The NSW Government has provided a final extension to the reporting date for the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes to 15 December 2023. This will ensure that victims and families receive closure.
On the recommendation of the Premier, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, has today amended the Letters Patent establishing the independent inquiry to allow the extension.
The Government has granted the request from the Commissioner, the Honourable Justice John Sackar, to ensure the delivery of a comprehensive final report.
The need for the extension has been driven by the volume and timing of documentary and other evidence provided to the Inquiry that requires thorough examination and consideration, and promising developments arising from forensic testing undertaken at the direction of the Inquiry.
The Inquiry has received more than 130,000 documents, held public and private hearings, issued more than 400 summonses, undertaken further investigations, and responded to more than 100 responses to public appeals for information.
Inquiry staff have been working diligently to meet the Terms of Reference and complete their work.
Established by Letters Patent signed on 13 April 2022 and led by Commissioner Justice Sackar, the Inquiry has been tasked with inquiring into the manner and cause of death in all cases that remain unsolved from the 88 deaths or suspected deaths of men potentially motivated by gay hate bias that were considered by Strike Force Parrabell.
The Inquiry is also examining the manner and cause of death in all unsolved suspected hate crime deaths in New South Wales that occurred between 1970 and 2010 where the victim was a member of the LGBTIQ community and the death was the subject of a previous investigation by the NSW Police Force. The Inquiry has reviewed approximately 700 unsolved homicides and 500 missing persons cases.
Find out more about the work of the independent Inquiry
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Today we’ve extended the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes so it can continue to shine a light on past injustices.
“We’ve granted this extension to ensure that the Inquiry produces a final report which honours victims, and provides closure for families and the broader community.”
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley said:
“For far too long, the families and friends of victims have suffered the unimaginable anguish of not knowing what happened to their loved one.”
“They deserve answers, so it’s important that we give Inquiry staff, who are working tirelessly to review and consider a huge volume of documents and other evidence, the time they need to complete their work.”
