'I really miss them': Father of kids murdered in Margaret River tragedy opens up on heartbreak

  • 15/08/2018

The Australian father who lost his children in the country's worst shooting in 22 years is working to change to reform the family court system, which he believes contributed to their murder.

Aaron Cockman's four children died in Margaret River at the hands of their grandfather on May 11.

Taye, Rylan, Arye, and Kadyn - were shot by his estranged father-in-law Peter Miles, who also killed himself, his wife and his daughter, Mr Cockman's ex-partner Katrina.

Mr Cockman says he is still struggling with their deaths.

 

"To be honest, I'm really battling. I make it halfway through the day and I think I only have half more to go - and then the next day comes," Mr Cockman told Sunrise.

"I really miss the kids - I even miss Katrina.

However, he is now using his grief to campaign for change.

Mr Cockman is meeting with government ministers in Canberra to discuss changing Australia's family legal system.

He believes there are potentially devastating consequences of the court's involvement in family situations.

"I just want to get my opinion and what's happened to me out there - the sadness that I'm going through should never have happened...as soon as the lawyers got involved, everything went downhill really really fast.

"I want to change the lawyer and family court system so it accommodates for all families.

"I don't think children should be going near family court and lawyers until there's been some major changes in the court system."

Newshub.