Read the timeline of our journey to court to force the release of evidence…the timeline doesn’t lie !
We’ve been forced all the way to Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal just to access a fraction of the CCTV evidence and the evidence in the case against former Constable Bryce Collins, who pleaded guilty to charges relating to Luke, that the police have tried so hard to keep hidden.
From the actions of police to the systemic cover-up following our son’s death, we are laying out the facts and we won’t stop until the full story is told.
"Justice shouldn't be this hard to find"
1. Gilbert v Whitsundays Regional Council and Queensland Police for CCTV in relation to Luke Gilbert
JULY 2023
A file containing all Whitsundays Regional Council CCTV tracking the movements of Luke Gilbert in the hours leading up to and including his brutal killing is provided in the brief of evidence for Luke's inquest (this file does not open). Also included are 2 pieces of CCTV showing the incident which have both been snipped and digitally altered.
DURING 2024
The file containing all Whitsundays Regional Council CCTV is sent to us by the coroner. It won't open. It is sent again to our lawyer and again it won't open. The police repeatedly refuse to send the full CCTV file until the coroner approves despite proof she already sent it and told us to ask them for it. They then fail to respond at all.
MAY 2025
Apply to Whitsundays regional council through RTI to obtain a drastically reduced scope of just 4 pieces of CCTV. Denied due to not being in the public's interest.
JUNE 2025
Apply to Office of the Information Commissioner for an RTI external review. They claim they are required by legislation to include Queensland police as an interested party due to the footage being provided to them during the investigation into Luke's killing.
DECEMBER 2025
OIC external review denies us the footage based on a new excuse, that the CCTV is CCC exempt.
JANUARY 2026
Appeal through QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
2. Gilbert v Queensland Police for evidence in the prosecution of Constable Bryce Collins in relation to Luke Gilbert
NOVEMBER 2023
A Courier Mail article mentions Luke. It detailed crimes that Collins had committed and pleaded guilty to in relation to our son (improper disclosure of information and using a restricted computer without consent). Multiple attempts to contact the coroner were ignored
MAY 2024
Apply to Queensland police through RTI to obtain the evidence pertaining to the prosecution of Collins in relation to Luke. After many extensions and delays the RTI is denied as it's a "substantial and unreasonable diversion of resources" at 79k documents t asking over 3k hours to complete
JULY 2024
Response from Counsel assisting suggesting we ask police for the evidence as it's nothing to do with inquest despite not knowing the potential impact his crimes had on Luke being killed
OCTOBER 2024
Ethical standards police also refuse to disclose the evidence. Apply to Office of the Information Commissioner for an RTI external review drastically reducing the scope twice with the last being just 4 questions | When did Collins look Luke up? | Why did he look Luke up? | What information did he use to look him up? | Who did he disclose the information to?
OCTOBER 2025
OIC external review denies the evidence based on a new excuse, that the evidence is CCC exempt
DECEMBER 2025
Appeal through QCAT (Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal)
Both cases are being heard next on Tuesday 28th April 2026 and we will update you after the hearing. Thankyou for your continued support in our journey to truth, justice and accountability.
Nicola and Darren Gilbert x