The Royal Commission held a public hearing in Sydney from Wednesday 22 to Friday 31 October 2014 and on Friday 14 November. Oral submissions were held on Thursday 18 December 2014.

The public hearing inquired into the responses of the State to complaints made and litigation instituted by former residents of Bethcar Children’s Home, Brewarrina, New South Wales.

The scope and purpose of the public hearing was to inquire into:

1. The experience of former residents of Bethcar Children’s Home in Brewarrina, New South Wales.

2. The monitoring of residents and operations at Bethcar Children’s Home by the State of New South Wales.

3. The conduct of the civil proceedings brought by fifteen former residents of Bethcar against the State of New South Wales between 2008 and 2013.

4. The response of the New South Wales Police to complaints made by some residents of Bethcar.

5. Applications made by former residents of Bethcar for victims’ compensation.

6. Any other related matters.