Statement from Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath

After receiving a briefing from my Department, I have decided to direct the State Coroner to reopen the inquest into the death of Jeffrey Lawrence Brooks on 13 March 1996, under the Coroners Act 1958.

In 1998, a Coroner handed down an “open finding”, meaning that doubts remained about the exact circumstances of Mr Brooks’ death.

My decision to reopen the coronial inquiry is based on new credible and independent evidence that was not available during the 1998 inquest into Mr Brooks’ death.

This new evidence would not have come to light without the determination of Mr Brooks’ parents and solid investigative journalism.

ENDS

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