Chief Coroner Olivia McTaggart would like to provide you with an update in relation to the Hillcrest matter.
At the Case Management Conference on 24 July 2026, Coroner McTaggart made the following directions (settled in chambers following the Case Management Conference):
1. By 31 July 2026, the Scope of Inquest, identified as Version 3 dated 15 July 2026, be formally distributed to interested parties as the settled Scope of Inquest;
2. By 4 August 2026, the Interested Parties are to advise whether they oppose the Inquest commencing the week of 3 November (rather than the week commencing 21 September 2026);
3. By 11 August 2026, Maurice Blackburn Lawyers are to file with the Court and serve upon the Interested Parties any application in relation to use of the Inquest Disclosure outside of these Coronial proceedings, along with written submissions in support of the application;
4. By 18 August 2026, Interested Parties are to file with the Court any submissions opposing the application made by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers in accordance with direction no. 3;
5. By 11 August 2026, Interested Parties are to advise whether they seek to call any additional expert weather witnesses in response to the Supplementary Report of Dr Earl-Jones dated 23 July 2026;
6. The State make, file and serve with the Court, affidavits from a Senior Representative from the following State Departments within the specified time period:
- Tasmania Police by 17 August 2026;
- Department of Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) by 31 August 2026;
- Ambulance Tasmania by 31 August 2026; and
- Tasmanian Health Service by 31 August 2026.
7. Within 14 days from delivery of the affidavit served by the State as identified in direction no. 6(b), the Interested Parties are to advise whether they seek to call any additional State witnesses of DECYP not already identified in the proposed Witness List dated 10 April 2026; and
8. A further case management conference in this inquest will be held in Hobart at 10:00am on 28 August 2026 and via MS Teams (for interested parties and their legal representation).
Any person wishing to attend via MS Teams is requested to contact the Hobart Registry at coroners.hbt@magistratescourt.tas.gov.au.
Members of the public wishing to observe may do so in person at the Hobart Magistrates Court.