More First Nations deaths in custody than ever before, Minns Labor Government must wake up
Calls for reform are intensifying after the NSW Coroner released an extraordinary public statement lamenting record high First Nations deaths in custody in New South Wales.
12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died so far in New South Wales.
Quotes attributable to Greens MP and spokesperson for planning Sue Higginson:
“The State of New South Wales is killing more First Nations people in custody than ever before, and it’s shameful,”
“These revelations are not surprising for those who have been watching the actions of the Minns Labor Government since they came to office. At every turn, Labor Premier Minns has come down on the side of overpolicing, incarcerating and marginalising First Nations communities and this is the result of that,”
“These deaths are entirely preventable. All we need is a criminal justice system that values the lives of First Nations people, and that ensures basic human rights like healthcare is being provided to inmates.
Instead we have serious cultural issues and systemic injustices going unchallenged by decision-makers.
“Even now in the New South Wales parliament, the Minns Labor Government is trying to pass shameful laws to lessen the standard of proof for inmate discipline proceedings. These laws will enable more inmates to be locked in solitary confinement and denied privileges for crimes that it cannot be proven they are guilty of beyond reasonable doubt. More First Nations inmates will die in custody as a result of these draconian laws, but the Minns Labor Government is pushing ahead with them anyway,”
“If the Minns Labor Government is serious about preventing deaths in custody, the least they can do is to stop making the problem worse with their horrific standard of proof reforms,”