Bondi Junction stabbings: warrantless ‘wanding’ among recommendations considered by NSW coroner

Following the tragic Bondi Junction mass stabbing, the NSW state coroner is reviewing 22 draft recommendations aimed at bolstering public safety and mental health support. Proposals include granting police permanent powers to randomly "wand" individuals for weapons, establishing a 24/7 mental health information service, and expanding the multi-agency Pacer crisis response model statewide. The inquest, which examined attacker Joel Cauchi's mental health care, also suggests stricter protocols for weaning schizophrenia patients off medication and addressing housing for those with mental health challenges. These measures seek to prevent future tragedies and improve systemic responses.

In the wake of the devastating mass stabbing at Westfield Bondi Junction on April 13, 2024, which claimed the lives of six innocent people and the perpetrator, Joel Cauchi, the New South Wales coronial inquest is drawing to a close. The tragedy sent shockwaves across Australia, prompting a deep examination of public safety protocols, mental health support systems, and the intersection of the two. As the inquest concludes, Senior Counsel assisting the coroner, Dr. Peggy Dwyer SC, has put forth a comprehensive list of 22 draft recommendations, which will now be meticulously considered by State Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan. These proposals aim to forge a safer future, addressing critical gaps exposed by the horrific events.

Enhancing Public Safety: The "Wanding" Debate

Among the most significant and potentially contentious recommendations is the call for permanent police powers to randomly "wand" individuals for weapons. Recommendation 17, evocatively titled “The Knife,” specifically suggests assessing a trial of warrantless "wanding" in NSW, with a view to extending it to "crowded places" or even making it a permanent fixture of policing. This proposal directly stems from the fact that Joel Cauchi carried out his attack with a hunting knife, highlighting the devastating potential of bladed weapons in public spaces.

The concept of "wanding" – where police use handheld metal detectors to scan people for concealed weapons – has been debated extensively in various jurisdictions. Proponents argue it's a vital tool for deterring and detecting weapons, particularly in high-traffic areas where large crowds gather. They point to the success of similar measures in securing major events or transport hubs, enhancing a sense of security for the public. However, civil liberties advocates often raise concerns about privacy, potential for discrimination, and the erosion of individual freedoms, arguing that such powers must be balanced against the rights of law-abiding citizens. The coroner's consideration will undoubtedly weigh these complex factors, seeking a solution that prioritises public safety without unduly infringing on civil liberties.

Overhauling Mental Health Support Systems: A Holistic Approach

A significant portion of the recommendations focuses on reforming and bolstering mental health support, acknowledging the complex role mental health challenges played in the Bondi Junction incident. The inquest heard harrowing details about Joel Cauchi’s history with schizophrenia and the critical period leading up to the attack, particularly concerning his medication management.

A 24/7 Real-Time Information Service

One pivotal proposal is the establishment of a "real-time, 24/7 mental health information sharing and advice service that is not geographically bound" within NSW. This ambitious service aims to provide immediate, expert mental health support to police officers responding to crises, helping them make informed decisions about care and coordinating crucial follow-up actions. The current system often sees police officers, who are not mental health specialists, on the front lines of mental health emergencies, frequently without immediate access to comprehensive information or expert guidance. A centralised, always-on service could be a game-changer, ensuring that individuals experiencing mental health crises receive appropriate, timely, and coordinated care, potentially de-escalating situations before they turn tragic.

Expanding the Pacer Model Statewide

Further strengthening crisis response, Dr. Dwyer also proposed making Pacer (Police and Clinician Emergency Response) a statewide model. Pacer is a multi-agency program that pairs police officers with mental health clinicians to respond jointly to mental health-related emergencies. Currently operating in parts of NSW, Pacer has demonstrated considerable success in de-escalating situations, reducing hospitalisations, and connecting individuals with appropriate mental health services, rather than relying solely on law enforcement intervention. Expanding this collaborative model across the entire state would ensure a more consistent, compassionate, and effective response to mental health crises, leveraging the expertise of both emergency services and healthcare professionals.

Medication Management and Relapse Prevention

A critical area of scrutiny during the inquest was Joel Cauchi’s medication regimen. The court heard that his former psychiatrist, Dr. Andrea Boros-Lavack, had weaned him off his schizophrenia medication in her Toowoomba private practice in 2019. The inquest delved into the risks of relapse into psychosis and the protocols surrounding his discharge into the care of his GP. In response, a recommendation calls for a "prompt" amendment to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ (RANZCP) guidelines on the management of schizophrenia and related disorders. This includes the suggestion of a new, robust protocol for "desubscribing" antipsychotic medication.

Weaning patients off antipsychotic medication is a complex process that requires careful monitoring and a structured approach to minimise the risk of relapse. For individuals with severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, abrupt cessation or poorly managed reduction can have severe consequences, including a return of psychotic symptoms. The proposed amendment to RANZCP guidelines underscores the critical need for standardised, evidence-based protocols that ensure patient safety, comprehensive follow-up, and clear communication between specialists and general practitioners, particularly when transitioning care.

Addressing Systemic Gaps: Housing and Homelessness

Beyond immediate crisis response, the recommendations also tackle broader systemic issues that impact vulnerable individuals. One proposal directs the NSW housing and mental health minister to model the need for short-term accommodation in Sydney for people grappling with mental health challenges and homelessness. This recommendation acknowledges the undeniable link between stable housing and mental well-being. Individuals experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected by mental illness, and a lack of safe, temporary accommodation can exacerbate their conditions, making it harder to access and maintain treatment. Providing adequate short-term housing is a crucial step towards breaking this cycle, offering stability and a pathway to recovery and integration.

Media Ethics in Crisis Reporting

Finally, the inquest has not overlooked the profound impact of mass casualty incidents on victims, their families, and the wider public, extending its recommendations to the Australian Press Council. A single, yet significant, proposal calls for balancing the imperative of accurate reporting of such incidents against the distress caused by that reporting. This recommendation highlights the delicate tightrope media organisations walk during tragedies – the public has a right to know, but this must be weighed against the potential for re-traumatisation, the spread of misinformation, and the need for respectful coverage of grief. It encourages a thoughtful approach to journalism that prioritises both truth and compassion.

A Path Forward

As the final submissions conclude, the 22 draft recommendations represent a comprehensive attempt to learn from the Bondi Junction tragedy and implement meaningful, lasting change. From fortifying police powers and revolutionising mental health crisis responses to refining medication protocols and addressing systemic issues like homelessness, these proposals aim to create a more resilient, responsive, and compassionate society. The ultimate decisions by Coroner Teresa O’Sullivan will undoubtedly shape public policy and practice in New South Wales for years to come, with the hope of preventing such devastating events from ever recurring.