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Bowraville Murder Investigation

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Speakers - Nile Reverend The Hon Fred; Della Bosca The Hon John
Business - Questions Without Notice

      BOWRAVILLE MURDER INVESTIGATION
Page: 2019

      Reverend the Hon. FRED NILE: I direct a question to the Minister for Education and Training, representing the Attorney General. Is it a fact that the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided to drop the Bowraville Aboriginal Mission case, which involves the murders between 1990 and 1991 of three Aboriginal children, a 16-year-old girl, a 16-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl? Is it a fact that certain new evidence has now become available that justifies the reopening of these serious cases of murder involving these three children, possibly by one person? Will the Government request the Director of Public Prosecutions to reopen these three murder cases as a matter of urgency so as to restore the confidence of the parents in the rule of justice for every person, irrespective of race or colour?

      The Hon. JOHN DELLA BOSCA: Quite obviously the Government shares the disappointment of the families that these cases remain unsolved. However, the decision not to reopen the case against a person who has previously been acquitted of the crimes is made by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. I am advised that on Tuesday night the Attorney wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking him to reconsider his decision. There is still the prospect that charges will be laid in these matters in the future.
      In April this year the Minister for Police offered a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the deaths of the three children. That offer stands, and if any new evidence emerges, it will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration. In addition, under the State's new double-jeopardy laws, a person acquitted of a crime can now be re-tried for the same offence if there is compelling new evidence. As I said earlier, there is still the prospect that charges will be laid on these matters in the future. Consequently, an inquiry could potentially prejudice any subsequent procedures, and that is the last thing anyone would want.


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