Tribunal sits on Leanne Holland murder review

QCAT has refused to comment on an ‘extraordinary’ delay in deciding if to release a police review into Leanne Holland.

Leanne Holland.

The Queensland Civil and ­Administrative Tribunal has ­refused to comment on an “extraordinary” delay in deciding whether to release a police review into the murder of schoolgirl Leanne Holland.

Graham Stafford, who spent almost 15 years in jail for Leanne’s 1991 murder before his conviction was quashed on ­appeal, went to QCAT for the 600-page review after police ­refused to release it.

QCAT deputy president Suzanne Sheridan reserved her decision in the case in June 2017. Stafford’s supporters yesterday said he was still waiting.

A government media release in December said Judge Sheridan was moving back to the District Court. QCAT’s website says she was the tribunal’s deputy president until January 25 this year.

QCAT did not respond to questions submitted on Tuesday. The District Court referred inquiries back to QCAT.

The Court of Appeal set aside Stafford’s conviction in 2009 and recommended a retrial. Prosecutors said a new trial was not in the public’s interest.

A major police review, launched in 2010 and finalised in 2012, allegedly found additional evidence implicating Stafford.

Stafford had been engaged to Leanne’s older sister and was alone at home with the 12-year-old Leanne in the suburb of Goodna, west of Brisbane, on the day she went missing.

The Australian yesterday revealed a former person of interest in Leanne’s murder, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is facing new rape and ­indecent treatment charges.

The man’s two daughters have previously accused him of being responsible for Leanne’s murder, not Stafford. The man’s case is due in court tomorrow.

Former detective Graeme Crowley, who has sought to clear Stafford’s name, said former police commissioner Bob Atkinson “initially stated the review would be open and accountable and be released and available to the public”.

Mr Crowley has called for a new coronial inquest and said “lawyers believe it is extraordinary” that QCAT had not yet made a decision.

“I have been frustrated for years over being unable to see the review,” he said.

“If they release the review it might just put the whole thing to rest — or open a can of worms.”

It is understood the last correspondence sent to Stafford on the case was from QCAT president Martin Daubney, who wrote in July last year that he was aware a decision was “beyond the target date”. Justice Daubney blamed lack of “resources and personal issues” for a backlog and said he would monitor the situation.