Decision not to re-open Donna Steel case

20/3/93

Attorney General Cheryl Edwardes says that after exhaustive consideration of the matter, she believes it would be inappropriate to re-open the Donna Steel case. 

Mrs Edwardes said she had made the decision after seeking advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding petitions lodged on behalf of Mark Anthony Clinch and Daniel Troy Hayward relating to recent statements by Ms Steel. 

"This is an extremely sensitive matter and one that required careful consideration," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"Following receipt of the petitions, I referred the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

"The Director has since obtained a psychiatric report from Ms Steel's consulting psychiatrist, under whose care she has been for some years," Mrs Edwardes said. 

"The effect of that report casts great doubt on the reliability of any recent statements made by Donna Steel about the events of May 28, 1990.

"I realise this has been an extremely distressing matter for all those concerned and having regard to Ms Steel's mental state and after careful consideration of the matters raised in the petitions, I have come to the conclusion that my intervention is not appropriate at this stage."

Media contact: Casey Cahill 222 9475