In response to Advocacy Australia's request for an inquest into the circumstances surrounding the tragic killing of Bridgette “Biddy” Porter on behalf of Biddy’s parents, overnight we learned that after considering our application the NSW State Coroner, Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan, is of the opinion that an inquest should be held.
Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia said, “We welcome the State Coroner’s decision in the hope that Biddy’s parents will learn what led to Biddy’s horrific killing, and hope that the knowledge gained through an inquest might help prevent other similar killings.”
The request to the NSW State Coroner was part of a strategic campaign conducted by Advocacy Australia to initiate an investigation into the circumstances into Biddy’s horrific death, as well as calls for inquiries and reforms of relevant government agencies through the launch of the Justice for Biddy Porter e-Petition in July 2024.
The e-petition calling for Parliamentary Inquiries into the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) handling of the case against Biddy’s self-confessed killer and the Mental Health Review Tribunal’s (MHRT) lack of transparency and accountability; reform of the Department of Communities and Justice Victims’ Support Services (VSS); and, a Coronial Inquest into the circumstances surrounding Biddy’s death received 40,004 signatures - 21,550 from NSW and a further 18,454 non-NSW residents.
“Following Minister Rose Jackson MP’s announcement to introduce the Mental Health Legislation Amendment Bill to the New South Wales Parliament a week ago, today’s announcement that there will be an inquest is a major step forward in achieving justice for precious Biddy,” she said.
“We are most grateful to Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan and the Office of the Coroner for reviewing Biddy’s case and agreeing to conduct the inquest to identify the underlying factors that contributed to Biddy’s death may help prevent other similar attacks and killings by minors,” Ms Collins said.
Details of when the inquest will be conducted are yet to be advised.
-ENDS-
#Justice4BiddyPorter #Justice4Biddy #JusticeForBiddy #Petition #NSWDPP #VictimsOfCrime #MHRT
LINKS
- Media Centre - Vision, photographs of Biddy, Rebekah, Dominic, Philip Donato MP and Clare Collins: https://bit.ly/JusticeForBiddy-MediaCentre
- Media coverage
- 7News Spotlight: https://bit.ly/Justice4Biddy-Spotlight features NSW Police interviews with Biddy’s killer
- A profile of a NSW forensic health facility: https://bit.ly/MHRT-Ch9 - NSW Government Media Release: https://bit.ly/NSW-GOVT-MEDIA
BIDDY’S PARENT’S AUTHORITY TO RELEASE INFORMATION TO MEDIA
The information, photographs and vision made available to media for publication were issued by Advocacy Australia with the full consent of Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s senior available next of kin - Rebekah Porter (mother) and Dominic Porter (father), for publication under section 15E of the Children’s (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) - 15E Exception where child deceased (1) This Division does not prohibit the publication or broadcasting of the name of a deceased child with the consent of a senior available next of kin of the child.
JUSTICE FOR BIDDY PORTER PETITION - justiceforbiddyporter.com
Advocacy Australia launched an NSW Parliament e-petition supported by Philip Donato MP, Independent Member for Orange. The petition achieved above the 20,000 signatures required for debate in NSW Parliament on the 18th October 2024. The petition called for Parliamentary Inquiries into the NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Mental Health Review Tribunal, essential reforms to Department of Communities and Justice Victims’ Services, and a Coronial Inquest into the circumstances surrounding Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s death.
Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s parents and Advocacy Australia Petitioned for:
1. Parliamentary Inquiries into:
a) NSW Office of Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) handling of Biddy Porter’s case and its accountability under the Charter of Victims Rights, the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013, and ODPP (NSW) Prosecution Guidelines.
b) The Mental Health Review Tribunal’s lack of transparency and accountability having absolute, independent power to release killers back into the community with victims’ families and the community powerless to object.
2. Reform to Victims’ Support Services
Reform the Department of Communities and Justice Victims’ Support Services to increase funding and provide appropriate support for victims of serious crimes.
3. Coronial Inquest into Biddy’s death
An inquest into circumstances surrounding Biddy’s death to prevent similar killings.
ABOUT BRIDGETTE “BIDDY” PORTER
10-year-old Bridgette “Biddy” Porter was the only daughter of Rebekah and Dominic Porter. Known to her loved ones as ‘Biddy’, she was a healthy, happy, creative, intelligent little girl with a fascination about world issues way beyond what might be expected of a ten-year-old child growing up in rural NSW.
An incredibly talented artist for her age, Biddy had created beautiful sculptures, drawings and moving watercolour paintings. Biddy also loved to write insightful stories and poetry about nature, life in the pandemic, and many of her other interests which were extensive.
Biddy was not a ‘girly’ girl who was into wearing frills and lace. Raised in the bush, Biddy loved animals and had a passion for exciting activities and adventures like riding quadbikes – an interest she shared with her father and two older brothers. Life had to be fast and exciting for this creative little Vegemite who was full of beans and up for any challenge. Besides being a happy, creative and energetic little girl, of all Biddy’s personality traits, her loved ones say her dominant characteristic was kindness. Biddy was kind to animals, kind to her friends and school mates and kind to her family. Biddy cared deeply for others and her strength of character and passion to fight injustices saw her challenge bullies who threatened younger children. Biddy would stand her ground and ‘fight the good fight’ to protect other vulnerable children too young, too small or too innocent to defend themselves. Her kind-hearted nature knew no bounds.
Biddy loved to write and in what might be considered unusual for any ten-year-old child, early in life Biddy had a dream to grow up to be a journalist and write important stories to share with the world. Biddy also loved music. One of her favourite songs was ‘Roar’ by Katie Perry. Now, with support from Advocacy Australia, four years after Biddy’s brutal killing her parents have launched a campaign and a NSW Parliamentary e-Petition calling for justice for Biddy with this song the theme that drives them to give their little girl back her voice, so she is no longer silenced.
ABOUT ADVOCACY AUSTRALIA - advocacyaustralia.org.au
Advocacy Australia aims to promote and defend the rights of victims of serious crimes and the families who’ve been affected by horrific circumstances such as murder, suspicious disappearance and abduction, and works to uphold their right to the truth, redress, protection and to be treated with respect and understanding.
In June 2023, Rebekah approached Advocacy Australia appealing for support. The services provided to Rebekah and Dominic are completely un-funded. All are conducted in a pro-bono capacity by Board Directors, Clare Collins (Chair) and Alice Collins (Secretary).
To continue to provide support for victims such as Rebekah and Dominic, funding is desperately needed. A registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission, Advocacy Australia has tax-deductibility status with the ATO.
ABOUT PHILIP DONATO MP - phildonato.com.au
• Member of the Legislative Assembly
• Member for Orange
• Independent
• Chair, Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Crime Commission
• Member, Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety
Philip Donato has served as a member of the New South Wales Parliament since 2016, having first secured the seat of Orange at the November 2016 by-election. To win the seat he broke the National Party hold, which had lasted for nearly 70 years. Phil was convincingly re-elected at the 2019 election and after running as an independent for the first time he won the March 2023 election with a 6.7% swing in his favour.
As an independent Phil enjoys a good relationship with both sides of parliament but ultimately his goal is to ensure the communities of the Orange electorate are well represented. Prior to pursuing politics, Phil served in the NSW police force for 22 years. His career in the police force started in 1995 working around South-West Sydney and the Illawarra.
In 1997 Phil was seconded to Operation Puccini to control the gang and heroin trade in Cabramatta following the political assassination of local MP John Newman.
In 2001 Phil joined to the Police Prosecutions branch and in 2005 he transferred to Orange. Phil’s journey has been shaped by opportunities and a dedication to service. After a 22-year career in the Force, he embraced a new chapter when invited to run for the seat of Orange. Embracing this challenge, Phil saw it as a chance to offer better representation for regional communities. His diverse background equips him with a broad knowledge base and a deep understanding of the people he serves.
A firm believer in the power of community and individual responsibility, Phil has always been committed to helping others. This desire to contribute to his community unexpectedly steered him toward a political path. His experience has honed his ability to look beyond conflicts, engage in meaningful debates, and foster collaborative engagement. Politics, for Phil, is not just about discussing what matters; it’s about being actively involved in shaping it.
A real family man, Phil and his wife Nadia have five adult sons and enjoy plenty of outdoor recreation, sport, and good food. Phil’s family migrated from Italy nearly a century ago and he grew up in Western Sydney where his parents were market gardeners and ran Donato’s Fruit Market. Phil credits his love of community and food to his Italian heritage.
About us:
In June 2023, Rebekah approached Advocacy Australia appealing for support and launched the Justice For Biddy Campaign on the 7th July 2024.
Advocacy Australia aims to promote and defend the rights of victims of serious crimes and the families who’ve been affected by horrific circumstances such as murder, suspicious disappearance and abduction, and works to uphold their right to the truth, redress, protection and to be treated with respect and understanding.
The services provided to Rebekah and Dominic are completely un-funded. All are conducted in a pro-bono capacity by Board Directors, Clare Collins (Chair) and Alice Collins (Secretary). To continue to provide support for victims such as Rebekah and Dominic, funding is desperately needed. A registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission, Advocacy Australia has tax-deductibility status with the ATO.
Contact details:
INTERVIEW REQUESTS
- Phil Donato MP: Mr Brett Cooke - E: Brett.Cooke@parliament.nsw.gov.au M: 0439 210 396
- Clare Collins: Advocacy Australia - E: media@advocacyaustralia.org.au M: 0414 821 957
