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The Guardian
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Family of some Bondi Junction stabbing victims see ‘major issue' in police handling of information after attack, court hears
The family of some victims of the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing attack believe there is a 'major issue' in the way New South Wales police officers treated confidential information after the incident, a court has heard. Joel Cauchi, 40, killed Ashlee Good, 38, Jade Young, 47, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, and Faraz Tahir, 30, and injured 10 others at the Sydney shopping centre on 13 April 2024 before he was shot and killed by police officer Amy Scott. In the final week of the five-week inquest into the seven deaths, the NSW coroner's court heard that speed and accuracy of information was essential after the incident, to 'report up' on a chain of communication that included the prime minister. The NSW coroner Teresa O'Sullivan heard that police should adhere to a strict set of media policy guidelines and mandated regulations around confidential information such as the identities of victims – but that these rules allowed for discretion. Sue Chrysanthou SC, legal counsel for the families of Good, Young and Singleton, said some of her clients had concerns around the way information was shared after the attack, when a media outlet misidentified the perpetrator and an injured baby was incorrectly reported to have died, the court heard. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email In court on Tuesday, the NSW police assistant commissioner Peter McKenna, appearing as a witness, said that media policy was 'drummed into' officers very early. NSW police's media policy, last updated in 2022, applies to all police officers including the police commissioner, McKenna told the court. The court heard a police regulation regarding confidential information states that officers must not divulge confidential information without the authority to do so. When questioned by Chrysanthou about the role of the police in correcting misinformation that entered the public sphere, Mckenna said that it was not necessarily the responsibility of the police. Chrysanthou suggested, in a case as significant as the Bondi Junction attack, that information should not be given by specific officers to specific members of the media. McKenna agreed. He said that he thought the policies were, 'generally speaking', adequately clear to inform police what they could and could not say to members of the media, but different situations were 'nuanced' and 'not always rigid'. 'Sometimes there's extraordinary circumstances that come into play,' McKenna said, adding that it was up to the individual to justify stepping outside the guidelines. Chrysanthou questioned whether the media policy, as a guideline rather than a regulation, was sufficient. She said her clients were likely to 'seek a recommendation that there not be discretion' around the media policy and sharing of confidential information. 'You're aware some of my clients think there has been a major issue?' Chrysanthou asked McKenna. Earlier on Tuesday, and separate to the inquest proceedings, the 2GB radio host Ray Hadley again claimed he was given information about Singleton's identity following the attack, before her next of kin were informed – contravening police media policy and procedures around informing families after a death. According to comments Hadley made to the Daily Telegraph, and previously on 3AW radio, that confirmation came from the NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb. On Tuesday afternoon, also separate to the inquest proceedings, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission released a statement saying it had investigated an allegation that on the day of the attack, Webb 'breached the NSW Police Force Media Policy by releasing the confidential details of a deceased person to Ray Hadley of 2GB Radio, prior to the deceased's next of kin being notified'. 'The investigation was concluded in March 2025 and the Commission was satisfied that there was no misconduct by the Commissioner of Police in relation to this matter,' the commission stated. In court, McKenna praised chief inspector Christopher Whalley – who took initial lead as 'forward commander' on the day – for his 'calm' and 'sound decisions' made in the midst of 'extraordinarily chaotic, traumatic scenes'. 'As a forward commander, you are well aware when you walk into something like this that you have to have accurate information … you know you have to report up accurately because that will be required as part of your role,' McKenna told the court. Whalley oversaw a 5.30pm interagency briefing that was criticised by an expert witness for being 'too late'. The attack started at 3.33pm and ended when Scott shot Cauchi at 3.38pm. No matter how much training police undertake before an active armed offender incident, McKenna said, 'no one knows how they're going to react until they're actually faced with it'. 'It goes without saying that I think detective inspector Scott performed her duties admirably that day … it is a level of bravery which is right up there with anything I've ever seen,' he said, adding that her actions were 'textbook' and 'absolutely perfect'. He said he had never encountered 'anything' like the mass stabbing at Bondi Junction and that the incident was 'absolutely' difficult to train for. 'We did a lot of training in the years leading up to this. Not only was Amy's response picture perfect but all of the police who went in there that day … acted bravely and appropriately,' he said. 'I sit here very proud.'
Perth Now
08-05-2025
- Perth Now
‘Fear and chaos' as Bondi attack unfolded
A security supervisor has revealed the 'fear and chaos' that unfolded on the day of the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing, saying he wished their team had done better. Six people were killed and 10 others were injured in the attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024. Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia died in the incident. Cauchi, 40, had gone on a rampage through the palatial shopping centre with a WWII knife purchased at a camping store before being gunned down by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott. A five-week coronial inquest into the deadly stabbing began last Monday, with the first week revealing never-before-heard details about the incident. Scentre Group operate a string of Westfields across Australia including Bondi Junction. The nature, timing, and adequacy of the response by Scentre Group and its subcontractors Glad Group and Falkon Security will also be examined in the inquest. A security guard and security supervisor working at the centre at the time told the court he wished things had been done differently as the fatal rampage unfolded. 'I wish I …did more to help those people,' he said. Bondi stabbing victims (top l-r) Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Cheng Yixuan, (bottom l-r) Faraz Tahir, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia. Credit: Supplied 'We are trained for these, we go through training, and it's good training … but you're in a fight or flight mode. 'But yeah, (upon) reflection I wish we did better — I wish we did different.' He told the court he wished they had been able to tell customers about the situation 'straight away', and that the centre management emergency override (CMEO) was activated sooner. The man paid credit to his team and said only two members had been able to return to full-time work, saying what they had all gone through weighed heavily on his mind. Bondi killer Joel Cauchi was shot dead by Inspector Amy Scott. Supplied. Credit: Supplied 'What we went through on that day was truly traumatic, and not everyone understands the fear and chaos we went through,' he told the court. He thanked team members for doing CPR and getting people to safety as best they could. 'I know that some of you are still carrying the weight of that day, and life hasn't been the same since,' he said. 'I see your strength, I recognise your pain, and I'm truly grateful to every single one of you — thank you for being there with me.' Newly released CCTV has captured the moment killer Joel Cauchi was pulled over for erratic driving in 2021, years before the fatal attack at Westfield Bondi Junction. The court was earlier told there were two staff members in the CCTV control room on level 4 on the afternoon of the attack, however, one had left about 3pm with his supervisor to undertake training on level 13 while the other left at 3.32pm to go to the bathroom. This meant there was 'no active CCTV monitoring in place' for the minute and forty seconds she was outside the room, and exactly 40 seconds later Cauchi attacked Ms Singleton, counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer SC earlier told the court. By the time the woman re-entered the control room Cauchi had attacked eight people, three of whom later died. The second security employee re-entered the CCTV control room by 3.36pm, however, all 16 people had been stabbed by then. Ms Dwyer said it appeared the CCTV room being vacant at that time impeded Scentre Group's response. 'Security staff were effectively behind the 8-ball – that is, they were then playing catch-up, catch up to understand what was unfolding,' Ms Dwyer said. An evacuation alert was used rather than one that warned of an AAO, and Ms Dwyer said it appeared appropriately warning customers and staff 'did not occur promptly' or 'in the way it should've done' on the day. mental health support
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Perth Now
‘Code black': Radio call in Bondi attack
Radio calls warning 'lots of blood you need to hurry', have been aired in court as new details of a fatal stabbing attack at Bondi Junction Westfield emerge. Six people were killed and 10 others were injured in the attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024. Dawn Singleton, Yixuan Cheng, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia died in the incident. Cauchi, 40, had gone on a rampage through the palatial shopping centre with a WWII knife purchased at a camping store before being gunned down by NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott. A five-week coronial inquest into the deadly stabbing began last Monday, with the first week revealing never-before-heard details about the incident. Scentre Group operate a string of Westfields across Australia including Bondi Junction. The nature, timing, and adequacy of the response by Scentre Group and its subcontractors Glad Group and Falkon Security will also be examined in the inquest. Scentre Group retail manager Joseph Gaerlan gave evidence in court on Tuesday, where it was revealed he had heard a radio broadcast while he was in the bathroom in the centre management office. Bondi stabbing victims (top l-r) Dawn Singleton, Ashlee Good, Cheng Yixuan, (bottom l-r) Faraz Tahir, Jade Young and Pikria Darchia. Credit: Supplied 'Code black, code black alpha, there's lots of blood — you need to hurry,' was broadcast over the radio, though he said no location was given. He told the court a code black indicates a threat, while alpha is to escalate that. In the days after the attack he'd recalled hearing there was a man with a knife over the radio and a possible fatality, however he has since amended this statement upon reviewing CCTV of his actions on the day. 'This recollection was taken three days after the incident had taken place …(it was) such a blur for myself,' Mr Gaerlan told the court. 'I was highly emotional and highly stressed at the time and maybe my mind thought that happened.' If he had heard there was a man with a knife and a possible fatality, he said it would've been 'almost certain it was an active armed offender (AAO) situation' and there would have been a 'very different reaction'. The court was shown CCTV footage of Mr Gaerlan rushing out of the bathroom where he saw other staffing heading down to the centre. He went back to his desk to grab his blazer before going to the lifts and then walking towards the mall to see what was going on. CCTV played in court showed him walking through the mall where a number of customers gather around him asking what was happening, as retailers were also closing their shutters. The customers all appeared calm: no announcements had been made at that stage. While walking towards the level five air bridge he heard a security controller say 'code black, there's an active armed offender, contact blue lights immediately, we need urgent backup' over the radio. Joel Cauchi was shot by Inspector Amy Scott. Supplied. Credit: Supplied This was the first time he had heard there was an active armed offender. He 'turned on his heel' after hearing this and ran the other way, broadcasting to the control room asking to confirm police had been contacted and to make PA announcements for an AAO situation. The court was told he then returned to the centre management office to review CCTV, but upon realising it would take too long to find his logins, he again left the office to head to the CCTV control room. Customers were seen rushing into the lift Mr Gaerlan had taken. He was on the phone to the regional manager when he entered the control room about 3.40pm — about seven minutes after the attack began — and then had an exchange with one of the operators in the control room. 'I still did not have eyes on the situation, I recall being frustrated,' he told the court, saying he had asked if they knew the location, how many offenders and what weapons were involved. 'I was not provided with an answer at this time,' he said. Another controller was able to flick through footage and determine there was only one offender. 'When the male confirmed … there was one offender, he showed me on the CCTV that a male in a green jersey was on the ground,' he said. However it was unclear whether information of there being a single offender was relayed to police at the time. No staff in CCTV control room when attack began The court was earlier told there were two staff members in the CCTV control room on level 4 on the afternoon of the attack, however, one had left about 3pm with his supervisor to undertake training on level 13. The other left the room at about 3.32pm to go to the bathroom just metres outside the control room, meaning there was 'no active CCTV monitoring in place' for the minute and forty seconds she was outside the room. 'It just so happened that exactly 40 seconds after …(she) left for the bathroom … Mr Cauchi attacked Ms Singleton,' counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer SC last week told the court. 'And over the next 30 seconds, Cauchi attacked a further six individuals.' When she re-entered the control room at about 3.33pm Cauchi had attacked eight people by then, three of whom later died. The second security employee re-entered the CCTV control room by 3.36pm, however, all 16 people had been stabbed by then. Ms Dwyer said it appeared the CCTV room being vacant at that time impeded Scentre Group's response. 'Security staff were effectively behind the 8-ball – that is, they were then playing catch-up, catch up to understand what was unfolding,' Ms Dwyer said. Ms Dwyer said available evidence suggested initial contact and information exchanged between the control room and emergency services took place about 10 minutes after Cauchi was shot, and that an alert wasn't activated until about 3.39pm. An evacuation alert was appeared to be used rather than one that warned of an active armed offender (AAO). Bondi killer Joel Cauchi. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Later attempts to correct this were unsuccessful because of the evacuation alert in place, Ms Dwyer said. She said it also appeared appropriately warning customers and staff 'did not occur promptly' on the day of the attack, and 'did not occur in the way it should've done'. The first public announcement of an evacuation, rather than an AAO, was also not made until 3.52pm from the fire control room, which was located externally to the CCTV control room. Ms Dwyer said the control operator tasked with making the announcement was 'distressed and distraught', leading people to be unsure whether she had been taken hostage or was making the announcement 'under duress'. The PA told bystanders to evacuate now, while shop attendants told bystanders they should not evacuate. Police also appeared to be under advice that people should remain in place. Ms Dwyer said the operator read 'verbatim' from a script in a 'distressed voice … in a way that may have led to confusion'. 'Firstly Mr Cauchi had been shot about 15 minutes prior, so it's not suggested that level of confusion at that stage … made a difference to who could've survived,' Ms Dwyer said. 'Secondly, clearly these are individuals who've never been through something like this before, so its natural that stress … is overwhelming, or might be. 'But it is important, in our respectful submission, to learn from the mistakes that have been made here.' Many customers and first responders reported the alarms set off were extremely loud and had impaired communications. Ms Dwyer said communications from the CCTV control room to both security staff and first responders might appear 'ineffective', but it was 'in part exacerbated by issues' faced by NSW Police and NSW Ambulance first responders. She said if Inspector Scott had not been on the scene so quickly there was a 'real possibility' Cauchi's attack could have continued on. 'I expect Your Honor will hear that there have been proactive steps already taken to remedy some of the issues outlined,' Ms Dwyer said. She noted the involved parties were also open to hearing other suggestions.
The Age
27-04-2025
- The Age
Bondi Junction Inquest LIVE updates: Hero cop among witnesses to give evidence in first week
Go to latest What you need to know Watch the inquest live here from 10am (AEST) Welcome to our live coverage of the first day of the Bondi Junction Inquest. The opening address of counsel assisting the inquest, Peggy Dwyer, SC, begins at 10am and is being live-streamed on YouTube. The inquest will run until Friday, May 30. State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan is examining the circumstances in which Joel Cauchi, who had a long history of mental illness, killed six people at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024, before being shot dead by police. Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Faraz Tahir, 30, and Pikria Darchia, 55, were killed during Cauchi's three-minute knife attack. A further 10 people were injured. The inquest is being held in Court 1 of the Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex in Lidcombe. The court has said it will take a trauma-informed approach to conducting these hearings, including setting up a cordon around the entry to allow family and friends to enter the building without engaging with the media if they wish. 9.29am The media response One of the issues that will be examined by the inquest, at the request of some of the families whose loved ones died in the attack, is the media response to the incident and the impact of reporting on them. Loading Sydney barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, is acting for the families of Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Dawn Singleton (excluding Dawn's father, adman John Singleton). 'A number of families have reported their significant distress at graphic footage being shown in the media,' counsel assisting the inquest, Peggy Dwyer, SC, said during a preliminary hearing earlier this month. 'All I can do ... is implore the media to be sensitive and thoughtful to the wishes of the family and to understand that a specific issue has been added at the request of families because it has been so distressing so far. [The] media might want to reflect whether it is in the interests of the public to replay again and again that graphic footage, because that will not be played in this court, it is not in the brief of evidence and it may not be in the public interest to replay it. But that is not in [the state coroner's] control, and the media will have to reflect deeply on that, we hope.' 9.25am The security response Counsel assisting the inquest has said that 'the nature and timing of the response of Scentre Group, which manages Westfield, and the security contractors, Glad Group and Falcon Security, when the events unfolded on 13 April' will also be examined. This includes a consideration of 'the first point in time when staff in the CCTV or control room at Westfield Bondi Junction became aware of an active armed offender in the centre', the communication between security staff and the options available to them.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Bondi Junction Inquest LIVE updates: Hero cop among witnesses to give evidence in first week
Go to latest What you need to know Watch the inquest live here from 10am (AEST) Welcome to our live coverage of the first day of the Bondi Junction Inquest. The opening address of counsel assisting the inquest, Peggy Dwyer, SC, begins at 10am and is being live-streamed on YouTube. The inquest will run until Friday, May 30. State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan is examining the circumstances in which Joel Cauchi, who had a long history of mental illness, killed six people at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024, before being shot dead by police. Ashlee Good, 38, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Yixuan Cheng, 27, Faraz Tahir, 30, and Pikria Darchia, 55, were killed during Cauchi's three-minute knife attack. A further 10 people were injured. The inquest is being held in Court 1 of the Forensic Medicine and Coroners Court Complex in Lidcombe. The court has said it will take a trauma-informed approach to conducting these hearings, including setting up a cordon around the entry to allow family and friends to enter the building without engaging with the media if they wish. 9.29am The media response One of the issues that will be examined by the inquest, at the request of some of the families whose loved ones died in the attack, is the media response to the incident and the impact of reporting on them. Loading Sydney barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, is acting for the families of Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Dawn Singleton (excluding Dawn's father, adman John Singleton). 'A number of families have reported their significant distress at graphic footage being shown in the media,' counsel assisting the inquest, Peggy Dwyer, SC, said during a preliminary hearing earlier this month. 'All I can do ... is implore the media to be sensitive and thoughtful to the wishes of the family and to understand that a specific issue has been added at the request of families because it has been so distressing so far. [The] media might want to reflect whether it is in the interests of the public to replay again and again that graphic footage, because that will not be played in this court, it is not in the brief of evidence and it may not be in the public interest to replay it. But that is not in [the state coroner's] control, and the media will have to reflect deeply on that, we hope.' 9.25am The security response Counsel assisting the inquest has said that 'the nature and timing of the response of Scentre Group, which manages Westfield, and the security contractors, Glad Group and Falcon Security, when the events unfolded on 13 April' will also be examined. This includes a consideration of 'the first point in time when staff in the CCTV or control room at Westfield Bondi Junction became aware of an active armed offender in the centre', the communication between security staff and the options available to them.
