Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes

Led by the Honourable Justice John Sackar (the Commissioner), the Inquiry was provided extensive powers to undertake its work, including the authority to compel witnesses to give evidence and to compel the production of documents.

In a series of public and private hearings, the deaths of 32 people were examined in detail, with a team of independent barristers, solicitors and investigators scrutinising more than 150,000 documents drawn from 40 years of police files, coronial files, and other sources in relation to LGBTIQ hate-related deaths.

The Inquiry also looked at social, legal and cultural factors affecting the LGBTIQ community, as well as the nature of the relationship between the LGBTIQ community and the NSW Police Force.

The landmark review concluded with the delivery of the final report to Governor Margaret Beazley and Premier Chris Minns on 18 December 2023.