Coronial inquests and public inquiries: informing and influencing policy
December 2019
NDRI researchers regularly contribute to parliamentary and other inquiries, via submissions outlining the evidence base, personal appearances, or both.
2019 has been a particular busy year, with NDRI contributing expertise and evidence to several state and federal parliamentary inquiries, including the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug ‘Ice’, preventing and responding to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD), lockout laws and the ‘night time economy’ in Sydney, and, in separate inquiries, regulation of cannabis use and kava importation.
Most recently, NDRI researchers outlined the evidence around pill testing and use of sniffer dogs to a coronial inquest into the deaths of six patrons at NSW music festivals. Following a detailed submission, they were asked to appear in person.
Those researchers, and their research, were cited extensively in the coroner’s report, reflecting both the value of NDRI’s contribution and, more broadly, why the Institute places significant value on contributing to such public inquiries, which influence and inform alcohol and other drug policy in Australia.
