‘World will judge Aust, on reaction to report’

Press, 30 December 1988, Page 8

‘World will judge Aust, on reaction to report’

NZPA-AAP Canberra Australia will be judged by the rest of the world on how it reacts to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody, according to the chief commissioner, James Muirhead. Justice Muirhead has handed down an interim report of the commission, which called for sweeping reforms and said Aboriginal deaths in custody were caused by the "appalling neglect” of Aboriginals in Australia.

“Our (Australia’s) performance is being assessed not only in this country, but in overseas forums, "and I fear that our country’s reputation will suffer if expediency

rather than honesty prevails,” he said in the report.

"Australia must know the truth behind the deaths or else we must forever live with the knowledge that our fear of the truth or our misguided sense of priorities caused us to abandon an essential and momentous decision to examine a little of our national character and the behaviour of people in authority.”

The Federal Justice Minister, Senator Michael Tate, threatened to force state and territory Governments to adopt the recommendations of the interim report.

The 56 recommendations, aimed at reforming prison procedures to

lessen the likelihood of Aboriginals dying in custody, include the sacking of racist police and prison officers.

They also call for reforms of training for police and prison officers, improved access to medical treatment for prisoners, better investigation of deaths in custody, and changes to the law to prevent Aboriginals from being jailed on minor offences, including drunkenness and defaulting on fines. Most state Governments have cautiously welcomed the report, which was prepared by Mr Muirhead independently of the four commissioners appointed through the year to help him in his investigations.