Matt Kean calls for inquiry into 1979 Luna Park Ghost Train fire

Senior NSW government minister Matt Kean says there is enough evidence for a new inquiry into the 1979 Luna Park ghost train fire.

Calls for a Special Commission of Inquiry into the deadly ghost train fire at Luna Park in 1979 have grown louder with NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean saying fresh evidence warrants a powerful probe into the incident.

Mr Kean called for the inquiry into the blaze that killed six children and a man at the Sydney amusement park 42 years ago in a private members’ statement in parliament on Tuesday night.

It’s understood Mr Kean has spoken to ­Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Attorney-General Mark Speakman about establishing the probe.

The Premier has previously said the government was “considering” opening an investigation.

Firefighters fight a blaze in a ghost train ride at Luna Park in Sydney in 1979 which killed six children and one adult.

Firefighters at the scene.

The call was sparked by fresh revelations contained in an ABC documentary in March. The documentary alleged the ­initial police investigation was flawed, and ignored key witnesses and evidence.

“Fact after fact, witness after witness; evidence, information and leads were discounted, or ignored altogether,” Mr Kean told parliament.

He said there was a “weight of evidence supporting the suspicion that the fire was caused by arson, that corrupt police managed the direction and scope of the investigation and further, a strong possibility that the fire was orchestrated by organised crime”.

Mr Kean said witnesses who “smelt kerosene and saw … bikies” before the blaze were not contacted, “let alone interviewed by police”.

Environment Minister Matt Kean has asked for the inquiry.

A recent ABC documentary claimed the late gangster Abe Saffron ordered the fire.

Speaking to the ABC, former police officers claimed the late Kings Cross gangster Abe Saffron ordered the blaze.

It was alleged corrupt police conduct covered up the plot ­directed by Saffron.

“It is never too late ­for justice to be served,” Mr Kean said.

Opposition Leader Jodi McKay in March called for a Special Commission of Inquiry into the fatal blaze.