About

A Commission of Inquiry was established on 5 October 2023 to examine concerns raised regarding ‘Project 13. Report on the Verification of an Automated DNA IQ TM Protocol using the MultiPROBE® II PLUS HT EX with Gripper TM Integration Platform’.

The Commissioner had relevant powers under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1950.

On 17 November 2023, the final report was provided to the Premier and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, and the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence.

Read the final report.

Recommendations from last year’s independent Commission of Inquiry into Forensic DNA Testing in Queensland led by Mr Walter Sofronoff KC remain in place.

Read the Terms of Reference

Commissioner – Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC

This independent Inquiry is led by the Honourable Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC, a retired Judge of the Federal Court of Australia and a former president of the Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Dr Bennett has a strong scientific background, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Sydney. She was awarded her Ph.D from the University of Sydney and is currently a Fellow of both the Australian Academy of Science, and the Australian Academy of Law. She has also specialised in the area of intellectual property.

Dr Bennett is Chair of the Board of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Chancellor of Bond University, a member of the Board of Gardior Pty Ltd, and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, and an Arbitrator with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Dr Bennett was appointed Commissioner of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements in 2020. Prior to this, Dr Bennett was appointed Commissioner of the Law Reform Commission New South Wales for a review into digital assets.

Dr Bennett was appointed as a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia in 2003 and retired from this position in 2016. Dr Bennett has also served as an additional Judge of the Supreme Court of the ACT, Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and President of the Copyright Tribunal of Australia. She now acts as a Consultant Barrister (Senior Counsel) and Mediator/Arbitrator.

Senior Counsel Assisting the Commission of Inquiry - Mr Andrew Fox SC

Mr Andrew Fox SC is Senior Counsel Assisting the Commission of Inquiry and was called to the bar in 2006. He was appointed Senior Counsel in 2021.

Counsel Assisting the Commission of Inquiry - Ms Gabriella Rubagotti

Ms Gabriella Rubagotti is Counsel Assisting the Commission of Inquiry and was called to the bar in 2010.

Information about the Commissioner’s powers under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1950 is provided within the Terms of Reference.