. Workshops provided a space for discussions between witnesses, Counsel Assisting and the Commissioners as they tested propositions and ideas in preparation for the final report. People that were expected to appear as witnesses were contacted by the Royal Commission in advance of the relevant workshop.
The Royal Commission published details of workshops on this page to assist witnesses, participants, the public and media. Visit this page for more information for witnesses.
Workshop details
Royal Commission workshops were open to the public, although seating was very limited. It was advised that the public and media observed workshops online through a live streamed service, which can now be viewed on the Royal Commission's YouTube channel.
Previous workshops
- Adelaide Workshop 2 - 16 and 17 March 2020
- Adelaide Workshop 1 - 10 to 12 February 2020
Workshop FAQs
Why did the Royal Commission hold workshops?
The Royal Commission held hearings in the form of workshops to gather evidence in a less formal setting than the public hearings held in 2019. Workshops were used to test propositions and ideas with panels of witnesses focussed on a specific issue or topic.
Were workshops public?
Yes, workshops were public.
What happened at workshops?
Group discussions between panels of individuals were facilitated by Counsel Assisting and presided over by the Commissioners. Individual participants were not examined in the same way as in ordinary hearings, but were questioned where useful to test propositions or to expand on views expressed.
What was the difference between a workshop and a public hearing?
Workshops were hearings of the Royal Commission and the provisions of the Royal Commissions Act 1902 (Cth) and the Royal Commissions Regulations 2019 (Cth) relevant to hearings and witnesses apply to workshops.
Workshops are less formal than the public hearings. They were not conducted in a hearing room setting. Unlike public hearings, witnesses did not prepare witness statements.
What is the difference between a workshop and a roundtable?
Workshops were more formal and structured than roundtables, which were largely discussions between the Commissioners, stakeholders and academics.
Counsel Assisting facilitated dialogue between workshop participants. Unlike roundtables, participants in workshops were witnesses and the information they provided was evidence.
Unlike roundtables, workshops were conducted publicly. They were live-streamed and the transcripts were published on the Royal Commission’s website.
How many people are on each workshop panel?
Panel sizes varied. Panels were convened with as few as two or three and as many as nine individuals.
How were workshop participants selected?
Workshop participants were selected based on a range of factors, including their:
- submissions to the Royal Commission
- responses to consultation papers
- experience or expertise
- past engagement with the Royal Commission.
Is the list of participants in a workshop publicly available?
Yes, the Royal Commission published the details of workshops, including participants, in advance of each workshop.
Is there a transcript?
Yes, workshops are transcribed and the transcript is published on the Royal Commission’s website.
Are workshops video recorded?
Yes, workshops are live-streamed on the Royal Commission’s website and the video is made publicly available on the Royal Commission's YouTube channel.
Are there tender bundles?
Yes, strictly limited to documents that were referred to by Counsel Assisting at the workshop.