Australian inquest begins into agencies' response before Elizabeth Struhs' death

A coronial inquest began in Brisbane on October 12 to examine child protection, health and other agencies' responses before eight-year-old Elizabeth Struhs died in January 2022 after insulin was withdrawn.

The opening hearing considered a report by her older sister Jayde in 2013. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that she told a school nurse about controlling behaviour by her parents, who were involved with a religious group. This led to the family's first contact with child protection authorities.

An agency witness told the inquest that no harm had been identified at the time and the report did not meet the threshold for further action. The witness said the assessment system had since changed, placing greater emphasis on professional judgement.

Elizabeth had become critically ill in 2019 with previously undiagnosed type-1 diabetes. Her father took her to hospital but later stopped administering insulin before her death, while members of the religious group prayed around her.

The inquest will assess whether government agencies' responses were adequate. The testimony is not a final coronial finding on whether her death could have been prevented.