News & Media Releases - Advocacy Australia

Coronial Inquest into Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s Death to commence on 16 June 2026

June 12, 2026

The inquest into the circumstances surrounding the tragic killing of Bridgette “Biddy” Porter will be conducted by the NSW State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan from Tuesday 16 June until Thursday 18 June 2026, in response to Advocacy Australia’s request for a coronial inquest on behalf of Biddy’s parents with support from Orange Independent, Philip Donato MP. Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia said, “It is hoped that through the coronial inquest Biddy’s loved ones will learn what led to Biddy’s horrific killing, and that the knowledge gained through this inquest might help prevent other similar killings.” The request to…

INQUIRY INTO THE FORENSIC DIVISION OF THE NSW MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW TRIBUNAL ANNOUNCED

June 5, 2026

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TODAY, Advocacy Australia welcomed the announcement by the NSW Government that it would honour the Justice for Biddy Porter E Petition by formally announcing an inquiry into the forensic division of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal, 597 days after Independent Member for Orange, Philip Donato MP presented the E petition for debate in New South Wales Parliament. As part ofAdvocacy Australia’s Justice for Biddy Porter campaign, thanks to the support of Mr Donato, the Justice for Biddy Porter e-petition called for a coronial inquest into the circumstances surrounding Brigette “Biddy” Porters death and Parliamentary Inquiries including into the Mental…

Winner 2026 Queensland New Volunteer Award

May 18, 2026

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MEDIA RELEASE: MONDAY 18 MAY 2026 Phil Smith of Mackay Wins “Queensland New Volunteer Award” in Queensland Volunteer of the Year Awards 2026 Grief turned into life-saving advocacy following wife Leah’s asbestos-related death BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND – Advocacy Australia and its Asbestos Education Committee are proud to announce that Mackay volunteer Phil Smith, has been named the recipient of Volunteering Queensland’s “Queensland New Volunteer Award 2026”. Presented by the Governor of Queensland, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, at Brisbane City Hall on 15 May, the award recognises an individual having demonstrated exceptional dedication and making a significant…

GLOBAL ASBESTOS AWARENESS WEEK (1–7 April)

March 31, 2026

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This week, Advocacy Australia’s Asbestos Education Committee is reminding Australians that asbestos remains one of Australia’s most significant and ongoing public health challenges. More than 4,000 Australians lose their lives each year to asbestos-related diseases – around three times the national road toll – with cases continuing to rise. According to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry Report (2025), diagnoses of malignant mesothelioma have increased year-on-year for both men and women, with experts predicting this trend will continue due to the ongoing disturbance of legacy asbestos in the built environment. The data highlights a critical shift: With 1 in 3 Australian homes…

Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) Enquiry

March 27, 2026

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Advocacy Australia acknowledges Philip Donato for formally requesting an inquiry into the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT). This request represents a critical step towards addressing long-standing concerns around the management of forensic patients and ensuring victims’ voices are appropriately recognised and considered. Advocacy Australia has been advocating for such an inquiry since launching our Justice For Biddy petition in 2024, which Phil sponsored. It shone a spotlight on the injustices victims face in their interactions with the MHRT and the broader implications for community safety. This progress would not be possible without the courage and persistence of victims and families…

Deadly DIY: Home Renovations Linked to 51% of Mesothelioma Deaths

November 3, 2025

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November is National Asbestos Awareness Month – Friday 28 Nov is Asbestos Awareness Day 2025 With around 4,000 Australians dying from an asbestos-related disease annually, (more than three times the national road toll), and the death toll continuing to rise, National Asbestos Awareness Month (November) aims to save lives by alerting Australians to the dangers of asbestos that lurks in 1-in-3 Aussie homes. Conducted by the Asbestos Education Committee, the annual national campaign educates Australians about the ongoing dangers of legacy asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that can remain in any home built before 1990 by providing free tools and resources at asbestosawareness.com.au. If…

✨ TRIPLE GOLDEN TARGET AWARD WINNERS 2025 ✨

October 30, 2025

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We are deeply honoured to announce that Advocacy Australia’s Justice for Biddy campaign, nominated in three categories, has been recognised with three national awards at the Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA) 2025 Golden Target Awards – Australia’s most prestigious celebration of strategic communication and public relations excellence. 🥈 Silver: Not-for-Profit Campaign of the Year 🥉 Bronze: Public Affairs & Advocacy Campaign of the Year 🥉 Bronze: Not-for-Profit Team of the Year This recognition stands as a powerful testament to the strength of justice, determination, and passion, proof that when truth is pursued with courage and compassion, change truly is…

Triple Finalist Honour for Advocacy Australia at Golden Target Awards

October 1, 2025

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We are incredibly honoured to announce that today Advocacy Australia has been named a triple finalist in the Communication and Public Relations Australia annual 2025 Golden Target Awards, Australia’s oldest and most prestigious public relations and communications awards. Our Justice for Biddy campaign has been recognised in two categories: Public Affairs & Advocacy Campaign and Not-for-Profit Campaign. With our Co-founders; Clare Collins and Alice Collins – “The Collins Girls”, proud finalists in the Not-for-Profit Team of the Year category. The Golden Target Awards applaud the crème-de-la-crème of strategic thinking, creative execution, and communication excellence nationwide. In 2022, our Asbestos Education…

Advocacy Australia Founder Clare Collins Named Volunteer Of The Year: Sydney & Eastern Suburbs

August 13, 2025

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Advocacy Australia is proud to announce that our founder, Clare Collins, this week was recognised with two prestigious honours at the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards – Sydney City and Eastern Suburbs Region, hosted by The Centre for Volunteering. Clare was named both the Senior (Over 65) Volunteer of the Year and the overall 2025 Sydney City–Eastern Suburbs Volunteer of the Year, in recognition of her exceptional dedication to supporting victims of serious crimes and their families, and her tireless advocacy for asbestos education and awareness. The awards ceremony, held at Club York in Sydney’s CBD, was a moving…

AdOz Named Best Social Justice Advocacy Organisation In Global Awards

July 27, 2025

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We are proud and deeply honoured to announce that Advocacy Australia has been named Best Social Justice Advocacy Organisation – Australia at the Global 2025 Non-Profit Organisation Awards, presented by Acquisition International. This award recognises organisations driving meaningful, lasting change across the globe. We are humbled to be acknowledged for our unwavering commitment to advancing awareness, promoting equity, and advocating for social justice. At Advocacy Australia, we remain firmly dedicated to giving a voice to victims of crime when they are silenced, standing alongside those whose experiences have too often been ignored. Our work also extends to preventing future harm…

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