NSW Premier Pledges $2 Million for Safety Upgrades After Fatal Attack

Standing side by side with Kathleen Kirby, at the location where her daughter Audrey Griffin was killed on the NSW Central Coast, Premier Chris Minns made a personal promise.

He said the state government would provide $2 million for security cameras and lighting along Erina Creek and parts of Gosford, to make the areas safer after dark.

"We want to be in a position where we're making a difference, making a change so that another family doesn't go through this … we want to make it safer," Mr Minns said.

"Every woman and young person should feel safe in their community and make it home at the end of a night out."

For more than a year, Ms Kirby campaigned for security improvements after her daughter was killed in a random attack while walking home from a night out with friends in Gosford.

"It's one of the stepping stones that I wanted in regards to the situation," Ms Kirby said.

"If I get some kind of justice … then I feel one step closer to feeling a little bit more relieved."

Ms Kirby has also called for better public transport options late at night.

It is something the premier is looking at.

"We have to improve public transport on the Central Coast, we know that," Mr Minns said.

"The pressure is on us to improve public transport, improve CCTV, improve lighting … do whatever we can, to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Central Coast Council will oversee the rollout of the security infrastructure after consulting with women and young people.

Gender violence still a problem

Ms Griffin had never previously met her alleged killer, Adrian Torrens.

At the time he was accused of murdering her, he was on bail on a string of unrelated domestic violence offences.

He was arrested in April 2025 and found dead in a Sydney jail cell just days later.

Mr Minns said bail laws had been tightened for people accused of domestic violence, but admitted there was a "long way to go".

"We've got a long way to go; there is too much violence against women in our community."

He said while tougher laws and sentences should act as a deterrent, there was more to do.

"It's also a societal change, to ensure that we're sending a message that in all circumstances, wherever … that this kind of violence can never be tolerated."

Mother's fight for answers

With her quest for lighting and security cameras successful, Ms Kirby is now seeking justice for her daughter in other ways.

She is hopeful a coronial inquest will deliver some of the answers a criminal trial might have.

"I don't understand why it's taking so long … it should be brought forward," Ms Kirby said.

"I feel that they want me to give up. That's how I feel."

Ms Kirby said she wanted to know why police initially treated her daughter's death as not suspicious and dismissed it as misadventure.

The case is still under review by the coroner. A hearing date is yet to be set for an inquest.