Implementing Recommendation 1 of the Operation Burnham Inquiry Report: Appointment of the Expert Review Group and Terms of Reference

Additional info

It comprises:

• the Cabinet minute of decision: Expert Review Group for Recommendation 1 of the Operation Burnham Inquiry Report: Appointments and Terms of Reference [CAB-20-MIN-0458]

• the Cabinet paper: Implementing Recommendation 1 of the Operation Burnham Inquiry Report: Appointment of the Expert Review Group and Terms of Reference [CAB-20-SUB-0458].

The Expert Review Group (ERG) comprises:

• Lyn Provost (Chair), former Controller and Auditor-General, former Deputy Chief Executive of the New Zealand Police, and former Acting Chief Executive of Archives New Zealand
• Simon Murdoch, former Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and former Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Tony Lynch, Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and former Deputy Secretary of Defence
• Richard Foy, former Chief Archivist, Department of Internal Affairs
• Carol Douglass, Deputy Secretary Governance, People and Executive Services, Ministry of Defence
• Brigadier Hugh McAslan, NZDF senior military officer.

The ERG is also supported by two international advisers. Dennis Richardson, former Secretary of Defence and former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, is the international civilian advisor. Air Marshal (retired) Philip Osborn, Royal Air Force, a previous Chief of Defence Intelligence in the United Kingdom, is the international military adviser.

The ERG will present a report on their findings to the Minister of Defence by June 2021.

Although appointment Cabinet papers are not normally released, the Ministry is doing so in this instance as there is significant public interest in the response to the Government Inquiry into Operation Burnham.

The Terms of Reference for the ERG are available here.