The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry are contained in the following Resolution of the Legislative Council, passed on 19 June 1996:
That the Special Report of Estimates Committee No.1, on a possible contempt of the Committee, be referred to the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics for inquiry and report.
(Minutes No. 23, Wednesday 19 June 1996, Entry no. 3)
The Special report of Estimates Committee No.1 outlined the circumstances giving rise to the Inquiry and requested this Committee to report on specific matters.
Estimates Committee No.1 of the Legislative Council to which was referred, on 30 April 1996, the 1996/97 budget estimates for the Legislature, resolved at a deliberative meeting on 6 June 1996 that a Special Report be presented to the House in order that the House may decide whether the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Privilege and Ethics be requested to report on what action should be taken by the House in relation to the actions of the Financial Controller of the New South Wales Parliament who refused to directly answer questions of the Committee on an instruction from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
(Special Report of Estimates Committee No.1, 17 June 1996)