Bob Collins took own life: NT coroner

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This was published 16 years ago

Bob Collins took own life: NT coroner

By By Tara Ravens

Former federal Labor minister Bob Collins killed himself just days before he was due to face court on child sex abuse charges, a coroner has found.

The 61-year-old father of three used a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol to take his own life at his home in Darwin last September, Northern Territory Coroner Greg Cavanagh said.

He had been due to face a committal hearing in Darwin three days later on 21 charges of child sexual abuse against five alleged victims, dating back three decades.

The charges included indecent assault, carnal knowledge and sexual intercourse without consent.

Delayed for months, the committal hearing had finally been set to go ahead despite Mr Collins being in "significant" pain following surgery for bowel cancer.

The former minister in both the Hawke and Keating governments was also facing child pornography charges in the Northern Territory, and a separate hearing had been set for October last year.

Mr Collins also was facing three child sex offences in Canberra, dating back to 1989.

Mr Cavanagh was handed a police brief on the case almost two weeks ago and broke with normal practice to issue a statement on Mr Collins' death.

"The cause of death was intentional overdose of prescription drugs with alcohol, following upon a background of three years of significant medical difficulties and in the face of upcoming court cases," the coroner said.

"I find that the deceased took the drugs with the purpose of ending his life."

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Mr Cavanagh said despite the intense pain it would cause Mr Collins' family - who maintained he died of natural causes - he was making his findings public because of "intense media speculation".

But he would not hold a public inquest into the death because "it would not take the matter any further".

Mr Collins killed himself after years of medical problems caused by bowel cancer and serious injuries suffered in a road crash in Kakadu National Park in 2004.

The crash occurred shortly before the child abuse allegations became public and there has been speculation it was a suicide attempt.

"I have looked closely at the circumstances of Mr Collins' 2004 car crash and considered whether that may have been an attempt by Mr Collins to end his own life or an accident," Mr Cavanagh said.

"I am unable to make a determination on this point.

"I have discussed this with Mr Collins' family who, whilst saddened that this release is necessary, understand that there is a need to clarify the circumstances of his death."

Country Liberal Party Leader Terry Mills said the coroner's findings added weight to calls for an independent inquiry into the prosecution of and investigation into Mr Collins.

"The inquiry would look into issues relating to the delays in the cases being heard and the suppression orders in the court," he told AAP.

"We want the government to be proactive in ensuring all alleged victims of Bob Collins are identified and encouraged to come forward for crime compensation and to ensure confidence in the administration of justice."

Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson declined to comment.

Mr Collins was a senator for 11 years and served as federal transport minister before retiring from parliament in 1998.

He had earlier served for a decade as an MP in the Northern Territory parliament, including as territory Labor leader.

Mr Collins is survived by his widow Rosemary and three children - Robbie, Elizabeth and Daniel.

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