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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Government's response to Bondi stabbing inquest slammed by victim's mother and mental health groups

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Mental health advocacy groups and the mother of a Bondi Junction stabbing victim criticize the New South Wales government's response to a coronial inquest.
  • While the government accepted most recommendations, groups argue it lacks concrete action and is withholding a key report on mental health funding gaps.
  • Advocates demand tangible commitments to address systemic issues, warning that inaction could lead to future tragedies.

Mental health organizations and the mother of one of the victims of the Bondi Junction stabbing attack have voiced strong criticism of the New South Wales government's response to the incident's coronial inquest. They argue that the government's actions fall short of preventing future tragedies.

The state government announced it would accept 11 out of 13 recommendations from the inquest into the 2024 attack, which resulted in six deaths. However, groups representing mental health consumers, carers, and psychiatrists contend that the government has only committed to "in principle" actions on two key recommendations and is withholding a crucial report detailing gaps in mental health funding.

I'm fairly sceptical about what will actually be done in the practical sense.

— Elizabeth YoungExpressing doubt about the government's commitment to implementing recommendations following the Bondi Junction attack.

Elizabeth Young, whose daughter Jade was killed in the attack, expressed skepticism about the government's practical implementation of the accepted recommendations. "I'm fairly sceptical about what will actually be done in the practical sense," she stated, emphasizing her belief that systemic failures led to her daughter's death.

We've already seen how the years of inaction have resulted in a tragedy, and even after that tragedy, if nothing concrete happens … then it's a ticking time bomb waiting for another tragedy to occur.

— Pramudie GunaratneChief executive of the Australian Society of Psychiatrists, warning about the consequences of continued inaction.

Advocacy groups, including BEING Mental Health and the Australian Society of Psychiatrists, are calling for concrete commitments, particularly regarding fully funded supported housing for individuals with mental health issues. "Goodwill is just a promise on paper; we really need commitments to address the structural issues that the coronial inquest found," said Giancarlo de Vera, CEO of BEING Mental Health.

Opposition leader Kellie Sloane echoed these concerns, urging the government to release the report on mental health funding gaps and address the "enormous strain" on the system. The groups warn that without immediate and substantial action, the current situation remains a "ticking time bomb" for further tragedies.

Goodwill is just a promise on paper; we really need commitments to address the structural issues that the coronial inquest found.

— Giancarlo de VeraCEO of BEING Mental Health, calling for concrete action beyond expressions of intent.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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