[Greens-Media] MEDIA: Urgent reform needed to stop deaths in custody

[Chapple, Robin]

Robin Chapple MLC
Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region
MEDIA RELEASE

Urgent reform needed to stop deaths in custody
Wednesday, 23 December
WA Greens Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson Robin Chapple MLC is again calling on the government to urgently address Aboriginal incarceration following another Aboriginal death in custody in Broome last week.
"This is becoming an all too common occurrence in Western Australia and it seems like nothing is being done to properly address the root causes of these issues," Mr Chapple said.
"Sadly, this man was the third to take his life in custody in Western Australia this year alone - a tragic figure for 2015.
"In response to a letter I wrote to the Premier last month with my federal colleague Senator Rachel Siewert, Mr Barnett outlined 29 initiatives that would 'supersede' the recommendations of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody - I am yet to see any details of these initiatives.
"I would urge the Premier to make the details of these proposed initiatives available as soon as possible and ensure that they are open to public scrutiny and input before implementation. These deaths must end."

For comment please contact Media liaison Tim Oliver on 9486 8255 or 0431 9696 25