WA opposition pushes amendment to give attorney general direct power for coronial inquests
The Western Australian opposition plans to introduce a bill that would let Attorney General Tony Buti order a coronial inquest without needing a prior denial, targeting the 2022 Hawke children murders case.
Western Australia’s opposition intends to force the Cook government’s hand on the Hawke children murders by amending the Coroners Act to give Attorney General Tony Buti unequivocal authority to order a coronial inquest. Shadow attorney-general Nick Goiran will table the amendment, which enjoys Greens support and could clear the Legislative Council. The case involves Margaret Hawke, who killed her ten-year-old, seven-year-old and four-month-old children in Port Hedland in 2022, and has resurfaced after The Australian highlighted missed child-protection alerts.
Current law permits an inquest only after a prior request is denied and fresh evidence emerges, a limitation the opposition says leaves the government stalled. Legal figures such as former governor Malcolm McCusker have disputed the government’s interpretation, while the WA Ombudsman reported numerous emergency calls and family-violence reports linked to Hawke. Premier Cook said the issue is under review and will be answered soon, and Child Protection Minister Jess Stojkovski has taken steps to improve safety services in the Pilbara region.
Why it matters
The amendment could change how WA handles coronial investigations, affecting accountability in child-protection failures.
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