A warning: This article contains descriptions of violence related to the 2024 Bondi Junction stabbings
An inquest looking into the fatal Bondi Junction stabbing attacks is set to go ahead in three weeks, looking into potential failings in the mental health system.
The inquest, from April 28 to May 30, will examine events in New South Wales and Queensland in the lead-up to the killings.
Hear more from today’s headlines on The Briefing:
In April last year, Joel Cauchi killed six people and seriously injured several others at a Westfield shopping centre in Sydney’s east before he was shot dead by police.
Cauchi had gone off his schizophrenia medication before the killings. There had been repeated warnings about his deteriorating mental health raised with the authorities.
The Bondi Junction inquest will also examine emergency response, shopping centre security, and media coverage at the time.
Families of victims said they were caused further distress by some TV reports which showed graphic imagery.
At a pre-inquest hearing yesterday, the Coroner’s court heard that a trauma-informed approach would be taken at the inquest. No sensitive CCTV or body cam vision will be shown in the inquest.
One of the victim’s family members is already calling for the inquest to be called off entirely due to the distress it would cause them. Meanwhile, the remaining victims’ families have said they do want it to proceed.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on Listnr today. The Briefing serves up the latest news headlines and a deep dive into a topic affecting you. All in under 20 minutes.