PIAC represents families in Coronial Inquests and has a continuing interest in coronial law reform.

Recent and continuing work includes:

• Monitoring the NSW Government’s response to recommendations made by the Coroner in 2006 in the Inquest into the death in custody of Scott Simpson.

• Lobbying the NSW Government to implement the Coroner’s recommendations in the Simpson Inquest promoting the limited use of segregation for prisoners with a mental illness.

• Requesting that the Coroner make recommendations to NSW Health about the need for more secure care options for critically ill mental health patients.

• PIAC represented the family of Mark Holcroft, who died in custody when being transported in a prison van from one prison to another, reportedly without his medication and reportedly despite attempts by other prisoners to stop the van so that he could receive medical attention. PIAC is monitoring the NSW Government response to the Coroner’s recommendations (set out in the findings).

• PIAC’s submission to the Senate Community Services Committee’s Inquiry into suicide in Australia highlights ways to enhance the coroner’s role in suicide prevention through law and policy reform.

• PIAC’s submission to the Western Australian (WA) Law Reform Commission’s Review of Coronial Practice in Western Australia discusses five areas PIAC considers are essential reforms for coronial law and practice Australia-wide. 

• Pursuing coronial law reform, through the lobbying of the NSW Government on issues such as the lack of legislation mandating a government response to recommendations by the Coroner and through PIAC’s membership of the Australian Inquest Alliance, which lobbies for national coronial law and policy reform.