❓ Mr. McGinty raises concerns about the coronial inquiry into Mr. Ragno's son's death, focusing on dissatisfaction and legal representation. The Attorney General acknowledges the concerns, outlines available legal avenues for Mr. Ragno, and addresses the funding request.
AnsweredQoN 103Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
103. Mr McGINTY to the Minister representing the Attorney General:
(1) Is the Attorney General aware of dissatisfaction expressed by Mr Shane Ragno about the conduct of coronial inquiry into the death of his son?
(2) What is the Attorney General doing to address these matters?
(3) Will the Government provide funding for legal representation for the Ragno family to be represented at the inquiry, particularly as all other interested parties, including Ms Fay Wilson, have State funded legal representation?
(1) Is the Attorney General aware of dissatisfaction expressed by Mr Shane Ragno about the conduct of coronial inquiry into the death of his son?
(2) What is the Attorney General doing to address these matters?
(3) Will the Government provide funding for legal representation for the Ragno family to be represented at the inquiry, particularly as all other interested parties, including Ms Fay Wilson, have State funded legal representation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2000
Response time
97 days
The Minister Replied:
The Attorney General has provided the following reply:
(1) Yes
(2) The Inquest into the death of Mr Ragno's son has been completed and a Finding was delivered by the State Coroner on 7 July 2000.
Mr Ragno has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for an Order that some or all of the Findings at the Inquest are void and that a new Inquest be held or the Inquest be re-opened pursuant to section 52 of the Coroners Act 1996.
In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for the Attorney General to take any action, nor is any action available to him. He has held discussions with Mr Ragno and sought to put him in touch with agencies who may be able to help him.
(3) As the inquiry has been completed, the question as to whether to fund legal representation at the inquiry is hypothetical.
He understands, however, that the Ragno family was to be represented at the inquiry but that at a very late stage in those proceedings, the Ragno family's counsel withdrew his services, leaving the Ragno family with no option but to represent themselves. This was very distressing to the Ragno family.
Should the Ragno family proceed with an appeal to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, they are entitled to apply through the usual processes for legal aid funding, and will be duly considered by an independent assessor.
The Attorney General has provided the following reply:
(1) Yes
(2) The Inquest into the death of Mr Ragno's son has been completed and a Finding was delivered by the State Coroner on 7 July 2000.
Mr Ragno has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for an Order that some or all of the Findings at the Inquest are void and that a new Inquest be held or the Inquest be re-opened pursuant to section 52 of the Coroners Act 1996.
In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for the Attorney General to take any action, nor is any action available to him. He has held discussions with Mr Ragno and sought to put him in touch with agencies who may be able to help him.
(3) As the inquiry has been completed, the question as to whether to fund legal representation at the inquiry is hypothetical.
He understands, however, that the Ragno family was to be represented at the inquiry but that at a very late stage in those proceedings, the Ragno family's counsel withdrew his services, leaving the Ragno family with no option but to represent themselves. This was very distressing to the Ragno family.
Should the Ragno family proceed with an appeal to the Supreme Court of Western Australia, they are entitled to apply through the usual processes for legal aid funding, and will be duly considered by an independent assessor.
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