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The Coroner's Responsibility

The commencement of the Coroners Act 2008, on 1 November 2009, represents the most significant reform of the Victorian coronial system since its inception in Victorian law in 1865.

Most importantly, the legislation has enshrined the need for recognition of the impacts a death and subsequent coronial investigation can have on the family and friends the person who has died.

The Act provides clear objectives to encourage practices which:

• avoid unnecessary duplication and expedite the time it takes to conduct investigations
• acknowledge the distress of families and the need for support following a death
• acknowledge the effect of unnecessarily lengthy or protracted investigations
• acknowledge that different cultures have different beliefs and practices surrounding death
• acknowledge the desirability of promoting public health and safety and the administration of justice
• promote a fairer and more efficient coronial system.