WA death in custody campaign continues

A Western Australian campaign group formed over the January 27 death in custody of an Indigenous elder has vowed to continue to fight for justice after being disappointed at the state government's response.

Members of the Warburton Elder Justice Campaign (WEJC) have described proposals made by WA corrective services minister Margaret Quirk at a February 22 meeting with the group as unsatisfactory.

Among the group's concerns are that custodial transport methods that led to the death of the man (he was transported for four hours in 43°C) have not ceased, and that there has been no indication of when the transport fleet will be replaced. A recommendation made by Quirk at the meeting that prisoner transport be fully privatised and run by Global Solutions Limited raised the most ire. GSL currently provides WA prisoner transport under contract, but the transport fleet is owned by the government.

WEJC has organised a public report back on the meeting with Quirk, calling for input into the campaign's direction. It will take place as part of a public meeting organised by the WA Aboriginal Rights Coalition on March 11, 5.30pm, at Derbarl Yerrigan, 156 Wittenoom Street, East Perth.

From GLW issue 742