Chief Coroner Olivia McTaggart would like to provide you with an update in relation to the Hillcrest matter.
The first tranche of hearings for the coronial inquest was held at the Paranaple Centre, Devonport between 21 and 25 September 2026.
A hearing is to be held on the 26 October 2026 at 10.00am in the Hobart Magistrates Court and via MS Teams (for interested parties and their legal representation).
Any interested parties or their legal representation 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.
The coronial inquest is scheduled to recommence on 3 November 2026 and will be held on 3, 5 and 6 November 2026 at the Paranaple Centre, Devonport, commencing at 10.00 am each day. Members of the public wishing to observe may do so in person at the Paranaple Centre in Devonport.
At the conclusion of the first hearing block on 25 September 2026, her Honour made the following directions:
1.The Application to call one or more of the witnesses referred to in the submissions of counsel for the families dated 23 September 2026, be adjourned to 9 October 2026 at 10.00am in the Hobart Magistrates Court, with leave given to Counsel to appear via video-link; and
2.Interested Parties are to file any further submissions and evidence to be relied upon in respect of the Application, 48 hours prior to the hearing at 10.00am on 9 October 2026 (that being by Wednesday 7 October at 10.00am) including the medical evidence relating to the relative fitness of the respective witnesses to give evidence or any supports required for those witnesses.
Chief Coroner Olivia McTaggart made a non-publication order in respect of the application as follows:
Under s57 (1) of the Coroners Act 1995, and until further order, I order that a report or proceedings of the inquest, relating only to the application to call witnesses made at the inquest on 25 September 2026 by counsel for the families, and subsequent court proceedings and submissions dealing with that application:
That the identities, addresses or contact details of the following persons are not published;
Further, I order that a report or proceedings of the inquest, relating only to the application by Counsel for X and Y concerning their medical fitness to give evidence, that the identities, addresses or contact details of the following persons not be published;
Please contact the Coronial Division for further information.