Matthew Hickey (led by E Wilson QC) appeared for the Attorney-General, who (as intervener) successfully resisted an application for judicial review of a Coroner’s findings that it was likely that the applicant had killed Rachel Antonio (a schoolgirl who disappeared from Bowen on Anzac Day in 1998), secreted her body, then later disposed of it.
The applicant’s case was twofold:
- First, it was argued that the Coroner had improperly convened and conducted an inquest into Ms Antonio’s “suspected death”, by proceeding under the incorrect Act;
- Second, it was argued that the Coroner had made an error of law, by making findings for which (the applicant argued) there was insufficient evidence.
Applegarth J rejected both arguments and dismissed the application.
The judgment can be read by clicking here