❓ Hon Nick Goiran questions the Attorney General regarding a backlog of cases in the Office of the State Coroner, specifically focusing on 27 unnatural deaths of babies born alive after failed abortions and their relation to proposed legislative amendments. The Attorney General's response indicates the cases are on hold and the impact of amendments is yet to be determined.
AnsweredQoN 1267Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the 2021/22 Annual Report from the
Office of the State Coroner which states that the “backlog of cases increased
from 810 as at 30 June 2021 to 1315 as at 30 June 2022”, and an answer to questions asked during the 2021/22 Budget Estimates hearings (3b) stating that
27 unnatural deaths of babies born alive after a failed abortion procedure were
not included in the backlog of 810 cases, and I ask: (a) are all of the 27 cases on
hold pending the finalisation of consideration of proposed amendments to the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 ; (b) if no to (a), how many of the 27
cases are on hold and how many cases have been finalised; (c) given that the Annual Report
states “The backlog cases are determined by reference to the date that a
reportable death is reported to the coroner. When the date of that report is
more than 12 months old, that case enters into backlog and becomes a priority”,
how many of the 27 unnatural deaths are now a priority; and (d) what difference would the proposed
amendments make to the investigation?
Office of the State Coroner which states that the “backlog of cases increased
from 810 as at 30 June 2021 to 1315 as at 30 June 2022”, and an answer to questions asked during the 2021/22 Budget Estimates hearings (3b) stating that
27 unnatural deaths of babies born alive after a failed abortion procedure were
not included in the backlog of 810 cases, and I ask: (a) are all of the 27 cases on
hold pending the finalisation of consideration of proposed amendments to the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1911 ; (b) if no to (a), how many of the 27
cases are on hold and how many cases have been finalised; (c) given that the Annual Report
states “The backlog cases are determined by reference to the date that a
reportable death is reported to the coroner. When the date of that report is
more than 12 months old, that case enters into backlog and becomes a priority”,
how many of the 27 unnatural deaths are now a priority; and (d) what difference would the proposed
amendments make to the investigation?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 March 2023
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Attorney General
Response time
6 days
(a) - (c) It is the understanding of the Department of Justice that the 27 cases are on hold pending possible amendments to legislation.
(d) As the legislation is still under development, it is too early to say what the effect of any amendment would be.
(d) As the legislation is still under development, it is too early to say what the effect of any amendment would be.
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