NCA bombing: Daughter of victim Peter Wallis visits court as key witness Allan Chamberlain says he feels guilty by association

On the 27th anniversary of the NCA bombing, one of its victims’ daughters has heard a key witness admit, in court, feeling “guilty by association”.

The daughter of NCA bombing survivor Peter Wallis has marked the infamous crime’s 27th anniversary by attending the alleged offender’s trial – and hearing its key witness say he felt “guilty by association”.

On Tuesday, Allan “Gadget” Chamberlain described, to the Supreme Court, his feelings in the wake of the March 2, 1994 explosion that killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and blinded Mr Wallis.

At that time, Mr Chamberlain was in possession of a large cache of firearms and other deadly materials which, he and prosecutors allege, belonged to prime suspect Domenic Perre.

Allan “Gadget” Chamberlain outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin.

“I was deeply concerned and troubled … my mind was racing, my mood and disposition was going to one of despondence … I was near panic,” he said.

“The television (news) was on the basis of the bombing, there were headlines and continuous news … I wanted to get away from it and clear my head.

“I had my own concerns about being implicated in it (because) I had the items … I was, in my own mind, guilty by association.”

Outside court, Genevieve Wallis paid tribute to her father – who died in 2018 – and Detective Sergeant Bowen.

She said her family’s thoughts were with the Bowen family.

NCA bombing survivor Peter Wallis, 65, at his home before his death in 2018.

Genevieve Wallis, the daughter of Peter Wallis, outside court on the 27th anniversary of the NCA bombing. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

“This is a day of significance for our family as we reflect on events that started 27 years ago,” she said.

“Dad and Geoff were great colleagues and mates, we think of them every day – but today in particular.”

Perre, 63, has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder over the construction and sending of the parcel bomb that tore through the Waymouth St building.

Mr Chamberlain is key to the prosecution case, but Perre’s counsel insist the “Pandora’s box” of weapons found by police belonged to him, not their client.

Continuing his evidence on Tuesday, Mr Chamberlain said he called Perre on the night of the bombing and they arranged to meet, with Perre’s brother also present.

He said the pair arrived in a while Commodore.

Domenic Perre, left, the NCA building, centre, and Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen, right.

“Mr Perre and his brother replied that he had nothing to do with it … he said ‘I would be stupid if I did because I would be the prime suspect’,” he said.

“He indicated he was not a suspect in the bombing but was associated with the police officer who died, and was due in court that particular day.

“He said the case had been deferred or delayed … he was looking to, in his words, ‘get it dismissed’.

“I can honestly say it (the conversation) didn’t help me.”

Mr Chamberlain said police began speaking with him and searching his property on March 6, 1994.

He said he believed a friend from the gun shop both he and Perre frequented had “betrayed his trust” and told officers about the hidden firearms.

Asked if he had “wanted” to help police, he said he was driven not by personal desire but by fear.

A replica of the NCA bomb. The actual device was made from a parcel pack, an electronics kit with a switch, and the chemical red phosphorous. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin.

“Police told me that, at the time they attended, there was a white Commodore on the property and that it departed very quickly,” he said.

“That was probably the motivation for me to reveal the hiding place of the firearms … following that information from police, I feared for my life.”

The trial, before Justice Kevin Nicholson, continues.