Huge rift revealed as Bondi Junction massacre families SLAM John Singleton for TV special about his daughters death - and her fiance launches legal action against Nine

A lawyer for the Westfield Bondi attack families has hit back at a 60 Minutes program where John Singleton called for an upcoming inquest to be called off.  

Mr Singleton, father of 25-year-old victim Dawn Singleton, appeared on the program on Sunday urging that the inquest not take place as it would further traumatise the victims families.

At a brief directions hearing for the upcoming inquest on Monday, lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC made withering comments about the TV special.

Ms Chrysanthou, who is representing the families of stabbing victims Ashlee Good, Jade Young and Dawn Singleton (except her father John Singleton) at the hearings, said Sunday nights program displayed highly inaccurate media reporting.

The families understand the mandatory nature of this inquest and they support it, she said in court. 

Their lives have been changed in a away that none of us can really comprehend. 

Children’s lives have been altered. It is important for them to understand if anything else could be done. 

Ms Chrysanthou added the families were very adversely impacted by some members of the media in hours and days after the tragedy occurred. 

Lawyer Sue Chrysanthou SC (pictured) said Sunday nights TV special displayed highly inaccurate media reporting

John Singleton (pictured), father of 25-year-old victim Dawn Singleton, appeared on the program on Sunday urging that the inquest not take place

Dawn Singleton was one of six shoppers killed in Westfield Bondi Junction last April

They continue to be impacted by a broadcast last night by a media company and ask that those reporting on the inquest take extreme care to address sensitivities of all families. 

Senior Counsel assisting the inquest, Dr Peggy Dwyer SC, also said that it was somewhat ironic that last night’s program played graphic footage. In the 60 Minutes interview, Mr Singleton had insisted he didnt want footage of the attack used at the inquest.

That graphic footage will not be played in this inquest. It is not in the brief of evidence, Ms Dwyer said. 

It comes as a legal action between Ashley Wildey, the fiance of Dawn Singleton, was set down for a hearing on Wednesday in the Supreme Court Sydney. The nature of the dispute is unclear. Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Chrysanthou for comment.

Dawn was due to marry Mr Wildey, a NSW police officer and her high school sweetheart, before she was killed along with five other shoppers in Westfield Bondi Junction last April when knifeman Joel Cauchi, 40, went on a stabbing rampage. 

Mr Wildey rushed to the shopping centre to assist police colleagues only to discover his fiance was among the victims. 

The four-week coronial inquest into the attack is due to begin at the end of this month, but Mr Singleton has repeatedly pleaded for it to be called off.

He said the inquiry would simply resurface the tragedy for grieving families of the victims.

It comes as a legal action between Ashley Wildey (pictured right), the fiance of Dawn Singleton (pictured left), was set down for a hearing on Wednesday in the Supreme Court Sydney

Its just absolutely stupid. I think its just a waste of time, if its going to prove anything at all, he told 60 Minutes. 

Mr Singleton was worried that CCTV or police body cam footage of the attack might be released during the inquest.

Why do you have to include the actual killings? You want the knife going in? Do you want the blood?

NSW Attorney-General Michael Daley has confirmed that an inquest is mandatory because the deaths occurred during a police operation. Mr Daley insisted the inquest would be conducted in a way that is trauma informed.

The Coroner has indicated to Mr Singleton that there are no plans to play distressing footage in court at this stage.

But Mr Singleton said he wanted authorities to get rid of any footage of the attack.