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This report presents various responses to Bringing Them Home, the Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families. This is not done to re-open the substance of the Inquiry, its findings or the basis of its recommendations.

The removal of the children from Wave Hill by MacRobertson Miller aircraft was accompanied by distressing scenes the like of which I wish never to experience again. The engines of the 'plane are not stopped at Wave Hill and the noise combined with the strangeness of an aircraft only accentuated the grief and fear of the children, resulting in near-hysteria in two of them. I am convinced that the…

It has been worth it because the wider community is more aware of the issues and our history, but the opening of the old scars has been difficult. It's vital that the truth comes out, though.

You would be hard pressed to find a newspaper, television or radio station that did not make mention of Sorry Day activities and National Reconciliation events over the past week.

We must all face the truth of the past. It lives on in us. We must learn from it and deal with it, so that there may be justice, reconciliation, healing and hope for the future. We therefore recognise this crucial moment in the history of the Canberra Baptist Church as a God given opportunity for us:

Explore a report for the Office of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner in relation to Indigenous deaths in custody.

Explore an appendix of government-implemented abbreviations in relation to a report in to Indigenous Deaths in Custody.

One is irresistibly reminded of the likening of bureaucratic activity to  the sex life of elephants: much trumpeting, a lot of activity at high level  and no outcome for three years.

The deceased was in the psychiatric unit at Long Bay Prison. He approached a nurse on 25 July 1989 at 2.30pm and stated he was feeling ill. She gave him advice as to the illness and provided him with medication. He later approached another nurse and said he wanted to return to his cell. The nurse checked with a prison officer and he was taken to his cell at about 3.30pm. At 4.10pm he was…

That the death occured as a result of cardiorespiratory failure as a result of pneumonia from the aspiration of fluids in the chest cavity following brain damage. The deceased was found to have contributed to his death by his excessive intake of alcohol and his neglect of his own nourishment. The attending doctor at the hospital and the police forensic surgeon were also found to have acted…

The deceased had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and for driving while disqualified. He was placed in what the Coroner described as an enclosed cell, in which occupant vision is impossible, at around 3.00am and told he would remain there for a period of four hours.

The death was the result of coronary atherosclerosis. There is no evidence which creates any suspicion that there was a causal link between the deceased being held in custody and his death.

The deceased was travelling with a friend in a car on Kloeden St, Ceduna at around 1:30am on the morning of Sunday 2 July. The car was approached by police who later stated that they were attending to a break-in in the street. The officers ran a warrant check on the pair. The friend was allowed to go but the deceased was arrested on warrants for non-payment of fines and a non-appearance on an…

The deceased was serving a life sentence for murder, having been convicted on 26 April 1978. In April 1991 he was granted permission to attend the University of Tasmania to undertake a bridging course. The deceased signed an agreement which regulated his attendance at the course. He breached the agreement on 15 August 1991 when he left his authorised custodian and consumed alcohol. He was…

The deceased and another were remanded at Giles House on charges of breaking and entering offences at Papunya. They escaped from the institution and stole a vehicle. They were joined by other youths at Charles Creek Camp. One of these youths took over the driving. He lost control of the vehicle 63 kilometres east of Papunya when trying to run over a rabbit. The deceased, who was not wearing a…

One of the deaths in this section has now been acknowledged by the South Australian Government in its 1994/95 implementation report as a death in custody (A2SA). The prisoner in the case was 'released' from custody on his deathbed.