LGBTIQ hate crimes inquiry recommendations to be implemented in full

The Special Commission of Inquiry into Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer Hate Crimes examined unsolved deaths between 1970 and 2010, which had previously been investigated by NSW Police. 

In a report of almost 3,500 pages, the inquiry identified a series of shortfalls in how authorities responded to the deaths. 

The government has now released its response to the inquiry, apologising to victims, survivors and loved ones. 

“It is unacceptable that investigations were not consistently handled with professionalism, fairness, respect, and compassion,” says the government response. 

“We acknowledge that in some instances NSW law enforcement and justice agencies have failed to adequately identify, investigate, and prosecute violent crimes that were, or may have been, motivated by bias based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, and for that we are deeply sorry.” 

The inquiry’s recommendations included moves for a fresh inquest into a number of deaths, reinvestigations and monitoring DNA profiles for matches. 

It also calls for additional, mandatory training of police officers about the indicia of LGBTIQ bias crime, cultural awareness and appropriate language and the role of conscious and unconscious bias. 

Further recommendations were for police to conduct a systematic review of all unsolved homicides from 1970 to 2010, an audit of exhibits and the identification of exhibits that should be resubmitted for forensic testing, based on possible technological advances. 

The government says some of the recommendations have already been implemented, while work on others continues. 

The NSW Police Force has established Taskforce Atlas to implement the recommendations. 

Police Minister Yasmin Catley says, “The Inquiry report made for deeply difficult reading: a difficulty dwarfed by the lived experiences shared by so many.” 

She described the government’s response as an important milestone. 

“We can’t change what has happened in the past, but we can and will do everything in our power to learn, evolve and prevent history from repeating itself,” said Catley.