Key recommendations include conducting a review of all unsolved homicides from 1970 to 2010
The NSW government has released the final report of the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes, a landmark review that has spanned several months.
Justice John Sackar initiated the inquiry in April 2022 and delved into the unsolved deaths of LGBTIQ individuals between 1970 and 2010 that may have been hate crimes. In particular, the inquiry looked into the 88 deaths or suspected deaths of men potentially motivated by gay hate bias that Strike Force Parrabell investigated.
The final report, comprising nearly 3,500 pages, includes seven recommendations related to specific cases and an additional 12 recommendations focused on investigative and record management practices and procedures. During the inquiry process, 32 detailed examinations were conducted on the deaths of individuals potentially motivated by gay hate bias.
The proceedings also explored social, legal, and cultural factors impacting the LGBTIQ community, shedding light on the evolving relationship between the community and the NSW Police Force over 40 years.
Key recommendations included establishing a comprehensive review or audit by NSW Police of all unsolved homicides from 1970 to 2010. This includes meticulously examining exhibits and potential forensic testing, considering technological advances. The report also suggested improvements to the Unsolved Homicide Team (UHT), encompassing a review of practices, procedures, and resources, alongside mandatory and ongoing training for NSW Police officers regarding the LGBTIQ community, bias crimes, and investigative biases.
The extensive work involved scrutinizing over 150,000 documents, issuing more than 400 summonses, making public appeals for information, and conducting both public and private hearings.
NSW Premier Chris Minns expressed gratitude to those who contributed information and assisted the inquiry, acknowledging the courage required to share traumatic experiences. "It takes courage to relive the traumatic experiences you have shared as partners, family and friends who have lost loved ones and as a community that has suffered unimaginable injustice," Minns said.
NSW Attorney General Michael Daley emphasised the significance of the inquiry's comprehensive work and extended gratitude to Sackar and the entire team for their dedicated efforts.
"I know many members of our community have been deeply impacted by the events examined by the inquiry and the reopening of wounds that have been a difficult but necessary part of this process. We hope that, in a small way, this process will have provided some level of closure and healing," Daley concluded.
