An external probe will urgently investigate whether systemic government failings were involved in the death of an eight-year-old boy who was allowed to remain with a father now accused of his murder.
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The independent review of government child protection systems is being hastily assembled following the tragic killing of Bradyn Dillon, 8, in Jacka on Monday night.
His father Graham Dillon, 37, was arrested at the scene and is currently behind bars, charged with a murder that has sent shockwaves through the community and devastated family and friends.
It can now be revealed that the government is about to appoint an independent, external reviewer to investigate the handling of the Dillon case and others of its type.
Critically, it will examine whether the host of agencies that work together on child protection properly shared information with each other, and across state and territory borders.
Fairfax Media understands the family only arrived at the Jacka address relatively recently.
The family was engaged with the Community Services Directorate, Attorney-General Simon Corbell confirmed on Thursday.
"This death is a horrific and tragic incident. It is shocking in the extreme, and the government is deeply concerned about the broader systemic issues that could arise as a result," Mr Corbell said.
"So we are determined to make sure that we are looking closely at our agencies' response to these types of circumstances, and if there are barriers or problems, we need to know about them."
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has asked Mr Corbell to handle the government's response, and Mr Corbell revealed plans for the review in response to a series of questions from Fairfax Media about child protection issues and the Dillon case.
Mr Corbell was unable to release specific details about the circumstances of the alleged murder on Thursday night, but pledged the review would identify any lapses that may have occurred.
Further announcements about the timing of the review, its terms of reference, and its scope, will be made in coming days.
Mr Corbell will give the reviewer the legal authority to access protected information, and expects the review to make recommendations to government on the strengthening of child protection systems.
"Clearly, we need to at all times ensure that our systemic responses are effective, co-ordinated, joined-up, and focussed at all times on child safety," he said.
"The government wants to ensure that different elements of ACT government are effectively sharing information.
"If there are any administrative or legal barriers that hinder the capacity of agencies to take coordinated action in response to domestic and family violence matters, we need to know about it."
Little detail has so far emerged about the alleged murder.
Graham Dillon has entered no pleas, and made no application for bail when he appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Bradyn Dillon was described by his auntie and by friends as a gentle, generous child who would not hurt a fly.
Neighbours and those who knew the boy have joined together for vigils outside the Jacka home this week.
Police said on Thursday that the child's immediate family had asked for privacy.
