Adam Bandt to Scott Morrison:
There have been 437 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the royal commission delivered its final report. Prime Minister, if you don’t want Black Lives Matters protest s to continue why don’t you do something about institutionalised racism in this country? Will you agree with the Greens proposal to put action on black deaths in custody on the national meeting this Friday and make it a future item for the future National Cabinet meetings and come up with a law so we stop locking up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at such high rates.
Morrison:
I thank the Member for the question on what is an extremely important issue and that is Indigenous deaths, whether it be in police custody or it be in custody more generally.
As the minister for Indigenous Australians pointed out yesterday this is already a sight matter of significant attention of not just the Government but State and Territory governments as well.
It previously did feature with more specific goals more broadly under justice headings in this area that related to the previous Closing the Gap objectives but as also featuring in the new reform set of Closing the Gap goals which is now coming to agreement for the first time involving the direct involvement of Indigenous peak groups in agreeing what those goals should be.
It is also the case that in New South Wales, for example, we are pleased that there has been progress that has been made in police custody in New South Wales there has been one death in police custody, I’m advised, since 2000 and in particular since 2000 when the new arrangements were put in place to provide for access for Indigenous persons who would find themselves in police custody to make those calls and get access to that legal advice.
Now the Government is now funding that program over the next three years and that has proven to be a very effective mechanism to prevent deaths in police custody.
Every death in custody, and particular Indigenous deaths in custody, is an absolute national shame and tragedy and what the Minister for Indigenous Australians has been working to do is also to address the contributing factors which find Indigenous Australians in custody.
You asked about the agenda of the National Cabinet. When I announced the formation of the National Cabinet going forward, I also announced the establishment of the national federation reform council. There are only two national task forces that report to that council importantly one deals with these very issues in Indigenous affairs, the other one deals with violence against women.
We all agreed, Premiers, myself, chief Ministers that they were the issues that needed constant national priority and attention by the National Federation Reform Council which brings all the key decision makers together and for progress to be tracked against the successes that we hope to achieve in that area. So our Government is very committed to action in this area.
It is an important issue but when it comes to the issue of gatherings and protests, the health advice says it put other Australian’s lives at risk including, in particular, Indigenous lives.
And I, I’m sure the Leader of the Opposition would agree with me, do not go to those rallies, do not go to those rally, you are putting others’ lives at risks. The issue you raise is important and it is understand and acknowledged by all in this chamber, that is a great reflection on this country.
