Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
National

SA government will accept all recommendations from coronial inquest into Hillier murders

SA's Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard acknowledged "failures by successive governments". (ABC News)

The South Australian government has accepted all recommendations outlined in a report that found the deaths of two children could have been prevented if child protection authorities had intervened.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the images and names of deceased persons.

The report, handed down yesterday, found the Child Protection Department was aware Amber Rose Rigney, 6, and Korey Lee Mitchell, 5, were living in a "dysfunctional" home but did not act until "it was too late". 

The two children and their mother, Adeline Yvette Rigney, were murdered by her partner Steven Graham Peet at their Hillier home in 2016.

South Australia's newly installed Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard announced today that the government would "accept and implement" all the recommendations in Deputy State Coroner Anthony Schapel's report.

Korey Lee Mitchell and Amber Rose were killed at their Hillier home. (Supplied)

"Reading this report was really, really harrowing and again my thoughts are with the family," she said.

Ms Hildyard said a review into previous child protection recommendations, as suggested by Mr Schapel, and a "plan for any implementation of change" would happen this year.

She also said the government would "ensure adequate resourcing" for staff to be able to fulfil their statutory obligations.

Cathy Taylor said the report showed "a system under pressure". (ABC News)

Ms Hildyard acknowledged "failures by successive governments" in child protection.

Ms Hildyard said she had spoken with the children's grandparents and asked to meet with them.

"I hear their frustration, I really do hear that, and I want to do better for them," she said.

"And I'm looking forward to meeting with them and just listening to them."

SA Department of Child Protection chief executive Cathy Taylor said she was committed to making changes.

"I think we would be the first to admit we really missed opportunities in this space in relation to Corey and Amber," she said.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.