Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
ABC News
ABC News
Business

The Loop: Coroner's findings on Hannah Clarke's death, Origin Energy fined millions, Ghislaine Maxwell's victims speak

Hello. It's Wednesday, June 29 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.

This edition of The Loop, and some of the articles linked below, contain content that readers may find distressing.

Let's start here

A coroner has found Hannah Clarke's estranged partner was a "master of manipulation" determined on "executing his murderous plans", and that it's "unlikely" further action from authorities would have stopped him from killing the 31-year-old and their children Aaliyah, 6, Laianah, 4, and Trey, 3.

But Deputy State Coroner Jane Bentley says every agency that dealt with Ms Clarke failed to recognise the "extreme risk" she would be killed.

Hannah, Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey were murdered in February 2020. (AAP: Dan Peled)

Deputy State Coroner Bentley noted that the "majority of statements provided by friends and associates of Hannah and [Rowan] Baxter provided insight into the controlling nature of Baxter's personality and how it led to the deaths", but noted in her address that: 

"It is of great concern, and reflective of the attitudes that continue to purvey our community, even after Baxter had killed Hannah and her children, a number of people continued to give statements to police in which they stated that Baxter loved his wife and children, he was a great father and that his actions were somehow excused or explained by the fact that he was losing everything, was being victimised by the process, and that Hannah should not have kept his children from him.

"The truth is that Hannah, who knew him best, was initially in favour of him having contact with their children but became fearful of their safety, as she correctly perceived that he was becoming more dangerous."

Hannah's parents, Sue and Lloyd Clarke, said they were "happy" with the coroner's findings and that they wanted to see the recommendations from the inquest implemented nationally, not just in Queensland.

What else is going on

What Australia has been searching for online

You're up to date

Some important phone numbers again: 

  • Lifeline - 131 114
  • Beyond Blue - 1300 22 46 36

ABC/wires

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.