The Australian Greens call on Labor to urgently implement all 339 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Racism, violence and systematic over-incarceration of First Nations people has led to 617 Aboriginal deaths in custody since the Royal Commission.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up about 4% of Australia's total population, but represent more than a third of people in prison.
Governments around the country are implementing laws that disproportionately affect First Nations people.
We acknowledge the profound grief and anger felt by First Nations peoples across the country and express our deep sorrow over this national shame.
As stated by Leader of the Australian Greens and First Nations spokesperson, Larissa Waters:
"Having the highest rate of Aboriginal deaths in custody in over 40 years is a national shame. Racism and over-policing is killing First Nations people.
"For over 30 years Labor and Liberal governments have failed to implement all of the 339 Royal Commission recommendations to save the lives of incarcerated First Nations peoples.
"Across the country, governments are not just failing to improve cultural safety, but actively exacerbating the problem.
"NSW has recorded an alarming peak in Aboriginal deaths in custody, Tasmania has ignored inquiry recommendations, and Queensland and Victoria are targeting children with draconian laws that disregard human rights to increase youth incarceration rates.
"The WA coroner's scathing inquest findings into the tragic and preventable death of Cleveland Dodd show the system is killing people and tinkering at the edges is not enough.
"It is time for the Federal government to act. The Deaths in Custody Royal Commission recommendations must be implemented in full as a matter of urgency.
"All governments across the country must be led by community in lowering Australia's shameful incarceration rate.
"Racist over-policing does not make communities safer. Evidence tells us investing in community-led prevention with solutions in areas like housing or disability support would be cheaper and more effective.
"Labor talks a lot about Closing the Gap, where is the action?"
As stated by Greens Justice spokesperson, David Shoebridge:
"You can't sign international human rights treaties and then stand by while First Nations adults and children are locked up and dying at disproportionate rates.
"The Federal Government can't hide behind the idea that sole responsibility for these brutal systems lies with the states and territories when they've signed treaties that make this their responsibility.
"We've seen another system failure just this week with the UN working group on arbitrary detention refused access to prisons in the NT and WA and the Federal Government apparently just twiddling its thumbs.
"Federal Labor can't oversee record deaths in custody and record prison construction across the country and at the same time claim to be closing the gap.
"The Federal Government's moral, ethical and legal failure to drive national justice system reform must end.
"The new Senate Youth Justice Inquiry is our chance to examine the systemic injustice that leads to over-policing, unfair sentencing and ultimately First Nations deaths in custody.
"First Nations communities have the solutions including community-led justice and healing programs, delivered through proper funding. We need to elevate these voices and these solutions over the angry mob of radio and tabloid shock jocks."
