The Honorary Royal Commission was appointed to report upon the operation and effectiveness of the Conservation and Land Management Act of 1984. The Commissioners appointed were all Members of Parliament, hence the term 'honorary'.

The inquiry was to include consideration of the following matters:

(a) The effectiveness of the operations of the Department of Conservation and Land Management, the Lands and Forests Commission, the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority and the Forest Production Council;

(b) The need for the continuation of the functions of the Department of Conservation and Land Management, the Lands and Forests Commission, the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority and the Forest Production Council;

(c) A cost benefit analysis of the operations of the Department of Conservation and Land Management to ensure that additional Government funding is being utilised in the most efficient manner; and

(d) Such other matters as the Royal Commission considers relevant to the operations and effectiveness of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984.

The report of the Royal Commission was tabled in 1985.