chair an inquiry into allegations of bastardization of cadets at the Duntroon Military College. At least one officer was removed from command as a result of the findings of the inquiry. In 1973 he heard a case concerning the construction of a communications tower on Black Mountain, overlooking Canberra. The tower is now known as “Telstra Tower”, but was originally known as Black Mountain Tower. The plaintiffs sought a review of the building process, asserting that the erection of the tower would constitute a “public nuisance”, impairing the mountain skyline. This was to be one of the first environmental cases in the Australian Capital Territory. Fox dismissed the case, as there were neither legal grounds nor any laws that could prevent the construction of the tower. However, Fox in his judgement expressed the hope that “the law would develop to fairly deal with environmental issues”. This hope was to be realised later, with the passing of an Environment Act. In 1975, Fox was asked by then prime minister Gough Whitlam to chair an inquiry into uranium mining. The inquiry was to report on whether or not uranium mining should be permitted in Australia. In particular, the inquiry was to focus upon whether uranium should be mined along the East Alligator River in the Northern Territory of Australia. His fellow commissioners were Graeme George Kelleher and Charles Baldwin Kerr. The inquiry engaged eight part-time specialist advisors on various aspects of uranium mining. This inquiry is usually referred to in the media as the Ranger Uranium Mine Inquiry although that mine was established after the completion of the report. The Inquiry is more correctly known in academic publications as the “Fox Inquiry”. The inquiry was held over a two-year period and required 121 days of hearings. The commissioners heard 303 witnesses and considered over 400 documents. The inquiry generated 13,000 pages of transcript. During the course of the enquiry, Malcolm Fraser, who had replaced Whitlam as prime minister, asked Fox to bring the inquiry to a speedy conclusion. The media also assumed that Fox would deliver a report favorable to mining interests. However, Fox maintained his independence throughout and ensured that the inquiry proceeded without any political or media interference. Author Les Dalton argues that the inquiry is probably unique in Australian history for its openness and public participation. The resulting report is regarded as Australia's most comprehensive environmental report and is