Families of those killed in Melbourne's Bourke Street mall massacre should know the truth, a former sergeant who plans to hit out at the Victoria Police response says.
James Gargasoulas killed six people including a three-month-old baby when he drove a stolen car down the busy mall in January 2017.
He was jailed for at least 46 years for what was described by the sentencing judge as one of Australia's worst examples of mass murder.
Frank Caridi told the Coroners Court on Friday he was planning to criticise a specialist police unit for their response and wanted legal help.
"I intended to provide truthful testimony and made it clear that I would be critical of Victoria Police and in particular the Critical Incident Response Team," the former police officer said.
He is fighting a legal battle with the force for independent legal advice and believes there is a conflict of interest between some of the firms suggested to him.
"In other words you either use one of the firms we nominate for you or you will have to fund your own representation," he said.
He said the police union told him the chances of them funding his legal team were "slim".
Mr Caridi is considering selling his house to pay for his fees.
Outside the court he said someone needed to stand up for the victims and tell the truth.
"I'm not going to back down. I'll do whatever it takes," he said.
"There needs to be someone to stand up for these victims. We can never ever let this happen again."
The court was also told the wife of victim Matthew Si and the father of three-month-old Zachary Bryant would like to give statements at the inquest.
However, it was not yet clear whether they would give them in person or through their lawyers.
The inquest is expected to begin on November 18.
Australian Associated Press
