NRS-21074 | Westmead Coroners Court 1994 NSW Bushfire inquiry

Full description

Inquests and inquiries were currently held under the terms of the Coroners Act 1980. Under The Act, in addition to the power to hold inquests into deaths or suspected deaths, coroners are also empowered to inquire into fires and explosions.

This series consists of records relating to the 1993/1994 NSW Bushfire Inquiry. From 27 December 1993 to 16 January 1994, a series of over 800 severe fires swept across the coastal and largely urban areas of New South Wales. The Inquiry was conducted from August 1994 to February 1996 and the report was handed down on 28 February 1996. The Inquiry conducted by the then Senior Deputy State Coroner John Hiatt and the result of which is known as the Hiatt Report (1996). The report made 125 findings and recommendations. (1)

Included are exhibits (including videos and photographs) presented at the inquiry, transcripts of proceedings (including 2 computer disks containing transcripts), submissions and briefs of evidence.

The videos (NRS-21074-4) and computer disks (NRS-21074-2) are available in digital format.

Endnote
1. Inquiry into the NSW Rural Fire Service, Parliamentary Paper No.358 (Report No.6), NSW Legislative Council, 23 June 2000, pp.4-5,8.