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Coronial Inquest into Bridgette "Biddy" Porter's Death to commence on 16 June 2026

Advocacy Australia

Key Facts:

• A coronial inquest into the killing of 10-year-old Bridgette Biddy Porter will be held on 16–18 June 2026 at the Coroners Court of New South Wales in Lidcombe, conducted by NSW State Coroner Magistrate O'Sullivan.
• The inquest was requested by Advocacy Australia on behalf of Biddy's parents, with support from Independent MP Philip Donato, as part of the Justice for Biddy campaign.
• The Justice for Biddy campaign has also prompted the NSW government to announce a Parliamentary Inquiry into the forensic division of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT), to be conducted by the NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety.
• The Parliamentary Inquiry will examine recent changes to laws relating to forensic patients, implementation of 2018 review recommendations, and the MHRT's approach to balancing patient treatment, victim support, and community safety; submissions close on 6 July 2026.
• Advocacy Australia, a registered charity operating on a pro-bono basis, aims to defend the rights of victims of serious crimes and their families.

Coronial Inquest into Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s Death to commence on 16 June 2026

Clare Collins, Chair of Advocacy Australia said, “It is hoped that through the coronial inquest Biddy’s loved ones will learn what led to Biddy’s horrific killing, and that the knowledge gained through this inquest might help prevent other similar killings.”

The request to Her Honour Magistrate O’Sullivan and the Office of the Coroner was issued as part of Advocacy Australia’s Justice for Biddy campaign.

The Justice for Biddy campaign has also led to the NSW government announcing on 9 June 2026, a Parliamentary Inquiry into the forensic division of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT).

The NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety, a committee of members of Parliament appointed to assist Parliament to perform its functions will conduct the inquiry on dates to be announced.

Submissions by registered victims and/or representatives and stakeholders to the inquiry close on Monday 6 July 2026 – 2 days prior to the 6th anniversary of Biddy’s death.

The inquiry will look at systemic process issues and will not be reconsidering Tribunal decision about specific cases. The inquiry will consider the operations of the forensic division of the MHRT, in particular relating to:

• recent changes to the law relating to forensic patients
• implementation of the recommendations of a 2018 review of the MHRT
• the Tribunal’s approach to the case management of forensic patients and whether it is effective in balancing patient treatment needs, victim support, and community safety and other related matters

The inquiry terms of reference are available on the inquiry webpage.

-ENDS-

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• Phil Donato MP: Mr Brett Cooke - E: [email protected] M: 0439 210 396
• Clare Collins: Advocacy Australia - E: [email protected].au  M: 0414 821 957

 

LINKS

• Media Centre - Vision, photographs of Biddy, Mrs Rebekah Keukenmeester, Mr Dominic Porter, Mr Philip Donato MP and Ms Clare Collins: https://bit.ly/JusticeForBiddy-MediaCentre
• NOTE: New additions of images to media centre.

 

 

BIDDY’S PARENT’S AUTHORITY TO RELEASE INFORMATION TO MEDIA

Since 2024, the information, photographs and vision made available to media for publication has been issued with the consent of Bridgette “Biddy” Porter’s senior available next of kin – Mrs Rebekah Keukenmeester (mother) and Mr Dominic Porter (father), for publication under section 15E of the Children’s (Criminal Proceedings) Act 1987 (NSW) - 15E Exception where child deceased (1) This Division does not prohibit the publication or broadcasting of the name of a deceased child with the consent of a senior available next of kin of the child.

ABOUT BRIDGETTE “BIDDY” PORTER

10-year-old Bridgette “Biddy” Porter was the only daughter of Rebekah and Dominic Porter. Known to her loved ones as ‘Biddy’, she was a healthy, happy, creative, intelligent little girl with a fascination about world issues way beyond what might be expected of a ten-year-old child growing up in rural NSW.

An incredibly talented artist for her age, Biddy had created beautiful sculptures, drawings and moving watercolour paintings. Biddy also loved to write insightful stories and poetry about nature, life in the pandemic, and many of her other interests which were extensive. Biddy was not a ‘girly’ girl who was into wearing frills and lace. Raised in the bush, Biddy loved animals and had a passion for exciting activities and adventures like riding quadbikes – an interest she shared with her father and two older brothers. Life had to be fast and exciting for this creative little Vegemite who was full of beans and up for any challenge.  Besides being a happy, creative and energetic little girl, of all Biddy’s personality traits, her loved ones say her dominant characteristic was kindness. Biddy was kind to animals, kind to her friends and school mates and kind to her family. Biddy cared deeply for others and her strength of character and passion to fight injustices saw her challenge bullies who threatened younger children. Biddy would stand her ground and ‘fight the good fight’ to protect other vulnerable children too young, too small or too innocent to defend themselves. Her kind-hearted nature knew no bounds.

Biddy loved to write and in what might be considered unusual for any ten-year-old child, early in life Biddy had a dream to grow up to be a journalist and write important stories to share with the world. Biddy also loved music. One of her favourite songs was ‘Roar’ by Katie Perry. Now, with support from Advocacy Australia, four years after Biddy’s brutal killing her parents have launched a campaign and a NSW Parliamentary e-Petition calling for justice for Biddy with this song the theme that drives them to give their little girl back her voice, so she is no longer silenced.

ABOUT ADVOCACY AUSTRALIA - advocacyaustralia.org.au

Advocacy Australia aims to promote and defend the rights of victims of serious crimes and the families who’ve been affected by horrific circumstances such as murder, suspicious disappearance and abduction, and works to uphold their right to the truth, redress, protection and to be treated with respect and understanding.

In June 2023, Rebekah approached Advocacy Australia appealing for support. The services provided to Biddy’s parents have been completely un-funded. All are conducted in a pro-bono capacity by Board Directors, Clare Collins (Chair) and Alice Collins (Secretary).

Advocacy Australia is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission and has tax-deductibility status with the ATO.

ABOUT PHILIP DONATO MP - phildonato.com.au

Mr Philip Donato MP has served as a member of the New South Wales Parliament since 2016. He is the Independent Member for Orange, a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Chair, Committee on the Ombudsman, the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and the Crime Commission, and is a Member of the Legislative Assembly Committee on Law and Safety.

Mr Philip Donato has provided invaluable support to local constituent, Mrs Rebekah Keukenmeester since 2023 and sponsored the NSW Government e-petition that led to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the forensic division of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT).

Contact details:

INTERVIEW REQUESTS

• Phil Donato MP: Mr Brett Cooke - E: [email protected] M: 0439 210 396
• Clare Collins: Advocacy Australia - E: [email protected].au  M: 0414 821 957
• Media Centre – Vision & photographs : https://bit.ly/AdOz-MHRT-Inquiry