Following the release of our book Shot Dead: When cops kill, who polices the police?, a series of concerning developments have unfolded that appear designed to suppress truth and accountability in the killing of our son, Luke Gilbert, in Airlie Beach in 2022.

Our family has spent three years seeking transparency, accountability, and access to critical evidence surrounding Luke's death, evidence that continues to be withheld under the guise of "public interest." Since the book was released, however, the pattern of obstruction has intensified.

1. Defamation law reform introduced by QLD Government

Within days of our book's publication which documents years of institutional failure and cover-ups, the Queensland Government introduced sweeping defamation law reforms. These changes have been criticised for restricting public interest journalism and shielding powerful institutions from scrutiny, which only heightens our concern about the timing and intent behind these reforms.

2.Closure of our legal pathway without reviewing evidence

LawRight (mentioned in the book) abruptly closed our legal assistance case, citing advice from an "unknown barrister" who concluded that we had no case to appeal the Coroner's findings without reviewing the evidence. We have not been provided the barrister's name or written advice and been gaslit when they told us appealing the findings would affect our “ongoing sadness”. The decision effectively blocked this avenue to challenge what we maintain are fraudulent and unsupported findings.

3. Right to information (RTI) Application shut down

The Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) has closed our external review seeking access to evidence relating to Constable Bryce Collins unlawful use of Luke's personal information and other criminal conduct. The OIC concluded that releasing this material "would not be in the public interest," despite the clear public interest in exposing police misconduct and ensuring accountability and despite our legal right to have been party to these proceedings in the first place.

4. Parliamentary recognition of CCC oversight failures

Our submission to the Queensland Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee (PCCC) accepted and now published on the Queensland Parliament website as part of the CCC's five-year review, documents the Crime and Corruption Commission's failure to properly oversee the police investigation into Luke's killing, instead producing a false report unsupported by evidence.. This is now a matter of public record, confirming that our concerns are neither isolated nor unfounded.

A Coordinated Pattern of Institutional Suppression. Taken together, these developments form a disturbing pattern:

• Legislative changes appear to protect the powerful rather than the truth.
• Legal avenues are being quietly closed.
• Evidence is being withheld under "public interest" exemptions.
• Oversight bodies have failed to act.

Our family believes this reflects a systemic attempt to protect the Queensland Police Service and other agencies from accountability for their actions and from the evidence that could finally expose the truth.

We will continue to fight for transparency, an independent investigation, and genuine justice, not just for Luke, but for all families who have been silenced by the same system that claims to protect them.

It appears that our case has shifted from a legal one to a political one with the system closing every procedural door...please continue to share our our petition and our story to help raise public awareness.

Thankyou,

Darren and Nicola Gilbert