The NSW Government says it will carefully consider the State Coroner’s recommendations from the 2024 Westfield Bondi Junction mass stabbing, following the handing down of the coronial inquest findings today.
On April 13, 2024, a knife-wielding Joel Cauchi murdered six people – Yixuan Cheng, Pikria Darchia, Ashlee Good, Faraz Tahir, Dawn Singleton and Jade Young – and injured a further 10 while “floridly psychotic”.
He was shot dead by NSW Police Inspector, Amy Scott, after she entered the shopping centre just minutes after the attack began.
State Coroner, Teresa O’Sullivan, released her final report today after a five-week inquest. It contains 23 recommendations, 12 of which relate to the NSW Government, these include:
- Considering options to support the roll-out of appropriate co-responder models so that they are more widely available throughout NSW;
- Monitoring and assessing the trial of the amendments to the Law Enforcement Powers and Responsibilities Act 2002 (NSW) in respect of ‘wanding’;
- Promoting, by way of an advertising campaign, the principles of ‘Escape. Hide. Tell’.
The Government says it will now assess how the recommendations can be implemented to further strengthen the state’s mental health system and improve community safety.
“This will be a difficult day for many, particularly for the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured, first responders, and everyone in the Bondi community whose lives were changed forever,” said NSW Premier, Chris Minns.
“We will now carefully consider the Coroner’s recommendations and work to implement measures that strengthen our mental health system and community safety.”
NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley said the Government thanked the Coroner for her thorough investigation and findings.
“We will take the time to consider the recommendations before formally responding,” he said.
Since the tragedy, the NSW Government has undertaken work to identify systemic contributors and take proactive steps to address them, including the delivery of a $111 million package to strengthen community mental health services.
This included leading national work to establish a principles-based framework to improve interjurisdictional information sharing for both voluntary and involuntary mental health consumers. In September 2025, all Ministers for Health and Ministers for Mental Health across Australia formally endorsed the framework, reflecting a shared national commitment to safer, more connected mental health systems.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to supporting people with complex mental health concerns to access support services,” said Minister for Mental Health, Rose Jackson.
“We’ve taken immediate action in the aftermath of the Bondi Junction tragedy to strengthen community mental health supports and improve information sharing across all Australian jurisdictions, but there is always more work to do,” she said.
The Coroner also recommended the Council for the Australian Bravery Decorations consider appropriate awards in recognition of the actions of Inspector Amy Scott, Noel McLaughlin, Damien Guerot, Silas Despreaux and, posthumously, Ashlee Good.
