The Royal Commission into Drug Trafficking (1977–1979) or Woodward Royal Commission was a royal commission initiated by the New South Wales Government to investigate drug trafficking in New South Wales, Australia, especially links between the Mafia and New South Wales Police and the disappearance of anti-marijuana campaigner Donald Mackay.
The Commission was a penetrating investigation of organised crime, revealing for the first time the power and influence of the Calabrian mafia in Australia. According to a book published in 2009 co-authored by former NSW Police Assistant Commissioner, Clive Small:
"Woodward’s report was the first to publicly identify members of the Calabrian mafia in Australia and the first to expose the scale of its drug-dealing. Woodward gave every justification for the government to crack down on the Calabrians but it didn’t happen. And it still hasn’t happened. Only the drugs have changed."Commission term, proceedings, recommendations and report
The Royal Commission was originally appointed for a period of six months. The term was subsequently extended twice and the final report of the Commission was submitted to the Governor on 31 October 1979. The Commissioner's terms of reference were restricted to the legal aspects of drug trafficking rather than medical or social aspects.
Hearings commenced on 10 August 1977 and the Commissioner conducted public hearings on 175 days and in camera hearings on 146 days. Evidence was given by 565 witnesses and 1000 summonses were issued for the production of documents or the attendance of witnesses. The Commissioner gathered information in North America and other overseas countries in 1978.
The Royal Commissioner studied, examined and reported upon the following drugs - cannabis; narcotics; heroin; amphetamines, cocaine and hallucinogens. For each drug he reported upon the nature, history, use, reported seizures, and the nature of the trade. In addition the Commissioner studied seizures which had occurred in various places in the State including The Riverina, Colleambally, Euston, Wollongong, Sutherland and St George and Byron Bay, and the operation of known importers and distributors. The Commissioner reported on the treatment of drug offenders and the current statutory provision for dealing with drug offenses.
The report of the Commission concluded with a total of 89 recommendations in the general areas of statutory, legal administration and law enforcement reform, identification of drug users, promotion of programs to discourage drug use, information sharing amongst various agencies concerned with drug trade (health, drug regulation, communications and law enforcement); co-operation with other Australian jurisdictions, other countries and international agencies in obtaining information about and dealing with the drug problem; and improved treatment of drug addicts.
The Royal Commission concluded on 31 October when the report was handed to the Governor in the Premier's Office.