Miss Yunupingu Inquest delayed in search for family

A coronial inquest has been delayed by a month as lawyers struggle to find a woman’s family, with the court told they ‘have suffered the greatest loss and it is disrespectful for us not to listen to them’.

Coroner Elisabeth Armitage said the involvement of families had proven to be a powerful and moving element in coronial inquests. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The voice of family and community could be lost in an upcoming coronial hearing unless the loved ones of a domestic violence victim can be located.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency barrister Phillip Boulten requested a delay to the inquest into the death of Miss Yunupingu, which was due to start in July.

The 29-year-old woman had suffered years of violence from her partner Neil Marika before she was fatally stabbed with a steak knife during a drunken argument at Palmerston in October 2018.

The 36-year-old man was sentenced to nine years in jail for reckless manslaughter.

Just days before the inquest into her killing was due to begin, Mr Boulten told coroner Elisabeth Armitage there were issues contacting her loved ones.

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency barrister Phillip Boulten requested a delay to the inquest into the passing of Miss Yunupingu, which was due to start in July. Picture: Jason Walls

“I have to tell you that a search to find those people is ongoing. It’s not entirely fruitless,” Mr Boulten said on Thursday.

“We now know the names of the people who were her natural family, real family, some of whom are alive, but not all.”

Miss Yunupingu is one of four Aboriginal women who are the subject of an ongoing coronial inquiry investigating domestic violence in the Territory.

Ms Armitage agreed to the month-long adjournment, saying the involvement of families had proven to be a powerful and moving element in coronial inquests, producing strong proposed solutions.

“After all, the families are the ones who have suffered the greatest loss and it is disrespectful for us not to listen to them, include them and reflect the same respect that they show our process,” Ms Armitage said.

“Reflect that same respect to their culture and their needs in this process.

“The coronial process (needs) to be mindful and to do what it can to include and support families, and not to be an additional source of misunderstanding or harm to families and communities.”

Counsel Assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer said while the violence against Miss Yunupingu reached its tragic end in urban areas, often it could be traced back to remote, under-resourced communities.

The family of Ngeygo Ragurrk's lawyer James Lowrey, left, with coroner Elisabeth Armitage, counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer and Maria Walz take part in a ceremony at Mindil Beach, where on December 23 2019 the 40-year-old woman was killed by her partner Garsek Nawirridj. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We have already heard about the alarming numbers of women who die in these circumstances, but also significant gaps in the services available to them,” Dr Dwyer said.

“There is a significant amount of violence that happens in remote communities.

“So while we’re looking at four deaths that occurred in urban areas, two in Alice Springs and two in Darwin, it is really important to hear the voice of the community wherever we can.

“(It’s to) engage them in a process of how we address levels of violence and prevent violence and death.”

As the coroner continues to work through the four women’s stories, new funding has been announced for a six-month pilot project by the Community Justice Centre.

Dr Dwyer said the short-term funding was announced this week, which would see how to “meaningfully communicate with, engage and assist Aboriginal people in the coronial process”.

Miss Yunupingu’s hearing, which was set for July, was adjourned to August 14.

Ms Armitage said the delay would not impact the overall timeline of the six-month domestic violence inquest.