Cabinet to fund legal counsel for Ms Jane Sutton at inquest into husband's death

9/3/99
State Cabinet has agreed to fund legal counsel for Mrs Jane Sutton at a forthcoming inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of her late husband.
Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen, a member of the Western Australia Police Service, was working with the National Crime Authority (NCA) in Adelaide in 1994 when he was killed by a parcel bomb.
The South Australian Coroner will now conduct a inquest into the incident starting on April 6.
The inquest is expected to run for up to eight weeks.
Police Minister Kevin Prince said today the State Government had yesterday agreed to a request from Mr Bowen's widow, Mrs Sutton, for State-funded legal representation at the inquest to determine whom and for what reason her husband was murdered.
"The State Government is of the view that the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Bowen, who was a serving Western Australian police officer, the fact his killer has never been brought to justice and the plight of Mrs Sutton are extraordinary," the Minister said.
"It is only fair and reasonable that Mrs Sutton obtain proper legal counsel at the inquest and therefore an undisclosed ex-gratia payment has been made.
"The payment will provide appropriate legal representation for Mrs Sutton at the inquest.

"The State Government considers in the extreme circumstances of Mrs Sutton, that is is the right thing to do to support her."
Mr Prince thanked the Western Australian Police Union for agreeing to provide accommodation and airfare costs for Mrs Sutton's legal representative at the inquest.
Media contact: Kirsten Stoney 9220 5000