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Justice4Victims

VIEW MHRT PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY
VIEW LEGISLATIVE REFORM
WATCH PHIL DONATO
WATCH PARLIAMENT DEBATE
CORONIAL INQUEST SECURED
VIEW OUR MHRT INQUIRY SUBMISSION

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Advocacy Australia’s Justice For Victims campaign commenced in 2021.

In 2024 we launched a NSW Parliament e-petition on 1 July 2024 with the petition debated in NSW Parliament on Thursday 17th October 2024 View the petition debate below.

Just 35 days after the petition was presented and debated in NSW Parliament, on Thursday 21st November, The Hon. Rose Jackson, the NSW Minister for Mental Health introduced the Mental Health Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 to implement reform for forensic patients within the MHRT System. On Wednesday 19th February the legislation was passed by Parliament and sent to the Governor for Assent on Friday 21st February 2025 and assented on Sunday 2nd March 2025. Read our response to the new legislation.

The week following Minister Jackson’s introduction of legislative reforms, on 26 November 2024, Advocacy Australia was notified that the NSW State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan, was of the opinion that an inquest should be held into the death of a 10 year old child.

The coronial inquest into the circumstances surrounding the childs death was held from 16–18 June 2026 before NSW State Coroner Magistrate O’Sullivan with a final tranche scheduled for late November 2026. The Coroner’s findings are expected to be delivered in early 2027.

Then, on 5 June 2026, came a landmark moment. After initially ruling out an inquiry, the NSW Government – through our relentless advocacy with multiple victims – announced a Parliamentary Inquiry into the forensic division of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, building on the legislative reforms we initiated. Our NSW Parliament e-petition drew 21,550 signatures from NSW, triggering just the 18th parliamentary debate since the e-petition system began.

The Committee on Law and Safety is examining how the Mental Health Review Tribunal operates, how it manages forensic cases, and the impact of recent legislative changes. The Inquiry is focused on the operation of the system as a whole, rather than reviewing individual Tribunal decisions.

The Inquiry sought written submissions, with Advocacy Australia lodging a detailed submission and subsequently being invited to give evidence in person. Advocacy Australia opened the Inquiry’s hearings on 10 August 2026 by giving evidence in a closed session and also supported victims who participated in closed hearings held across 10 and 11 August 2026.

To read Advocacy Australia’s written submission, visit the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Mental Health Review Tribunal and view Submission 32 and 32A. Around 300 forensic patients fall under the Tribunal’s jurisdiction each year. That’s hundreds of grieving families, many carrying experiences they have never had the chance to voice. This inquiry is that chance.

Advocacy Australia’s NSW Parliament e-petition secured 21,550 NSW Signatures with our Outside NSW Supporters Register and a change.org petition securing an additional 18,454 signatures from across Australia and the globe totalling 40,004 signatures calling for change.

With the support of Philip Donato MP, Advocacy Australia and the Australian public, the petition exceeded the minimum NSW signatories required to initiate a Parliamentary Debate.

Advocacy Australia would like to thank Mr Phil Donato MP, Member for Orange, the Hon. Rose Jackson, NSW Police, the District Commander and Superintendent of the region, the lead detectives and their team for their ongoing support and commitment to justice for victims. The NSW State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan, Counsel Assisting Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, and her team, Emma Sullivan, Caitlin Healey-Nash, Georgia Morgan, Gillian Buchan, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah N. for the care, sensitivity and diligence they have brought to the coronial process, and for their commitment to victims.

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VICTIMS’ ADVOCACY AT WORK: IN THE MEDIA

7 News Spotlight: Justice For Biddy

Advocacy Australia extend our sincere thanks to the journalists, producers, editors, legal teams and media organisations who help ensure victims’ voices are heard. Victims’ advocacy would not be possible without the media’s willingness to investigate, ask difficult questions and give victims a voice.

Our heartfelt thanks go to Michael Usher, Tim Sheridan, Andrea Keir, Cydonee Mardon, Joanna Woodburn, Bek Day, Grace Dudley, Lauren Evans, Kimberly Lambourne, Madeleine Bower, Michelle Cook, Toni Ambrogetti, Sophie Upcroft, Stephanie Gardiner, Alex Mitchell, Jack Gramenz, Darren Cutrupi and Giuseppa Nastasi.

We also thank 7NEWS Australia, Seven News Spotlight, ABC, The Sunday Telegraph, Mamamia, 7NEWS Central West, Nine News, AAP, WIN News, ARN and the Central Western Daily for giving victims’ the platform and scrutiny they deserved.

MEDIA COVERAGE

PLEASE NOTE: Advocacy Australia received the full consent of Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s senior available next of kin – Rebekah Porter (mother) and Dominic Porter (father), to publish information about Biddy and her image under section 15E of the Children’s (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) – 15E Exception where child deceased (1) This Division does not prohibit the publication or broadcasting of the name of a deceased child with the consent of a senior available next of kin of the child for the duration of the Justice For Biddy Campaign which concluded in August 2026.