“Escape, Hide, Tell”: The NSW Government’s Answer To The Bondi Junction Stabbings

On August 5, the NSW Government accepted all the recommendations of the Coronial Inquest into the deaths at Bondi Junction on 13 April 2024, including a new “Escape. Hide. Tell.” safety campaign. 

The inquest had investigated the 40-year-old Joel Cauchi’s stabbing of 16 people with a Ka-Bar USMC military knife at a Westfield shopping centre, which resulted in 6 fatalities.

In total, the Coroner’s Final Report made 13 recommendations directed to the NSW Government, one of which was also jointly directed to the Commissioner of the NSW Police Force. Of the 13 total recommendations, 11 were accepted by the NSW Government in full, and 2 in principle. 

What Did The Coronial Inquest Into The Bondi Junction Stabbings Recommend?

The accepted recommendations included progressing reforms to knife scanning laws; improving emergency service interoperability, communications, training, and major incident response arrangements across agencies; promoting an ‘Escape. Hide. Tell.’ public safety campaign; and installing preparedness measures for crowded places.  

Other reforms were informed by mental health experts, including rolling out a new health-led response model for mental health emergencies, as well as strengthening community mental health services and support pathways for people with severe and complex mental illness.

Minister for Health Ryan Park spoke on the importance of these more preventative measures. 

“The events at Bondi Junction were deeply traumatic for many people,” Park said, “including patients, families, paramedics, doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers who responded on that day.  

 “The Government’s response continues our work to strengthen mental health services, improve access to care and ensure people with severe and complex mental illness receive the support they need earlier and closer to home.”

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley agreed, emphasising that the inquest “was about learning every lesson we can from this terrible tragedy”. 

“The Government’s response includes important work already underway to improve public safety, strengthen preparedness and enhance the coordination of emergency responses to major incidents,” said Catley.

 “NSW Police will always respond where police are required, and both Government and Police. We are also working alongside NSW Health to ensure people experiencing mental health crises can access the most appropriate support.”