❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Attorney General regarding a backlog of post-abortion neonatal death cases before the State Coroner, some dating back over five years. The Attorney General responds that recent legislative changes have removed the coroner's jurisdiction over these cases, leading to their closure.
AnsweredQoN 498Legislative Council
Asked
15 May 2024
Member
Portfolio
parliamentary secretary representing the Attorney General
QuestionView source ↗
STATE CORONER —
CASE BACKLOG
498. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I
refer to the parliamentary secretary's statement to the house on 8 August
2023 in which he advised that there were 28 cases of post-abortion
neonatal deaths with the Coroner's Court, and the answer to question
without notice 932, asked on 29 August 2023, which reaffirmed that there were
28 such cases before the State Coroner.
(1) Is the
Attorney General aware that 26 of those cases were first reported to the State
Coroner more than five years ago?
(2) What is the total number of such
cases presently before the State Coroner?
CASE BACKLOG
498. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Attorney General:
I
refer to the parliamentary secretary's statement to the house on 8 August
2023 in which he advised that there were 28 cases of post-abortion
neonatal deaths with the Coroner's Court, and the answer to question
without notice 932, asked on 29 August 2023, which reaffirmed that there were
28 such cases before the State Coroner.
(1) Is the
Attorney General aware that 26 of those cases were first reported to the State
Coroner more than five years ago?
(2) What is the total number of such
cases presently before the State Coroner?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1)–(2) Following
the amendment to the Coroners Act 1996 on 27 March 2024 with the insertion of
section 3B, the State Coroner provided instructions on 9 April 2024 for these
matters to be closed because the coroner no longer has any jurisdiction in
relation to the deaths.
of the question.
(1)–(2) Following
the amendment to the Coroners Act 1996 on 27 March 2024 with the insertion of
section 3B, the State Coroner provided instructions on 9 April 2024 for these
matters to be closed because the coroner no longer has any jurisdiction in
relation to the deaths.
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