The motion was proposed by Nationals spokesman for Northern Tablelands, Rick Colless, following representations by co-authors of a recent book about Thunderbolt’s activities.

“There have many discussions in many forums over many years across the New England ranges about the true fate of Thunderbolt on that day in 1870,” Mr Colless said.

“My family had a property at Bundarra when I was a child and I can recall many stories saying that the bloke they shot at Uralla was not Thunderbolt.”

Greg Hamilton, co-author of the fictionalised account of Ward’s life, Thunderbolt: Scourge of the Ranges, believes the person who was shot at Kentucky Creek near Uralla was in fact Thunderbolt’s uncle, Harry Ward.

Hamilton postulates that Fred Ward actually fled Australia following the shooting and arrived in California - a theory supported by California records showing the arrival of a Frederick Ward by boat.

“I have requested the Governor to release all documents within 35 days that relate to police-reported sightings of Thunderbolt two days after he was supposed to have been shot on May 25 1870, and all documents relating to the identification, autopsy reports and inquest of the corpse that was presumed to be Thunderbolt,” Mr Colless said.

“Greg Hamilton and his co-author, Thunderbolt descendent Barry Sinclair from Uralla, have tried repeatedly to gather this information from the police and were exacerbated by the Police Minister Michael Daley.

“The passing of this motion by the Legislative Council will bypass the Police Minister and guarantee the release of any documents still in existence.”