The families of those killed in the Bondi Junction stabbings have backed a coronial inquest after the father of one victim called for it to be shelved. The inquiry will examine every aspect of the tragedy including whether it could have been avoided.
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00:00It was a day of horror and heartbreak. In just three minutes, six people were killed
00:13when Joel Couchie went on a stabbing spree at Bondi Junction's Westfield in April last
00:18year. He was only stopped when Police Inspector Amy Scott shot him dead. Today, a preliminary
00:25hearing into the attack heard the families of those killed supported a coronial inquest,
00:31but one remains opposed. 25-year-old Dawn Singleton was killed while shopping for her
00:36wedding. Her father, John Singleton, wants the inquest scrapped. Council assistant Peggy
00:42Dwyer told the court families can't be expected to be spoken for with one voice. We are committed
00:49to a process that ensures all voices are heard. The inquest will investigate failings in the
00:55mental health system after it was revealed Couchie stopped taking medication for schizophrenia.
01:01It will also examine the effect of media coverage. The families I represent were adversely impacted
01:08by some members of the media in the minutes, hours and days after the tragedy occurred.
01:15They continue to be impacted. The court heard the inquest will take a trauma-informed approach,
01:22meaning no CCTV or body cam footage will be played in the open court and only two civilian
01:28witnesses will testify. The inquest resumes later this month.