- Cook Labor Government to review Coroners Act 1996
- Drafting underway to increase timeframes for appeals by affected family members
- Review to examine amendments to allow a Coroner to re-open an investigation and hold an inquest without family member needing to apply to the Supreme Court
The Cook Labor Government has commenced a review of the Coroners Act 1996.
Drafting of amendments to the Act are already underway and the short review will inform that process.
Included in the amendments, to be introduced to Parliament next year, will be an increase in the time grieving families have to challenge a decision of the Coroner not to hold an inquest.
The review is being conducted by the Department of Justice and will examine:
- the outstanding recommendations of the WA Law Reform Commission’s report Project 100: Review of Coronial Practice in Western Australia;
- the recommendations of the 2021 statutory review of the Coroners Act; and
- the need for any other legislatives changes.
This follows advocacy from families who currently only have seven days to apply to the Supreme Court for review of a Coroner’s decision not to hold an inquest.
The review is expected to be completed by the end of November 2026.
As stated by Attorney General Dr Tony Buti:
“The death of a family member or loved one is one of the most distressing and stressful experiences of a person’s life. This is amplified if processes are not clear or there is short a timeframe to follow these processes during a time of grief.
“The Cook Labor Government is committed to improving the coronial process for next of kin.
“This is why I have instructed the Department of Justice to undertake a short review of the Coroners Act to ensure the work underway to amend the Act is fully informed.
“Work to draft a new Coroners Act for our State is continuing in parallel with the review. The findings of the review will be incorporated into that legislation, which I look forward to bringing to Parliament next year.”
