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Inquest into murder of Hannah Clarke finds failure to protect young mum

The coroner investigating the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children has found all agencies failed to protect the young mum from her estranged partner but also said it was likely nothing would have stopped him from killing her.

Coroner Jane Bentley revealed in her 160-page report there was a failure to protect the young mum from Rowan Baxter, and that it wasn't believed he would kill her, likely because he had not previously been physically violent.

Bentley said there were numerous opportunities to help Clarke in the lead-up to her murder that were not acted upon but said officers who dealt with Clarke directly acted appropriately.

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Hannah Clarke with her three children Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey.

"Her fears were genuine and realistic and ultimately confirmed in the worst possible way," Bentley said.

"I find it unlikely that any further actions taken by police officers, service providers, friends or family members could have stopped Baxter from ultimately executing his murderous plans."

The report detailed several pages of examples of Baxter's controlling and abusive behaviours, including recording Clarke's conversations and phone calls, isolating her from family and friends and even disappearing with their children.

Bentley found these actions all led to Baxter's premeditated plot, which he carried out in February 2020.

During the inquest into the murder of Hannah Clarke and her three children, it was revealed the young mum had approached police for help, fearing her estranged husband would kill her.

Clarke had been taking her three children – Aaliyah, Laianah and Trey – to school from her parents' house when they were intercepted by Baxter, who doused Clarke, the kids and their car in petrol before restraining the young mum and igniting the vehicle.

Clarke was covered in burns to 97 per cent of her body when she went to police but died in hospital that day.

Her children died almost instantly from smoke inhalation and burns.

"Rowan Baxter was not mentally ill," Bentley said.

"He was a master of manipulation."

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Hannah Clarke's parents LLoyd and Sue have been campaigning for new domestic violence laws in Queensland.

"When Baxter concluded he had lost control of Hannah, he killed her and her three children. He planned the deaths in the days prior."

Bentley said Baxter then killed himself in "a final act of cowardice".

Clarke's parents said Baxter underestimated Hannah's bravery and they'd continue to fight for an end to domestic violence.

"I think he underestimated how much a mother will fight. And how strong a mother is," Sue Clarke said.

"We're happy with the findings."

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The couple has been crucial in the fight to criminalise coercive control in Queensland and say they will continue to advocate for the protection of women like their daughter.

"We need the other states to look at what Queensland has started and are doing and they need to follow suit," Lloyd Clarke said.

"It's an uncomfortable conversation we've started but we all need to keep this conversation ongoing."

"Hopefully with the education no one will fail to see that risk again," Sue Clarke added.

The coroner made four recommendations which she said required immediate action, including the urgent fast-tracking of police training on domestic violence.

She said specialist police orders must also attend a five-day face-to-face domestic violence training program.

The trialling of a new specialist police station, specifically equipped to address domestic violence cases, was also recommended, as well as urgent funding for men's behavioural change programs.

"Our organisation does not have all the answers," Bentley said.

"We need to work together with all levels of government, non-government organisations, businesses and the community to identify and deliver, sustainable, long term and culturally appropriate solutions."

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Offer retracted for US trade job candidate before Barilaro appointed

The preferred candidate for the $500,000 a year US trade role had the offer retracted before it was given to former New South Wales deputy premier John Barilaro instead, an inquiry has heard.

A parliamentary inquiry into the appointment of Barilaro as the NSW Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to the US began today.

It heard the job was first offered to senior executive Jenny West before being retracted and handed to Barilaro because of a "government decision".

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Amy Brown gives evidence at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the appointment of former NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro to the New York Trade Commissioner role. 29th June 2022

"She was verbally offered the role and then I was given direction to cease recruitment due to a change in government policy," Investment NSW's Amy Brown told the inquiry.

"It was a decision of government, it would have come through the responsible minister being the minister for industry and trade, (that was) Mr John Barilaro."

In August 2021, West was verbally told she was successful in the role and would be heading to New York but a couple of weeks later Barilaro's office asked Investment NSW if they could change the way the trade postings were filled.

Brown told the inquiry she was asked what "other mechanisms" the trade roles could be appointed, including whether it could be a "ministerial appointment".

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Barilaro was one of many who argued in cabinet that they as ministers should appoint the trade commissioners, not public servants, and cabinet agreed which caused West's contract to be torn up.

"An instruction was made to me to unwind all contracts that are yet to commence," Brown told the inquiry.

Barilaro announced his resignation from politics several weeks later and officially left parliament in December.

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Former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro

Brown told the inquiry that Barilaro had spoken to his former colleagues about wanting the New York trade role.

"Minister Ayres mentioned casually that Mr Barilaro might apply," she said.

Barilaro applied for the job in January and was given it in April, and Brown said it was because he was qualified for the role.

"What I can tell you is he was the first ranked candidate against the criteria," she added.

The inquiry also heard Brown felt concerned she would run into interference while making a decision about the appointment.

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"I was concerned that certain ministers or their offices feel they have veto rights over my appointment," she said.

"Who were you concerned about vetoing it?" shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey asked Brown.

"I was concerned the deputy premier's office would feel they had veto rights," Brown responded.

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L-R Courtney Houssos, Penny Sharpe, and Daniel Mookhey question Amy Brown as she gives evidence at the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the appointment of former NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro to the New York Trade Commissioner role. 29th June 2022

West, who had been the preferred candidate in the beginning, was appalled by the change in decision.

"She was extremely upset about that. Understandably so," Brown told the inquiry.

"You took a view that irreconcilable differences had emerged with how the government had treated this successful woman?" Mookhey asked Brown.

"That is a fair characterisation," Brown said.

It was also revealed the government has spent $905,000 fitting out the New York office and is spending $88,000 a year to rent the space.

Barilaro is due to start the role in two weeks and has signed a three-year contract.