Yatala Labour Prison Incident

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (14:30): What arrangements have been made for the family to receive legal representation with regard to the coronial inquest, as is required by both the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody recommendations, and, I believe, the act?

The Hon. P. MALINAUSKAS (Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:30): I thank the honourable member for her question. It is an important one. I have been advised by the Department of Correctional Services that there has been regular contact between the department and the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, through the Aboriginal Services Unit that exists within the Department of Correctional Services, to make sure that family members and those who are related to this incident have access to appropriate legal support as events unfold.

I have been advised by the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement that it is acting for the family of the deceased. I have personally been in contact with the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement to ascertain that it is in fact acting for the family of the deceased, and have been using them as a conduit for communications between myself and my office and, indeed, the family. I have made a number of efforts to pass on my condolences to the family through the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement. I understand that they are acting for them and, of course, they will be afforded the legal representation to which they are entitled.