Lawyers for dead boy’s family call on NTG to address ‘failures’ following petrol sniffing inquest

Lawyers for the family of a 13-year-old boy who died from petrol sniffing have called on the Territory Government to address the systemic ‘failures’ that led to his death

NT Coroner Greg Cavanagh held a joint inquest into the deaths of three children with a history of petrol sniffing in remote communities.

• Health Department’s ‘indifference’ may have caused children’s deaths: petrol sniffing Inquest
• Mental health boss didn’t understand legislation relating to managing petrol sniffing cases, inquest hears

LAWYERS for the family of a 13-year-old boy who died from petrol sniffing in Maningrida have called on the Territory Government to address the systemic “failures” that led to his death.

Coroner Greg Cavanagh held a joint inquest into the deaths of Miss B, 17, Master W, 12 and Master JK, 13 who died in remote communities after a long history of volatile substance abuse.

Speaking after the inquiry wrapped up on Monday, the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service, who represented the family of Master JK at the hearing, said each child lost their life “despite pleading from the families and the community”.

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“When you have people sniffing in community at such a young age this screams of a range of problems, some of which are clearly the responsibility of the departments we have heard from this past week,” chief executive David Alexander said.

“NAAFLS is asking that the Territory Government starts to address these failures.”

Mr Alexander said the lack of support from government agencies in the lead up to the children’s deaths was “not a question of resources” but “about using those resources appropriately at a local level”.

“NAAFLS believes that any government involvement, even at arm’s length, needs to be based on an understanding of the differences that make each community unique and special,” he said.

“Help the people to embrace their culture, their history and each other to help avoid a repeat of the deaths of Master JK, Master W and Miss B.”

The inquest heard Heath Department staff had ignored recommendations from inquiries into similar deaths dating back to 2005 by continuing to flout their legal requirements.

“NAAFLS challenges the government to listen to the recommendations of several similar inquests by the Coroner and engage and support the community to develop and implement appropriate support services,” Mr Alexander said.

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“Isn’t one death one death to many?”

A spokeswoman for Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the issues raised at the inquest were “extremely complex” and any recommendations would be “carefully considered by all agencies involved”.

“The death of any child is truly a tragedy and I extend my deepest sympathies to the families, friends and communities affected,” she said.

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