Government opens public consultation on new Coroner's Bill reforms

The government has launched a public consultation phase on a draft Coroner's Bill designed to enhance the transparency and autonomy of investigations into unexplained or suspicious deaths. Officials have invited stakeholders and members of the public to provide feedback on key provisions within the proposed legislation, signalling a commitment to broad-based input before finalisation.

The proposed law addresses longstanding concerns about the efficiency and independence of death investigations, aiming to establish clearer procedural frameworks and strengthen investigative powers. Proponents argue that the reforms would bring the country's coroner system in line with international best practices while ensuring greater public confidence in the outcomes of such inquiries.

The consultation process represents an opportunity for civil society groups, legal experts, medical professionals and the general public to help shape the legislation's core elements. Officials have not yet specified a deadline for submissions, but indicated that feedback gathered during this phase will inform the bill's refinement before parliamentary consideration.

The initiative reflects broader government efforts to modernise the justice and public administration sectors, with coroner reform identified as a priority in recent legislative planning. Successful passage of the bill would represent the most significant overhaul of death investigation procedures in the country in recent years.