Dear Editor,
Last week, the coronial inquest into the horrific killing of 10-year-old Bridgette “Biddy” Porter heard how she was a bright, kind, creative little girl whose life was heinously taken by a young person she trusted.
Before Advocacy Australia’s and Biddy’s parents “Justice for Biddy” campaign, no one outside her family’s circle knew her precious face, her name or how special Biddy was.
Today, thanks to thousands who refused to look away, Biddy’s once-silenced voice roars far and wide, calling for justice for all victims of heinous crimes through an inquiry into the practices and operations of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT).
But Biddy’s family is not alone. Just like Biddy’s family, the family of 18-year-old Emerald Wardle and many others, share the pain and ongoing trauma of having been thrust into an extraordinary fight – often left without adequate information, without standing, and without a voice while forced to relive their nightmare every six months through MHRT hearings.
The MHRT is an independent, autonomous authority who victims say prioritises the rights of forensic killers over the rights of the families of their victims with some fearing their safety and the safety of the wider community could be compromised.
For years, grieving families have felt silenced in their dealings with the MHRT.
Many have said they feel robbed of their rights in their dealings with the MHRT and are made to feel like the perpetrators of heinous crimes rather than the living victims who have lost loved ones to forensic killers.
On 9 June 2026, the NSW Government announced a long-awaited inquiry into the forensic division of the Tribunal – a hard-won moment of hope. The Committee on Law and Safety will examine how the system operates and where it fails. But it can only understand what is broken if it hears from those who have lived it.
Around 300 forensic patients fall under the MHRT’s jurisdiction each year – that’s hundreds of grieving families from across the state, many carrying experiences they have never been able to voice.
Their submissions could be the difference between a system that keeps failing victims and one that finally treats them with the dignity, respect and transparency they deserve, while protecting the wider community.
Submissions close on Monday 6 July 2026, so there’s only a small window of opportunity for victims to have their voices heard.
To all registered victims and stakeholders who’ve experienced the MHRT, we encourage all to make a written submission before 6 July 2026 via the NSW Parliament website to finally have your voices heard – bit.ly/MHRT-Inquiry – or google MHRT Parliament Inquiry.
This is a rare opportunity that may take years to come again. Please don’t let it pass.
Clare Collins
Chair, Advocacy Australia