Family of Tamworth teenager Mark Anthony Haines confirms new coroner to review file after he was found dead on railway lines in 1988

Just days after the devastating news that Mark Anthony Haines' file was assigned to a coroner who was unwell and couldn't work, his family was told the file was reassigned to be reviewed by a different coroner.

His uncle Don Craigie told the Leader it was a welcome move.

"I'm hoping that in the new year things may be progressing," he said.

"I felt gutted that this kept getting pushed back further and further."

The body of 17-year-old Mr Haines was found on railway lines on the outskirts of Tamworth on January 16, 1988.

His family suspect others were involved and have been pushing for answers, leading a long and relentless charge to bring about justice for almost 35 years.

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A coronial inquest returned an open finding into Mr Haines' death in 1988 and no charges have ever been laid in relation to the case.

A decision is set to be made about whether another inquest will take place.

"I can't wait to have our day in court," Mr Craigie said.

"It has not been forgotten, it will not be forgotten, and we will continue in our endeavours to find out what happened to our boy Mark, and [get] justice for him."

Mr Craigie said he expected the coroner would still need time to get their head around the matter.

But, he said he hoped the next stage would be for detectives, lawyers and the coroner to sit down for a roundtable discussion about what he described as a "complex" matter.

A half-a-million-dollar reward for information into Mr Haines' death was announced in 2018.

The Coroner's Court was contacted for this story.

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