Mosman Park tragedy: Australian Human Rights Commission calls for coronial inquest into Mott Close deaths

The Australian Human Rights Commission is urgently calling for a coronial inquest in the wake of the suspected double-murder suicide of a Mosman Park family, saying there is “never a justification for family violence or murder”. Brothers Leon, 16, and Otis, 14 — who had autism — and their parents Jarrod Clune, 50, and Maiweena Goasdoue, 49, were found dead inside their Mott Close property last Friday morning. A person known to the family, believed to be a carer, found a note on the front door which warned them to not go inside and call police. Both boys are believed to have been killed by both their parents, before taking their own lives. Disability Discrimination Commissioner Rosemary Kayess said she was “heartbroken” by the incident, but said it was crucial Leon and Otis’ deaths weren’t downplayed because they were autistic. She said murder was “never an option”. “While we don’t yet know all the details, it’s important that the gravity of this situation is not diminished by the fact that the two teenagers were autistic and required support,” she said on Thursday. “There is never a justification for family violence or murder. “We must reject the idea that disability is a burden — every child has the right to live, safety and support, and families should have access to help well before crisis.” Ms Kayess called for a coronial inquest into the family’s death, and said the incident highlighted the immense stress of those who didn’t receive adequate support. Recent reports have suggested one of the brothers had their NDIS funding cut. “A coronial inquest is urgently needed to ensure strong investigative powers to respond to this tragedy and to identify the underlying and systemic issues that led to the parents’ actions, and to provide a sense of justice for Otis and Leon,” she said. “I call for urgent action on the 222 recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission, which found that people with disability in Australia have been systematically devalued. “Without meaningful action, tragedies like this will continue.” She said recent changes to the NDIS meant more families were experiencing severe distress, and pleaded with parents to seek help if they were struggling to keep themselves and their children safe. “We are seeing reforms that reduce supports or make them harder to access, leaving families anxious and frightened,” she said. “Governments must recognise the harm this is causing and act urgently — with transparency, accountability and genuine involvement of people with disability and their families. “Children with disability should be equally valued in human dignity and worth.” National Children’s Commissioner Deb Tsorbaris said the tragedy reiterated the need for better support for families of children with special needs. She referenced the Keeping Kids Safe and Well report — a 2021 report by the Australian Human Rights Commission outlining the experiences of children and families with disabilities. “We must stay focused on strengthening these (support systems) to support children and families,” she said. “In the Keeping Kids Safe and Well report, one young person told us that ‘families don’t get enough support to understand the options for their kids with disability — they have to figure it out themselves.” Cottesloe MP Sandra Brewer this week said she demanded a coronial inquest be held to determine whether the tragedy was preventable. “There is a deep sense of grief and concern across the community, and a strong desire to understand how and why this tragedy occurred,” she said. “This is a matter of profound public interest, and as a community we should know what happened prior to this incident. “I support a coronial inquest so the community can understand what happened and consider recommendations to prevent future tragedies, and I therefore call on the Premier and Attorney General to direct the coroner to hold an inquest. Premier Roger Cook resisted calls for an inquest, saying it was up to the coroner to make a decision. But under the WA Coroners Act, the State Government and Attorney General have the power to force the coroner to hold an inquest. “I understand there’s speculation around NDIS support, school support and things of that nature,” Mr Cook said this week. “The coroner, ultimately, is the one who’s responsible for making a decision about any form of inquest.” Curtin MP Kate Chaney said she was both saddened and frustrated to see the Clune family’s deaths had created division, and urged the community to stand together. “At the centre of this tragedy were two children whose lives were precious,” she said in Federal Parliament on Thursday. “They deserved safety, opportunity and the chance to grow into their futures. “For young people living with disability, who are, like all young people, forming a view of themselves, this is a terrifying story. “For families of people living with disability, this event may stir up anger, or memories of your hardest moments or fears for the future. “It is clear this tragedy has reopened conversations about how our society sees disabled people, how we support families and how we can prevent anyone from feeling alone or without options. “As we mourn the loss of this family, we must stand together, acknowledge the pain caused to so many in our community by this devastating event and recommit to protecting every precious life.”