Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a connection to the Canberra region can now submit an expression of interest to be part of a community advisory committee to inform government on the establishment of a Board of Inquiry into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody in the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
The new committee will advise government on the terms of reference for, and membership of, the board.
The government is looking for 6 to 8 members of the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander community who:
- Have experience of, or an interest in, the justice system and how it impacts on members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, particularly those in custody.
- Want to help shape the Board of Inquiry to achieve the best outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees.
- Are not professionally involved in ACT Corrective Services or in delivering services to detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
Minister for Corrections Dr Marisa Paterson encouraged interested parties to submit an expression of interest.
"Firstly, I want to acknowledge the ongoing grief of the families of those who have died in the Alexander Maconochie Centre," Minister Paterson said.
"It is critical that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are centred as we establish key aspects of the inquiry, including the scope of the terms of reference and the appointment of members of the board.
"We want this advisory committee to represent the local community and bring a range of perspectives and experiences into how we shape this board of inquiry."
The request for expressions of interest is available on the ACT Government website and has been sent to a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in the ACT.
