Government welcomes select committee report into coronial jurisdiction

Today I tabled in Parliament the NSW Government’s response to the Legislative Council Select Committee’s Report into the coronial system in New South Wales.

The Select Committee was established on 6 May 2021 to inquire into and report on the coronial system in NSW. The Select Committee delivered its report on 29 April 2022.

The NSW Government has carefully considered the report and is pleased to support or support in principle 15 of the Committee’s recommendations and to note 20 recommendations.

The NSW Government acknowledges and thanks the many individuals and organisations who participated in this inquiry, particularly those families who have firsthand experience of the coronial system, and shared their insights on how the coronial system can be improved further.

The NSW Government recognises the trauma and grief experienced by families and communities affected by an unexpected or unexplained death.

The NSW Coroners Court continues to lead the nation in the timing of outcomes. According to the 2021 Report on Government Services data, the Court finalised 87.5% of matters under 12 months and 96.6% under 24 months, both figures the highest among comparable jurisdictions.

The coronial process is complex, involving specialist officers from NSW Police and NSW Health, as well as Coroners and Courts staff. Already changes have been made to improve the experience of grieving families and communities impacted by an unexpected or unexplained death. This includes investment in the 2021-22 NSW State Budget to appoint an additional magistrate to the coronial jurisdiction and provide resourcing to the Coronial Case Management Unit to reduce delays and increase support for families.

In addition, the NSW Government had already established a review before the Select Committee started its work, with the Timeliness of Coronial Procedures Taskforce, which aimed to reduce delays and improve families’ experiences.

The Taskforce has implemented initiatives to improve timeframes, particularly in relation to the early case management of cases, especially in regional and rural areas.

The NSW Government also acknowledges the importance of coronial processes being culturally safe and responsive to First Nations families. I note the significant work of the coronial jurisdiction in this area to date, including the commencement of the State Coroner’s Protocol – Supplementary arrangements applicable to section 23 deaths involving First Nations Peoples, which sets out arrangements for the case management of mandated inquests in respect of First Nations people, and the establishment of two Aboriginal Coronial Information and Support Officer positions to improve support for First Nations families.

When people are in contact with the coronial system it is usually at one of the most traumatic times of their lives. It is crucial that coronial services are delivered in a professional, therapeutic and timely manner, which upholds the dignity of the deceased person and ensures respect for their family and friends.

The NSW Government remains committed to strengthening our coronial jurisdiction. This work will include introducing reforms to make the coronial pathway easier to navigate for grieving families and friends, and supporting the court’s efforts to reduce preventable deaths and make our community safer.