Introduction
This inquiry was established on 15 October 2025 to inquire into and report on unsolved murders and long-term missing persons cases in New South Wales between 1965 and 2010.
The submission guide explains the role of parliamentary committees and how to make a submission to an inquiry. The guide is available here.
Video recordings of hearings can be found on the NSW Parliament's YouTube channel.
The closing date for submissions has been extended to 30 October 2026.
Support for inquiry participants
If you feel distressed because of sensitive content encountered during this inquiry, we encourage you to reach out to the following resources:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7) or text 0477 13 11 14. Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services
- Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511. The Mental Health Line is NSW Health's free 24/7 statewide phone service which links people with NSW Health mental health services
- 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732): National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service 1800respect.org.au
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800. Kids Helpline provides free, confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25
- 13Yarn: 13 92 76. 13Yarn is a free 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line
- Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578 (1800 FULL STOP), 24/7, free and confidential support
- National Violence and Abuse Trauma Counselling and Recovery Service for anyone in Australia who has been impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence. This includes families, friends and supporters of anyone impacted by sexual, domestic or family violence
- NSW Sexual Violence Helpline (formerly NSW Rape Crisis): 1800 424 017, 24/7, free and confidential support. NSW Sexual Violence Helpline is for anyone in NSW who has been impacted by sexual violence, recently or in the past. Loved ones of victims impacted by sexual violence, recently or in the past. Others who have been impacted by this violence, including professionals or first responders.
For people who prefer not to submit an electronic submission they have an option to post a submission to the following address: The Director, Portfolio Committee No. 1, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000. If you have difficulties with writing a submission, please contact the secretariat to discuss your options for lodging a submission on (02) 9230 2809 or (02) 9230 2276.
Members
| Chair: | Jeremy Buckingham (Legalise Cannabis Party, Legislative Council) |
|---|---|
| Deputy chair: | Robert Borsak (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Legislative Council) |
| Members: |
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| Substitute members: |
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Terms of reference
Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Wed 15 October 2025 | Referred |
| Thu 11 June 2026 | Hearing - Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral, Centennial Road |
| Wed 01 July 2026 | Hearing - Grafton District Services Club, 107 Mary Street |
| Mon 07 September 2026 | Hearing - Newcastle, Newcastle |
| Thu 10 September 2026 | Hearing - Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney |
| Fri 30 October 2026 | Submissions closed |
Submissions
This inquiry is receiving submissions. To lodge a submission, click on the make a submission button.
Make a submissionHearings and transcripts
| Date | Venue details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 11 June 2026 | Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral, Centennial Road | View schedule | View transcript |
| Wed 01 July 2026 | Grafton District Services Club, 107 Mary Street | View schedule | View transcript |
| Mon 07 September 2026 | Newcastle, Newcastle | ||
| Thu 10 September 2026 | Macquarie Room, Parliament House, Sydney |
Other documents
| Date | Type | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Thu 11 June 2026 | Tabled Document | Newspaper article from the Illawarra Mercury regarding missing girls Kay Docherty and Toni Cavanagh, dated 19 August 2023, tendered by Mr Jeff Dakers (pdf, 12.15 MB) |
| Thu 11 June 2026 | Tabled Document | Image of Wollongong Aerial Photography 1938 to 2018, dated 4 March 2021, tendered by Mr Jeff Dakers (pdf, 1.34 MB) |
| Thu 11 June 2026 | Tabled Document | Email to Search Dogs Sydney attaching photos of creek area, dated 3 October 2025, tendered by Mr Chris D'Arcy (pdf, 623.54 KB) |
| Thu 11 June 2026 | Tabled Document | Email to Search Dogs Sydney attaching a soil DNA analysis report by Dr Alicia Haines, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Science, UTS, dated 26 May 2026, tendered by Mr Chris D'Arcy (pdf, 3.10 MB) |
| Tue 03 March 2026 | Other | Guide to making a submission (pdf, 94.66 KB) |
| Mon 01 December 2025 | Media Release | Media release - Inquiry commencement (pdf, 120.57 KB) |
Contact us
Emma Rogerson
- Role:
- Director Committees
- Phone:
- 9230 2898
- Email:
- portfoliocommittee1@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Lauren Evans
- Role:
- Principal Council Officer
- Phone:
- 9230 2276
- Email:
- portfoliocommittee1@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Reeti Pandharipande
- Role:
- Administration Officer
- Phone:
- 9230 2156
- Email:
- portfoliocommittee1@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Amanda Assoum
- Role:
- Principal Council Officer
- Phone:
- 9230 2991
- Email:
- portfoliocommittee1@parliament.nsw.gov.au