Overview
- The Upper House passed an amended motion that supports Cheryl Grimmer’s relatives but struck the alleged perpetrator’s name and highlighted a parliamentary inquiry starting in May into unsolved murders and long‑term missing persons cases.
- Legalise Cannabis MP Jeremy Buckingham used parliamentary privilege to name the man known publicly as “Mercury” and branded him a coward, a slug and a murderer.
- Media and the public remain barred from publishing the suspect’s identity because the alleged offender was a minor at the time, with laws protecting children’s identities overriding calls to name him.
- A 1971 confession by the then‑17‑year‑old was ruled inadmissible in 2019 due to the absence of a parent or guardian during questioning, undermining a 2017 prosecution and leaving the case open without new charges.
- MPs noted double‑jeopardy concerns as the family pressed authorities through recent submissions, and the man known as “Mercury” has consistently denied responsibility.