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Who are the Queensland coroners?

Queensland has five full time coroners. The State Coroner, Mr Michael Barnes, the Deputy State Coroner, Ms Christine Clements, the Brisbane Coroner, Mr John Lock, the Northern Coroner, Mr Kevin Priestly, and the Southern Coroner, Mr John Hutton.

All Queensland magistrates are also appointed as coroners and act in that role when required.

State coroner

The state coroner oversees and coordinates the Queensland coronial system to ensure that it is administered efficiently and appropriately. The state coroner issues guidelines and provides directions to other coroners about the conduct of coronial investigations.

Deputy state coroner

The deputy state coroner is primarily responsible for coronial investigations into deaths that occur in the greater Brisbane area.

The deputy state coroner may also investigate deaths in custody and deaths occurring as a result of police operations and acts as the state coroner when required.

Brisbane coroner

The Brisbane Coroner, Mr John Lock was appointed in January 2008. Together with the deputy state coroner the Brisbane coroner is responsible for investigating deaths occurring in the greater Brisbane area.

Northern coroner

The Northern Coroner, Mr Kevin Priestly was appointed in March 2008. The northern coroner is located in Cairns and is responsible for investigating deaths that occur in North Queensland from Cairns south to Proserpine, west to Mt Isa and north to the Papua New Guinea border.

Southern coroner

The Southern Coroner, Mr John Hutton was appointed in August 2008. The southern coroner is located in Southport and is responsible for investigating deaths that occur in the Gold Coast area, Beenleigh and Logan.

Local coroners

All Queensland magistrates are able to act as coroners.

The coroner who is located closest to the place of death takes responsibility for the coronial investigation unless it is transferred to the state coroner.

Which coroner is dealing with a coronial investigation?

Usually reportable deaths are dealt with by the coroner who has jurisdiction for the area in which the person died. Exceptions apply for deaths in custody and deaths occurring as a result of police operations which are investigated by the state coroner and the deputy state coroner. The state coroner also investigates the more complex reportable deaths. If you are unsure which coroner is handling the investigation you should contact the Office of the State Coroner for further assistance.

Last updated Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:32