The Western Australian government is facing intensified calls to hold a coronial inquest into the 2022 murders of three children in Port Hedland, amid allegations of systemic failure by the Department of Child Protection (DCP). The children—Jamelia, 10; Arnda, 7; and Kelvin, four months—were killed by their mother, Margaret Hawke, who struggled with methamphetamine addiction and lived in conditions marked by domestic violence.
On July 19, 2022, shortly after returning from school, the children were strangled and stabbed by Hawke. However, leaked police and departmental documents reveal that authorities had received numerous warnings about the children’s welfare before the tragedy. Police reports indicate that as recently as July 8, 2022, officers found Jamelia visibly distressed and bearing signs of injury. Both Jamelia and Arnda expressed fear of their mother and requested to stay with their grandmother, Dorothy Papertalk, who was willing and considered a safer guardian.
Despite these warning signs and police intervention—including removing the children temporarily and securing a 24-hour police order against Hawke’s contact with Jamelia—the DCP’s South Hedland branch closed the case mere days later, deeming the family “not an active” child safety investigation. The coroner at the time, Phillip Urquhart, declined calls for an inquest in July 2025, stating the deaths were "not predictable or preventable" and that the department had no alternative course of action.
The children’s grandmother, Dorothy Papertalk, has been a vocal critic of the DCP’s handling of the case, describing the department’s conduct as negligent and alleging attempts to obscure the department’s role. Papertalk has called for full transparency and an inquest to examine how the DCP failed to act, asserting that her grandchildren were effectively "murdered on DCP’s watch." These concerns have drawn significant public attention and sparked debate over the government’s response.
During a recent visit to Port Hedland, WA Minister for Child Protection Jessica Stojkovski indicated that the state government is now open to supporting an inquest should the coroner choose to initiate one. She stated that fresh evidence could provide grounds to reopen the case but noted that her office was still reviewing available information. Stojkovski also confirmed she had approached Coroner Urquhart seeking clarification on his earlier refusal.
Meanwhile, calls for a broader inquiry have come from legal experts and community leaders, who argue that a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths is only a first step toward addressing deeper systemic issues. A letter signed by senior legal figures criticized the WA Attorney-General’s prior refusal to mandate an inquest, highlighting repeated warnings from police, housing authorities, and Papertalk about the imminent risk to the children.
WA Premier Roger Cook has faced criticism for his reluctance to intervene, with some accusing him of prioritizing bureaucratic interests over transparency and accountability. Critics contend that outdated government responses and an unwillingness to confront departmental failures have contributed to a loss of public trust, particularly within Indigenous communities. The tragedy has also drawn attention to broader challenges in protecting vulnerable children in regional and Indigenous contexts across Australia.
As pressure mounts, the WA government’s next steps regarding a coronial inquest will be closely watched by families, legal experts, and community advocates seeking justice and systemic reform.