Mystery over $1m reward for National Crime Authority bombing conviction against Domenic Perre

A $1m reward was offered for information leading to the conviction of NCA bomber Domenic Perre but whether it was ever paid has never been revealed. Now questions are being asked.

A $1 million reward offered for information leading to the conviction of Domenic Perre for the 1994 National Crime Authority bombing attack might have been handed out, but the recipients remain unknown.

South Australia Police (SAPOL) first offered a reward for information leading to a conviction of the person responsible in May 2008.

But it would be in 2022 that Perre was eventually found guilty of the bombing that killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and severely wounded NCA colleague lawyer Peter Wallis.

National Crime Authority bomber Domenic Perre taking a heavily-guarded walk with the Court around the streets in which he allegedly lurked before, during and after the bombing in 1994. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

Perre’s lawyers had been appealing the conviction but their client died last year thereby ending proceedings and opening the way for the reward to be handed out.

As reported on the weekend however, evidence has emerged that could effectively overturn Perre’s conviction and cast doubt on whether a reward should be paid.

That evidence, including a December 1997 letter between the then DPP and SA Police commissioner, relates to the granting of partial immunity to prosecution for the prime Crown witness gunsmith Allan Chamberlain.

Key Witness Allan Chamberlain outside of the Supreme Court in Adelaide in 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Perre’s lawyers were unaware of the immunity deal until recently. They argue that Perre’s defence would have been approached differently if they had been informed of the arrangement during or prior to trial.

A conviction was required before any reward money was to be paid.

SAPOL would yesterday not say if it has been paid out to anyone.

“In relation to the reward made available in this case, SAPOL has no comment at this time,” a spokesman said yesterday.

The South Australian state Attorney-General Kyam Maher said he was aware of the renewed legal challenge in the Perre case on the basis of new evidence. However his office has no role in authorising police rewards.

The scene at National Crime Authority building after a parcel bomb exploded killing NCA officer Detective Sergeant Geoffrey (Geoff) Bowen in 1994.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) would not answers questions on the Perre case.

“Respectfully, the ODPP declines to comment on this matter at this time,” a spokesman said.

Peter Wallis, the NCA lawyer who was injured in the blast,

Breaking their silence and speaking for the first time, the Perre family said their father had consistently denied any role or involvement in the NCA bombing.

“Our father always maintained his innocence of this crime,” the family member said in a written statement.

“Our family and the public have a right to know who was paid the reward.”

Adelaide NCA headquarters bombing victim Detective Sergeant Geoffrey (Geoff) Bowen.

A prerogative of mercy plea for Perre is expected to be lodged by his lawyers in coming weeks and ultimately is up to the state Governor to decide.

While the ODPP will make documents, transcripts and other material available for consideration through this process, the DPP does not provide advice to the Governor Frances Adamson on the petition.

Rewards are offered in all cases where the investigation has remained unsolved for more than 12 months and an arrest is not imminent. The reward amounts may be $200k, $500k or $1m and are determined by set criteria.

Originally published as Mystery over $1m reward for National Crime Authority bombing conviction against Domenic Perre