Push for inquest gains support

WA Attorney-General John Quigley is considering directing the Coroner to hold an inquest into the death of local teenager Cohen Fink. Pamella and Chris Fink say their son, an ATAR student at Warnbro Community High School, was “tremendously let down” by the education system, which “should have been supporting him and looking after his wellbeing”. The 17-year-old had been diagnosed with depression and anxiety about 12 months before his passing on June 4, 2019 and attended fortnightly appointments with a psychologist. His parents say the tragedy could have been prevented and that the incidents which occurred in the week leading up to his death, including troubling and unusual answers to his mid-year exams, should have raised concerns with his school and should have warranted immediate contact. Cohen’s exam answers included seemingly random scribbles and drawings, remarks that he was “failing anyway”, curse words and rewritten questions. The family’s request to hold an inquest into Cohen’s death was denied by the Coroner in January. The Coroner’s reasoning for refusal stated that while the school could have “behaved better”, its actions were “appropriate” given Cohen “did not exhibit the kinds of behaviours” that would warrant him being considered “at-risk”. Their fight is currently in the hands of Mr Quigley after the family sought support from shadow attorney-general Michael Mischin in their campaign for answers. Mr Mischin said despite the Coroner’s refusal, he believed there were questions about the lead-up to Cohen’s death that remained unanswered in the Coroner’s response. He has written to Mr Quigley asking that he direct the Coroner to review the decision and to proceed with an inquest so that “any necessary evidence could be heard and assessed”. “The Coroner’s reasoning appeared to me to rely on several assumptions for which neither the Finks nor the Coroner had any evidence. The answers to those questions could reveal deficiencies in the Department of Education’s guidelines or the manner in which they were applied by the school,” he said. “There were also questions as to whether the school had properly applied its own policies. All that should be examined and, if failings were identified, they should be addressed to minimise the risk of such a tragedy in future.” Mr Quigley said he had sought further information regarding the matter and would consider the Fink family’s request “in due course”. His mother said the school knew Cohen was suffering anxiety and depression. “They had his exams in front of them that clearly showed he was in severe mental distress and they did nothing,” she said. Mrs Fink said Cohen’s responses to his first exams were brought to the attention of school staff by May 29, 2019 and his responses to his final exams had been assessed by May 31. She says the school waited until the Tuesday following the WA Day long weekend to contact her, but by then it was too late. Mr and Mrs Fink have also submitted an official complaint to the Department of Education’s Standards and Integrity Directorate, claiming the department and school failed Cohen by not following relevant policies and guidelines. Warnbro Community High School was contacted for comment, but referred enquiries to the Department of Education. Neither the Department and Education nor Education Minister Sue Ellery would comment on the alleged breaches of policies or the family’s allegations over the school’s handling of the incident. Department director-general Lisa Rodgers said the best interests of students were the core of every decision the department made. “This means that if anyone at the school or department had been aware of anything more that could have been done to prevent this tragic loss of a young life, it would have been done,” she said. Ms Ellery said she did not take Cohen’s death lightly and she was “truly sorry” for the family’s loss. “I also do not underestimate the frustration the Fink family must feel that those responsible for Cohen’s education did not respond differently to the events in the days leading to his death,” she said. For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 11 13 14. The Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800, provides 24/7, confidential and private counselling to people aged 5 to 25 years.