NSW to fast-track inquest into Bondi massacre

The NSW government has committed $18m to expedite and expand a Coroner’s Court inquest into the Bondi stabbing deaths, in a similar wayit did after the Lindt Cafe siege.

NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed $18m would be immediately set aside for the inquiry, which will look at the response to the incident and any interactions the perpetrator may have had.

“I expect that inquiry will look at not just the NSW police response and the criminal investigation surrounding the events in Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon but also this offender’s interactions with the NSW government, in NSW Health and government agencies as well as with help from the Queensland government, any interactions that this man had in that state,” he said.

“This allocation will give the court certainty and ensure other inquests and inquiries are not delayed,” the Premier and NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said in a joint statement.

State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan will conduct the inquiry.

The additional funding will also provide trauma-informed care for victims and families, including appropriate family liaison support.

“The thoughts of our state and nation are with those impacted by this tragedy, and the NSW Government is committed to ensuring victims and their families are supported over the days and months ahead,” Mr Minns and Mr Daley said.

NSW Police were not aware of any interactions with Bondi mass stabber Joel Cauchi beyond a

“move along type of situation”.

“I’m not sure of the circumstances but it was a rough sleeping type issue,” Assistant Commissioner Tony Cooke said.

Mr Park said there was no information about the offender accessing treatment or support for mental health services in NSW.

But a deep dive into the system will be completed.

“He came in contact with NSW Health for a physical ailment, for his ear and that is all,” Mr Park said.

“We’ve got a range of different systems in NSW Health. It’s a very large system.

“But we’ll make sure that anything else that pops up, we’ll make sure that’s available to the coroner and the police in termsof any investigation.

“But initially, it doesn’t seem to be – have much to do in many interactions with us at all.”