Information about the Mullighan Inquiry and Report


How can I get a copy of the report?


The report will be available on-line by visiting this link: www.sa.gov.au/mullighaninquiry

Anyone who gave evidence to the inquiry is entitled to receive a free copy of the report. Please contact free call 1800 188 118 to arrange how to receive your copy.

Hard copies for those individuals or groups who did not provide information to the Inquiry are available for purchase through the Services SA shop in the EDS Centre, 108 North Tce, Adelaide.


What will happen now that the report is released?


The CISC Inquiry legislation requires that Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill must respond to the report with a preliminary response within three months, stating which (if any) of the Commissioner’s recommendations will be carried out. The Minister will then make a full response within six months, and is then required to make an annual response,  updating progress, for the next five years. 


What is the background of this inquiry?


The Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry held its first public hearing in December, 2004. The terms of reference of the Inquiry were to inquire into any
allegations of:

  1. sexual abuse of a person who, at the time that the alleged abuse occurred, was a child in State care; or
  2. criminal conduct which resulted in the death of a person who, at the time that the alleged conduct occurred, was a child in State care.

The purposes of the Inquiry were:

  1. to examine the allegations referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and
  2. to report on whether there was a failure on the part of the State to deal appropriately or adequately with matters that gave rise to the allegations referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above; and
  3. to determine and report on whether appropriate and adequate records were kept in relation to allegations of the kind referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above and, if relevant, on whether any records relating to such allegations have been destroyed or otherwise disposed of; and
  4. to report on any measures that should be implemented to provide assistance and support for the victims of sexual abuse (to the extent that these matters
    are not being addressed through existing programs or initiatives).

Information on this page is sourced from the Media Release from the Office of Commissioner Ted Mullighan.