Released 20/01/2026
The community advisory committee selected to help shape the establishment of a Board of Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deaths in Custody in the Alexander Maconochie Centre has provided its input after meetings in recent weeks.
Minister for Corrections, Dr Marisa Paterson, met with the committee to thank them for their time and efforts in advising on the scope and objectives for the terms of reference, and desirable skills, experience and qualities of potential board members.
“Guidance from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is essential in making sure that we get this important piece of work right,” Minister Paterson said.
“I thank each of the members for their time, and the commitment and passion that they have brought to this process.
“The government will consider the community advisory committee’s advice before finalising the terms of reference and formally establishing the board.”
The community advisory committee provided the following communique:
Communique from the community advisory committee into the establishment of the Board of Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deaths in Custody in the Alexander Maconochie Centre
The Community Advisory Committee would like to thank the ACT Government for the opportunity to help shape of the Board of Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Deaths in Custody in the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
The committee strongly recommends that the inquiry be Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led, ideally by someone with a strong connection to the local area.
Membership of the board of inquiry should also be inclusive in terms of gender, sexuality and disability, with legal and policy expertise being important, as well as experience in corrections, human rights, justice and mental health.
The committee has provided advice on broadening the terms of reference to include factors that contributed to these deaths in custody, including previous incarceration in a youth detention centre and systemic racism. The terms of reference should also take into consideration human rights and existing relevant reports and recommendations.
It is critical that the terms of reference should be clear-cut and straightforward so that they resonate with the community.
Careful consideration should be given to the language used during the inquiry to ensure it is seen through a cultural lens, noting that some words carry a different meaning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. This may require that there be ongoing cultural advice provided throughout the inquiry process.
The committee also advises that the hearings must be trauma informed, including that it should not be assumed that the hearings will be public where the individual circumstances of detainees are under consideration, in the absence of permission from the family.
Given the inquiry will feature challenging and distressing content, the government should ensure families are provided with support to enable them to participate, as with anyone involved in the inquiry, including the inquiry’s members.
The committee highlights the importance of building a close partnership between the board of inquiry and the community. Regular communication throughout the inquiry will be necessary to keep the community engaged and involved throughout, as well as to build the trust required for the community to be comfortable to tell their stories. Similarly, the documentation related to, and coming from, the Inquiry, must be as clear, accessible and easy to understand. Consideration should be given to style and format of materials to ensure they are as accessible to as much of the community as possible.
- Statement ends -
Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases