Inquest offers new hope to family of slain schoolgirl

Four years after schoolgirl Bridgette Porter was killed by a teenager, her family hope an inquest into her death will provide some long-awaited answers. The 10-year-old, who went by the nickname Biddy, was killed by the young person known to her in rural NSW in 2020. The NSW Supreme Court found Biddy's killer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was not criminally responsible due to mental illness in 2021. Details surrounding her death and the injuries she suffered are protected by a court order. Biddy's identity was made public in July when her parents launched a petition calling for a review of the handling of the case and improved rights for child victims and their families. Since the family spoke out on the fourth anniversary of Biddy's death, supported by Advocacy Australia, her story has received national attention and the petition to NSW parliament attracted more than 20,000 signatures. The family was informed on Wednesday that NSW Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan believed an inquest should be held into the circumstances of Biddy's death. "We welcome the state coroner's decision in the hope that Biddy's parents will learn what led to Biddy's horrific killing," Advocacy Australia chair Clare Collins said in a statement on Thursday. "(We) hope that the knowledge gained through an inquest might help prevent other similar killings." Biddy's mother, Rebekah Porter, told AAP in October that her death was preventable and an inquest would help answer many lingering questions. "By exploring what we've gone through as a family after Bridgette died, and how the systems work, we can look to reflect on that and reform it for other victims in the future," Ms Porter said. Independent MP for Orange Philip Donato, who presented the petition in the NSW parliament, said Biddy's case had struck a chord, particularly among families with children of a similar age. "It's the most dreadful thing to happen, it's unimaginable," Mr Donato said. "People have just rallied around once the community were able to hear about this. "She was a young, intelligent girl and ... she just had an impact on everybody she met." Attorney-General Michael Daley acknowledged the "tragic" circumstances of Biddy's death in a response to the petition, saying a review of the victims' support scheme was under way. "I am profoundly sorry to hear about the continued distress that the Porters have experienced as a result of the tragic loss of their daughter and the challenges they have faced, and continue to face, as victims of crime," Mr Daley said. "No parent should ever have to experience the heart-wrenching grief of losing a child." Details of the timing of the inquest have not been confirmed. Lifeline 13 11 14 Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)