Final report on Phillips Children Inquiry extended

The Attorney-General has extended the final report deadline for the Public Inquiry into the disappearance of the Phillips children by one month, allowing the Inquiry additional time to clarify a matter.

The Inquiry presented its report to the Governor-General’s office and the Attorney-General on Tuesday 21 July, as required by its terms of reference announced by the then Attorney-General, Hon Judith Collins, on 27 November 2025.

Mr Bishop praised the work of the Chair, Hon Simon Moore, and the Inquiry. 

“The Inquiry has provided a thorough and exacting report on the nature and extent of government agencies’ involvement with Mr Phillips and the children, from before their disappearance through to when they were found,” Mr Bishop says. 

“The Inquiry has carefully considered suppression orders and the welfare of the children in its reporting. This aligns with the Terms of Reference’s first principle, which ensures the children’s welfare is not further threatened.

“There is an issue I wish the Inquiry to clarify, and for this reason I intend to extend the Inquiry’s reporting date to allow it to record its views on the matter. I will do so, under the Inquiries Act, by amending the reporting date in the Inquiry’s terms of reference via Gazette notice.”

No other aspects of the existing Terms of Reference will change.

The Attorney-General will present the final report to the House of Representatives as soon as practicable. Prior to this, he will consider whether any information needs to be redacted to avoid impacting the administration of justice.

“Once again, I extend my thanks to the Inquiry and to the Chair, the Honourable Justice Simon Moore KC, and his team for the quality of their work and the care they have taken to protect the children’s wellbeing,” Mr Bishop says. ...