Hand had spent about 16 months from September 1993 in Port Macquarie while Greg Glass held the State Coroner's position. It was Hand who ruled that INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence had committed suicide, who heard the Seaview plane crash inquiry, and who recommended police be issued with semi-automatic pistols after the fatal shooting of two officers at Crescent Head. I just got interested in it and really started to enjoy it. Unlike his local court colleagues, Hand could direct the course of investigations and make formal recommendations governments would at least consider. He has been appointed a part-time magistrate to finalise that inquiry, which he hopes to do in about three months.
Hand plans to rediscover golf and perhaps resume lawn bowls.
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