Page 1237 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 11 May 2021
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violence has a serious and devastating impact that can affect people for years and that stories of other people’s experiences can be triggering.
I would like to acknowledge the work and findings released by ACT Coroner Margaret Hunter OAM on Thursday, 29 April and the 17 recommendations that the government is now considering. It is important to specifically note the key findings of the coroner. I would like to highlight to the Assembly some of the words of the report. Firstly, there is this powerful sentence:
There is no issue as to who caused Bradyn’s death. That fact has been well established. Graham Dillon is the sole person responsible for the murder of his son Bradyn.
Secondly, there is this critical finding:
Having considered all of the evidence as well as submissions by counsel together with the reports I received, I have come to the conclusion that no one could have predicted the outcome that eventuated. It is my view that no one could have predicted that Graham Dillon would murder his son.
Coroner Hunter has identified a series of “sliding door moments” and events where potential opportunities to change the trajectory of Bradyn’s life are now apparent to us. With full information and the benefit of hindsight, the coroner identifies that “opportunities to recognise the children were at risk of abuse were lost”.
In considering the evidence, the coroner recognises the complexity of child protection work, the benefit we have in viewing these matters through the lens of hindsight, and ultimately Graham Dillon’s sole culpability for the murder of his son.
However, it is also important that we take the opportunity, as the coroner has done through her recommendations, to identify how the systems that work with children, young people and their families can be improved to better respond to similar circumstances when they arise.
The coroner’s findings do not take away our responsibility as a government and as a community to do all we can to keep children and young people safe. We will consider seriously the coroner’s recommendations and respond in accordance with the requirements of the Coroners Act.
Already, over the last five years, the ACT government has made significant investments and implemented reforms to improve policies and practices across CYPS and in our responses to family and domestic violence in the ACT. This work is ongoing and is informed by a large body of reports and recommendations, many of which have occurred in the years following Bradyn Dillon’s death.
CYPS staff work in complex, emotional and challenging situations. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of CYPS staff in protecting children and young people every day. I recognise that the very difficult decisions that CYPS staff must make on a daily basis are some of the most complex and important made by anyone in government. Our community is fortunate to have dedicated, deeply caring
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