Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier today, Senator Siewert asked me a question about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander incarceration. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody made 339 recommendations and published its national report in 1991. The recommendations covered a broad range of areas, including health, education, employment and justice, reflecting the commission's finding that the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system was a result of underlying socioeconomic disadvantage. All governments agreed to report on their efforts to implement the royal commission's recommendations. After five years of reporting on that, from 1993 to 1997, governments ceased the annual reporting process. Governments no longer collect or publish consolidated advice on the continued implementation of the recommendations. However, I can report that the last of these reports stated that, at the time, the Commonwealth considered it had implemented all of the recommendations that it supported. However, I am happy to provide a further briefing to the senator should she wish. As Senator Siewert would be aware, many of the recommendations are also the responsibility of state and territory governments.